Calf to beef thread

You can but it take a it if know how. Most miller have specific bull rations it usually has a high oil content and is it Metealac. They are usually horrible expensive expect to pay up on 400/ ton for such rations. When feeding 1.3-1.5 tons it gets expensive. They have specialist yeasts, an acid buffer( basically bredsoda or limestone flour), and a few other additives to prevent them getting stomach issues or acidosis.

Trying to get fat cover on them is the issue and you do not want them to get a setback. Best thing I ever fed them was crimped barley. But you have to buy the summer beforehand in July, get it crimped and put it in a clamp. I bought soya to balance it. I then fed minerals and this yeast from Agriking about a cup among 40 of them. Used mix it through the minerals and limestone flour. That was 15 years ago crows were not near the issue they are now. With tge crimped barley acidosis is not a significant issue. Brilliant stuff but you cannot runout of it which I did and had to buy milled barley for the last 2-3 weeks and drop the feeding rate. Basically you are fighting nature. The bulls I was doing were 23-26 months at slaughter. 30 moths was the limit at the time. I did small number for a couple of years after and used to buy a beef nut and maize. Basically any sort of ad lib is a tough game.

That's a few more calves than I'm dealing with, it will probably still work but you'll be the guts of 30 min heating/filling water for 80 calves.

here’s a handy product for anyone rearing calves. Anyone have one? Only issue I see is if they knocked it off but it’s a good idea.

How about calf jackets… Buying calves at 3 weeks, weaning 6-8 weeks later… Would jackets be of any use at those ages..

Trying to simplify things this year, anyone here have a paddle on a drill to mix up milk?

I'm only feeding 20 so looking for cheap solutions! Last few years I've been bringing hot water with me from my house, regards having something like a burco boiler and a timer switch, would those timer switches manage the current required for a burco boiler? Thanks in advance

Calves shouldn't need jackets at that stage imv. Iv heard of people moving away from putting jackets on all the calves. Maybe smaller or calves that need tlc

Do what lads do for lambing pens and set up a length of 6 inch pipe through all the pens and cut out holes for the calves to drink. Only have to fill at one end then. Can put a ball cock into it if your feeling fancy.

10mm solid bar with 2 bits of 25mm by 6mm bout 100mm long on the end of a cordless drill.
hot water piped to a tap on the side of the house fed from the solid fuel cooker.

You really shouldn't use any of the smart switches directly with an Immersion as they won't last. I wouldn't even use the 16A variety as they are not really rated for extended use of resistive loads, for a little extra put in a contactor and then control it with the smart switch.

yea that sounds right.