Feed change?

[raeleigh26]

If you've followed my other posts, you know that I've got 5 head in varying stages of growth, age, and productivity.
Maggie 3 yr old dexter nursing dairy Angus calf, getting 2 lb 20%cubes tad
Dude,3 month old maggies foster, nursing and given 2 lb 12%creep tad,but isn't eating much of it and either showing his holstein or not gaining like he should at this point.
Lou, 5month old Angus, in good size and weight, shaggy,but healthy appetite, getting 2 1/2 lb 12%grower tad.
And Yubie, 4 month old black baldy, malnurished, coming it out of it, getting 2 lb tad 12% grower
And copper, 2 weeks old bottle calf, he'll eat anything.

My question is this: would it be safe to switch from dry feed to 20% vitalix tubs? For all of them or some of them? Dude will lick I think better than he eats (gets bored or distracted and never finishes) , Idk if Yubie will continue to thrive on it, Lou I'm sure will be fine, Maggie will have to have dry feed or she won't let dude nurse (I intend to stop feeding her when I'm ready to wean him, 2 weeks after his vaccinations/dehorn/castration, which is being scheduled today)
I'm considering this for cost differences, simplicity, (it's a pain to separate them so they each get their rations) and to prep them for being turned out to pasture in a month after we burn the fields.
Bad idea?

 

[raeleigh26]

Eh? No one? On 3 different boards?
Right now this is the routine. ..
Carry 4 cans and bottle to the pens, tie Maggie and get out of dudes way, give half of maggies feed to her,
Dodge copper, lure Yubie into barn, close stall, hopefully Lou doesn't interfere.
Dodge copper,deal with bruising in butt and legs from head butting.
Run Lou into other pen, easier if she'd follow the bucket like Yubie, but nothing doing.
Bring copper back into this pen without letting Lou through cuz she hasn't figured out that her feed is right where it's always been. ..roll eyes and sigh heavily. ..
Give copper the danged bottle, avoid propping it anywhere near hip bone or groin, it's already too sore.
By the time he sucks the bottle inside out in spite of the ventilation holes, is time to give Maggie the rest of her feed and dude should have her nearly empty,
Once bottle and maggies udder are empty, stand for 45 minutes and wait for dude to eat as much as he will, about a pound, maybe, more at night than in the morning,
Watch everyone and worry about every little thing. Deal with calf slobbered sopping wet knees and sleeves.
Repeat in 12 hours.

 

[samssimonsays]

I know nothing about cows but I will tag a few people who might or who may know of someone who does.


@greybeard @COWGUY1123 @Latestarter @Azriel @purplequeenvt @elevan

 

[jhm47]

I'd let Dude have access to his creep feed 24/7. Creep feeds are formulated with a limiter in them to control excess consumption, and he might just need to eat more times a day than twice, especially after he empties out his foster mom. Also, I've had experience with cows and foster calves for 60+ years, and I've never seen a calf that can't find a way to get enough nourishment from a cow if given sufficient time to work on her. I'd get quite sick of having to tie up the cow, when the calf will eventually wear her out and get her on his own schedule. Calves have a vested interest in sucking, and will soon get her to cooperate. JMHO, and ---Good luck!

 

[Latestarter]

Thanks for the reply @jhm47 , I was going to tag you and @WildRoseBeef (you both are my "go to tags" when folks post cattle Qs.) Sorry @Samantha drawz the primary extent of my cow knowledge is how great they taste when seasoned and grilled to perfection. Oh, and that I love milk

@raeleigh26 didn't I recently see a post by you looking for more mini cattle? From the sounds of it, you have a pretty full plate already!

 

[raeleigh26]

Lol yes, but I've only got one dexter cow and bull, copper is dexter jersey cross, Lou and Yubie, I might get one cross bred calf out of them before I sell them, but I only want dexters. ...lol

 

[samssimonsays]

Thanks for the reply @jhm47 , I was going to tag you and @WildRoseBeef (you both are my "go to tags" when folks post cattle Qs.) Sorry @Samantha drawz the primary extent of my cow knowledge is how great they taste when seasoned and grilled to perfection. Oh, and that I love milk

@raeleigh26 didn't I recently see a post by you looking for more mini cattle? From the sounds of it, you have a pretty full plate already!

Thank you for responding ! I know you know most of the members and their knowledge in each area so you would at least be able to tag those you knew of. I drew a total blank

 

[WildRoseBeef]

Do NOT switch over. The vitalix tubs don't have the energy or fibre content to make them a full replacement for the dry feed you're already giving them. I know you're feeding them now already, but I'm not a big fan of them. Where you wanting to feed them so that the animals get the vitamins more than the micro-minerals? Just curious.