Feeding Fresh Cow

[mamatomany]

When my cow calves here in a few days, or hours, or whenever it's her time. I was wondering what I should be feeding her. She is receiving 1/5 c. of sweet feed am. and pm. with some alfalfa cubes on top. I plan on sharing her milk with her calf (after a month or so) - that being said, was wondering how much she should be getting and of what type. Also the calf, what should she get? please take note that I said "she!" pink thoughts, pink thoughts!

[rezzfullacres]

That is a hard question to answer. Are you going to milk once or twice a day? We keep enough feed in front of our cows so that they are kept busy until we are finished. They tend to hold condition pretty good until the calf starts getting bigger..We milk once a day, seperating the calf. With cows that are grain hogs we will put a flake of hay in the feed trough and than put the grain in and it really slows them down as they have to search for the grain and they also get a mouthful of hay to occupy time. We feed a 16% dairy feed and alfalfa pellets mixed at about a 3 to 1 ratio.. The dexters get about a coffee can full, the jersey gets double that but she is harder to hold condition on...

[Star Creek Dexters]

We feed our mama's one clip of alfalfa when in the stanchion. If they start to loose condition, then I ad 1 scoop, about 1/2 gallon, of the 18% feed mix I put together. I really hate soy and corn, so I keep those out of all my animals diets.
This is what I mix:

2# Alfalfa Pellets
1# Steam Rolled Oats
1# Split Black Eyed Peas
1# BOSS (Black Oil Sunflower Seeds)
We mix this into a big tub and feed accordingly. It provides a 18% Protien.

1 tsp dolomite (Calcium) on each serving
1 tsp vit A-D-E, on each serving. We usr Wheat Germ Oil which is a natural form of Vit E, it has extra A and D added in.

We also always have available free choice: Redmond Salt, Loose Minerals, Baking Soda, and Kelp

Since we drink what they eat, take the time to know what in you pellets and sweet feed.
If you plan to separate the calf for 12 hours, all the calf will need is free choice hay while separated and water.
Thinking girl thoughts with you!

[dexterlady]

Kimberly, why do you feed blackeyed peas to your cows? And on the BOSS , are the shelled or still have the hulls on them? How interesting, I never knew you could feed cows these two things. Now is this just for extra milk production or just what ou feed all your cows,even if they aren't in milk? Thanks........Donna

[Star Creek Dexters]

Black Eyed Peas are a great source of protien, 22% amd they have a much lower rate of GMO production, so they are easier for me to get in a non GMO form.
The BOSS is not shelled. They are definitely everything's favorite food.
I actually feed this mix to all my chickens and goats. The only cows that get it are lactating cows that are having a hard time holding condition. When it's all said and done, it works out to about a 18%
With hay going up to the prices it is, $110-120 a round here, I may look at supplementing some of my cows diet with this mix and feeding hay. May actually turn out to be more cost effective.

Modified to add "The BOSS is NOT shelled"

[otf]

Being nosey....what do you pay for shelled BOSS now? We were paying $25 for 50# of BOSS (still in the shell) just a week or so ago. Appalling how much it increased!

[mamatomany]

That sounds about what I feed my dairy goats, whole oats, beet pulp, BOSS, alfalfa pellets, and some cracked corn. I will have to check prices on the peas tho. interesting. When I have some more time, would love to chat with you Kimberly

[Star Creek Dexters]

I pay about that for BOSS as well. All together, this mix cost me about $90 for 250#'s of grain. Pea's are about $18 a bag. Feeding 13 goats and 50 chickens, plus one of my cows right now, that last me 2 weeks.

[gulfcapt]

Why do you think that cow is kissing Kim in her pic?
She feeds them better then I eat!!!!! lolol