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SW OH | I have been feeding a mixture of shelled corn, raw soybeans, hay, and salt, all through a grinder mixer with a hammer mill. Grinding the hay is a pain. I tried switching to ear corn to replace the hay but have had to still add some hay to get the fiber up where it needs to be. Once the animals are used to the feed they get it free choice. I try to sweep the bunk clean every few days and give to smaller calves to keep it fresh. They will eat more that way than if I never let the bunk get empty.
Ruminates need enough fiber to keep the ruman active. Scratch is needed to clean the interior lining of the ruman cleaned out. Feeding pure concentrates will form a paste on the interior lining, cause acidosis and causes a metabolic imbalance the ruman. It also causes laminitis in the soft tissue of the hooves.
Mitchco | |
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cattle on self feeder vs bunk fed.
