Calf Starter, Creep Feed?

haviris

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I can not find calf starter feed, I've tried in the past w/ previous bottle calves, but this time I expanded my search and still can't find anyone that carries calf starter, when I ask they either look at me like I've grown an extra head, or try to sell me more milk replacer. So I bought some 14% creep feed, can I feed her this? What's the difference?

Why is it so hard to find calf starter?
 

Farmer Kitty

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Where are you at?

Calf starter can be up to 22% protein but, the creep feed will work. Is it made for calves, goats, sheep, etc.?
 

haviris

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I'm in Arkansas, the creep feed is for calves, I got it at Atwoods, they had 12% and 14%, and I got the 14%.
 

haviris

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So am I!

So do I give it free choice? Or limit it? I want her to grow well so she can be bred at the normal time, I don't want her to be a pot bellied stunted looking weanling and yearling like alot of bottle calves I see!
 

Farmer Kitty

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With the dairy calves I usually figure 5-6#'s a day limit. Once they are eating that then I wean them. Usually around 2 months. You may want to start with a small amount in front of her and see how much she eats a day. If you put to much out at a time it could get yucky before she eats it. Just increase the amount as she picks up eating it.
 

haviris

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So I can increase it as she eats it, do I have to worry about over doing it?
 

Farmer Kitty

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Yes, increase it as she eats it. Up to 5-6 pounds a day. She'll do fine.
 

haviris

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Thank you so much! I'll start offering it to her today!
 

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at what age can you offer creep feed. I Have two calfs. One is around 3 wks and the other around 2 weeks. they areboth bulls, but have been banded. They have two bottles a day, but act lke they are always hungry. We tried to see if they would drink water from a bucket, but they wouldn't.
 
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