Creep Feeding Calves: What to Consider
There are many factors that affect decision making around creep feeding suckled calves and what works on one farm my not suit another. It has been a dry summer in many areas which has significantly affected grass growth. With April born calves now four months old only half of their nutritional requirements are being met by milk, and they rely other sources of nutrition now to meet their potential. There are a few main reasons why to consider creep feeding:
- To meet calves’ nutritional needs if pasture is poor
- To make the most of conversion of feed to meat at this age (push calves on)
- To get calves used to feed and help with the transition to weaning
If there is good pasture in front of calves this is the most cost-effective way meet their nutritional needs along with milk. Creep feeding directly substitutes grass intakes and calves can do very well on grass alone without creep feed if conditions allow (i.e. weather, cow condition and good grass quality and availability). However, if pasture quality and quantity is inadequate, the gap in nutrition needs to be filled. Inadequate nutrition from grass can be down to grazing management, weather, geographical situation (or likely a combination of all!) and all must be considered in decision making. Inadequate nutrition will show in poor cow condition and calf growth rates, however once this is seen it can often be too late.
Benefits of Creep Feeding
- Weaning weights can be increased by around 25kg.
- Weaning check is lowered through less stress from weaning – familiar with concentrate feed and rumen microbes are adapted for a change in diet.
- When there is less stress at weaning there is a reduced incidence of pneumonia.
- Most efficient age for converting feed (around 4kg of feed for 1kg growth at this age due to the lower maintenance requirements of calves compared to larger, older animals).
There may be circumstances where creep feeding may not always be appropriate (e.g. forage-based systems or organic systems). It is worth noting that if calves are not being creep fed then thought needs to be given ensure adequate mineral supply. As supply from milk decreases and reliance on grass increases there is likely to be a shortage in trace elements. Trace elements such as zinc and selenium are important for fighting disease and copper essential for growth.
When to Start Creep Feeding
Timing will depend on calf age, growth potential of calves and grass availability. Starting six-to-ten weeks prior to weaning for calves destined to be pushed on through the winter. Starting four to six weeks before weaning will still help with the weaning check. As a rough guide allow 100-150kg of creep feed per calf for a six-to-ten-week period. If milk and grass is limiting calves may consume too much creep feed. If calves are going to be on a silage-based ration introduce them to silage prior to housing while they are with their mothers, so they are familiar with it and adjust to silage as their forage.
Suckler cows that are in poorer condition than normal (also think about what can be done to avoid this), creep feeding will improve calf performance and take pressure of the mothers. If grass supplies are limited, then creep feeding will improve the performance of the calves.
Some farmers have success with creep grazing with electric fencing using some tall posts so calves can creep graze ahead of the cows. Creep gates can also be used giving calves access to better grazing. Forward creep grazing calves can save money on using concentrates if grass quality and availability allow.
What to Feed
The specification of a creep feed when calves are getting good grass and milk with can be around 14-16% crude protein (as fed) and 12.5MJ metabolisable energy/kgDM. Higher protein can be used to start with (16-18% crude protein) to encourage intakes and lower risk of acidosis. There are several combinations that can be used for home mixes, seek advice to maximise using what feeds are available on farm.
If creep feeding with an adlib hopper rumen acidosis and gorging can be a risk. To prevent problems:
- Ensure lower starch feed especially to start with (less than 50% cereals).
- Do not over process cereals to prevent too much acid production.
- Never allow the creep feeder to become empty.
- Keep feed fresh, check for bridging.
- Good, clean water supply close by to the feeder.
Creep Feeding Safely: Environmental Factors
Think about where the creep feeder(s) are positioned - if cattle are in a large area, cows and calves may only come to the creep feeder once a day increasing the risk of calves gorging feed especially if weather is bad. Later in the season, is when grazing is poorer, calves will eat too much creep which is high cost as well as high risk. Supplying good forage at this time is essential.
Minerals
When home mixing, use a general-purpose cattle mineral added at 25kg/tonne (or per manufacturers instruction) to supply 25g of mineral per 1kg of feed consumed. If using proprietary feeds check whether it is mineralised for the purpose of creep feeding calves.
Five Top Tips
- Carry out an appraisal of calf creep feeding.
- If grass supplies are limited, then creep feeding will improve calf performance and take pressure off cows.
- Calf daily liveweight gains can be significantly increased due to feed efficiency at this age.
- Weaning check is lower for creep feed calves through less stress from weaning.
- Speak to a nutritionist for advice on creep feeding and help to formulate creep feeds to avoid rumen acidosis and ensure mineral requirements are being met.
For more information on creep feeding calves:
- Type of feed to use in calf creep feeders
- Why to creep feed spring born suckled calves
- Feeding suckler cows and calves
Karen Stewart, Ruminant Nutritionist, Karen.Stewart@sac.co.uk
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Posted by Unearthed News on 19/08/2025
