The Ration for Weaned Calves Up to 6 Months of Age
By Saleh Kamal Al-Saleh, dairy farm and cheese factory owner, founder of Lebnara · Last updated:
The four months after weaning are the cheapest period to build a calf's weight. At this age a calf turns feed into meat and bone more efficiently than at any later age, and any growth check here is hard to recover, and delays breeding a heifer or selling a beef calf.
When is a calf ready to wean?
Weaning is decided by how much feed the calf eats, not by age. A calf is ready when it eats 1 to 1.5 kg of starter a day for three days in a row, which usually happens between week 8 and 10.
- Reduce milk gradually over 7 to 10 days, and do not stop it all at once.
- Do not combine weaning, moving and vaccination in one week. Each is a stress, and together they cause stunted growth and scours.
- Leave the calf in its pen for a week after weaning, then move it to a small group of 4 to 6 calves of similar size.
The calf's needs from weaning to 6 months
Figures are indicative for Holstein calves and crosses. The aim is for the calf to reach 180 to 200 kg at 6 months.
| Indicator | 2 – 4 months | 4 – 6 months |
|---|---|---|
| Concentrate protein | 18 – 20% | 16 – 18% |
| Daily concentrate | 2 – 2.5 kg | 2.5 – 3 kg |
| Daily hay | 0.5 – 2 kg, rising gradually | 2 – 3 kg or by appetite |
| Target daily gain | 0.8 – 0.9 kg | 0.9 – 1 kg |
Ration components
- Starter then grower feed: pelleted or coarsely ground, not fine like flour, containing corn, barley and soybean meal with minerals and vitamins, and preferably a coccidiostat.
- Hay: grass, oat or good alfalfa hay, chopped and free of dust and mould, introduced gradually because the rumen is still developing.
- Silage: can be introduced in small amounts (2 to 4 kg) after 4 months of age, provided it is well fermented.
- Water: clean and available at all times. A calf that does not drink does not eat.
Heifer or beef calf?
Up to 6 months of age feeding is similar. After that the difference begins: the heifer's ration is set for frame growth without fatness, while concentrate is raised gradually for the beef calf.
Signs the ration does not suit the calf
- A bloated belly and rough coat: usually poor hay and too little concentrate.
- Repeated scours after weaning: a sudden change of feed, or coccidiosis.
- Growth under 0.7 kg a day: review the concentrate amount and protein level, and weigh the calves once a month.
Track calf growth in Lebnara
Record each calf's weight monthly in the farm module, to know its actual growth rate and spot lagging calves early.
Frequently asked questions
- How many kilos of feed does a calf eat after weaning?
- Between 2 and 3 kg of concentrate a day, rising with age, plus hay.
- Should I give weaned calves straw?
- Straw is poor in protein and energy. Good hay is better, and straw is used only in small amounts.
- When do I give a calf silage?
- After 4 months of age and in a small amount, watching the manure and appetite.
Calculate your cattle feed ration now
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