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Feeding Cattle Properly

Just as there are several types of facilities available to house cattle, so are there several kinds of systems for feeding them.

Feeding facilities are usually:

  1. Bunks
  2. Self-feeders

Bunks are more versatile than self-feeders since they can be used to provide complete mixed rations, just energy and supplement portions, or for limiting the amount of any combination.

Bunks can be either fence-line, cattle eat from one side, or in-lot bunks.

Conveying systems or feed wagons can be used to fill either type of bunk.

Self-feeders offer the greatest advantage in labor-saving time as they do not need to be filled every day. This is ideal for most people who agree bunk-fed cattle should be fed at least twice a day.

A summary of advantages and disadvantages of the two systems are shown below:

BUNKS

Advantages
  1. Versatile - can be used in many ways.
  2. Convenient - fence line bunks or those filled with a conveyer can be filled without entering the lot.
  3. Cattle can be observed while feeding to detect those that may be ill.
  4. Fresh feed can be supplied every time bunks are filled.
  5. Intake of cattle can be controlled.
  6. Daily feed intake can be measured.
Disadvantages
  1. Bunk needs to be filled at least once a day.
  2. Exposed bunks have to be cleaned out after heavy rains, resulting in wasted feed.
  3. Loss of exposed feed from wind may cause extra shrink in feed supply.
  4. Space requirements have to be checked to make sure all cattle have enough room to eat.
  5. Cattle sometimes sort feed in bunks, or they may spill feed over the edges.

SELF-FEEDERS

Advantages
  1. Less labor required.
  2. Cattle always have feed available.
  3. Self-feeders can be positioned in sheltered spots more readily than bunks.
  4. Ideal for high energy rations.
  5. Less feed is exposed to wind and rain.
  6. Most advantageous when used for high-energy finishing rations.
Disadvantages
  1. Cattle must be on full-feed before switching to self-feeders.
  2. Daily feed consumption cannot be watched as carefully.
  3. More difficult to observe sick cattle or those "off-feed" since cattle do not eat at the same time.
  4. If roughage is fed separately, some cattle will be "roughage burners" and eat a disproportionate amount of roughage.
  5. More difficult to administer medicated feeds if needed immediately.

   
Some general recommendations for either bunk or self-feeding are below:

Bunks
  1. Allow 4 to 6 inches of space per animal if they are being full-fed a  roughage grain mixture, or if they are on full-feed grain with roughage fed separately.
  2. Allow 24 inches per animal if feed is being limited so all cattle will be able to eat during feeding.
  3. Bunks should be 15 to 18 inches high for calves under 500 lb 24 to 30 inches for bigger cattle. Bunks designed for bigger cattle may be dug in to the ground for calves.
  4. Depending on bunk construction, drainage holes may be necessary. During wet or threatening weather, feed cattle more often with less feed per feeding to reduce spoilage.
  5. Clean bunks periodically and after every rain to eliminate moldy or musty feed.

 

Self-Feeding
  1. Allow 3 to 4 inches of self-feeder space per animal.
  2. Self-feeders should be set down so that cattle are forced to lick the feed from under adjustment plate. (If feed is allowed to pour into the lip of the feeder, cattle will continually eat the fresh feed and allow stale feed to accumulate.)
  3. Have a bunk in the feedlot to place stale feed from self-feeders.
  4. If cattle are not on full-feed before starting on a self-feeder, use a ration containing about 40% roughage in the first load emptied the self-feeder. This will ensure cattle do not take on too much energy right away.
  5. Clean out self-feeder between groups of cattle.