Weaned calves--what's the best grain?

WildRoseBeef

WildRoseBeef

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They're trainable all right, both in a good and bad way. If they get too rough with their play, like head-butting or shaking heads at you and all that, it may seem cute now, but when they're 900 pound animals it can be really scary for a first-timer like yourself and nothing you'd want your kids to be around.
 
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jhm47

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Since this thread has now morphed into a "handling and training" one, I would like to interject my 2 cents worth: Be sure to dehorn and castrate these calves for your safety. I note that the owner is a novice in the raising of cattle. Many novices like this are not prepared for the size, strength, and speed of full-grown cattle. This often results in people getting hurt or worse. One of the best precautions that a person can take is to neuter and dehorn these "cute" little calves before something drastic happens. And--cattle are not well suited as pets. If you want a pet, get a cat or dog. They are less likely to become dangerous than cattle.
 
greybeard

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I've never seen any cattle feed at tractor supply that exceeded 12% protein except Nutrebeef's©
Creep and Transition feed and each was 14% CP with 2.5% fat. Their Textured feed is great for heavy bred cows and for bull development or getting bulls back in to condition before turnout, but I really cant recommend it for growing out calves. For one thing cost is too high for what you and the calves are getting out of it. Try to find a local feed mill or bigger feedstore that can provide a good grower/developer type feed with higher tp. With 'hot' (high protein) feeds, make sure there is plenty of hay available. The grower type feeds get their protein from soybean meal, cottonseed meal or a combination of both, with some natural cracked or rolled grain mixed in.
 
Qchickiemama

Qchickiemama

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greybeard said:
I've never seen any cattle feed at tractor supply that exceeded 12% protein except Nutrebeef's©
Creep and Transition feed and each was 14% CP with 2.5% fat. Their Textured feed is great for heavy bred cows and for bull development or getting bulls back in to condition before turnout, but I really cant recommend it for growing out calves. For one thing cost is too high for what you and the calves are getting out of it. Try to find a local feed mill or bigger feedstore that can provide a good grower/developer type feed with higher tp. With 'hot' (high protein) feeds, make sure there is plenty of hay available. The grower type feeds get their protein from soybean meal, cottonseed meal or a combination of both, with some natural cracked or rolled grain mixed in.
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I do have a feed mill nearby. What should I request when I go there? A certain % protein? Or can I trust that they'll know what calves will need?
 
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