Steer with the runs...

[LaurenE]

I have a steer that I posted about two weeks ago or so, that was always coming off of feed. We ended up changing the feed and in a little over a month, he has gained about 80 pounds. We recently added a corn mash feed to his ration, expecting that it would give him the runs for a few days because of his sensitive stomach, but it has been about a week and he still has it. He is eating all or most of his feed, about a flake of hay a day, and drinking a full bucket of water each day. I was wondering if there is something that I should try to get him back on track. Thanks.

 

[msscamp]

How much corn? Was this an abrupt change? You might try some Probios to repopulate the bacteria needed to digest the corn.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a steer that I posted about two weeks ago or so, that was always coming off of feed. We ended up changing the feed and in a little over a month, he has gained about 80 pounds. We recently added a corn mash feed to his ration, expecting that it would give him the runs for a few days because of his sensitive stomach, but it has been about a week and he still has it. He is eating all or most of his feed, about a flake of hay a day, and drinking a full bucket of water each day. I was wondering if there is something that I should try to get him back on track. Thanks.

Why is this animal only getting a flake of hay per day?

Too little in my opinion. Rumen (sp?) does not do well on too little roughage. He needs roughage and he needs - may have it but your post does not indicate it - companion animal and exercise. If he is penned up tight you will have probs - get him outside and get him moving.

More info will give you more of a response.

Age?
Weight?
Size?
Breed?
Living conditions?
Pic?

Best regards,

Bez'

 

[msscamp]

The thread 'Steer Just Won't Eat' on this board will answer a lot of your questions, Bez'.

 

[mitchwi]

...and drinking a full bucket of water each day. I was wondering if there is something that I should try to get him back on track. Thanks.

"a full bucket of water" how big a bucket? I was told cattle will drink on average 15 to 30 gallons of water a day (depending on size and weather). Whenever someone says "a bucket" I picture a 5 gal pail.

 

[LaurenE]

No, the bucket holds about 20 gallons or so I beleive. He is actually doing alot better and is gaining weight. I decreased the amount of corn and I am going to be increasing it back in gradually, so hopefully he will continue to do well.

 

[msscamp]

No, the bucket holds about 20 gallons or so I beleive. He is actually doing alot better and is gaining weight. I decreased the amount of corn and I am going to be increasing it back in gradually, so hopefully he will continue to do well.

Sounds like a much bigger 'bucket' than I've ever seen. You might want to make sure of that. One yearling aged steer will go through 25 or so gallons of water a day. Bez' is right, this steer needs more than one flake of hay a day or access to good pasture - one or the other.