How to Get a Calf to Eat Feed

Offer your calf a grain starter mix at 1 week old and grain by the third week to help familiarize the calf with food, advise researchers at Auburn University. Make sure to increase amount of feed slowly so the calf does not suffer gastrointestinal upsets, advises University of Florida associate professors Matthew J. Hersom and Todd Thrift.

Provide the calf with long hay by approximately 3 weeks of age. Offering the calf quality long grass hay for several days after weaning also helps calves learn to eat feed, according to University of Nebraska beef and range management specialist Karla H. Jenkins, veterinarian Dee Griffin and beef specialist L. Aaron Stalker.

Select the right feed for the calf to encourage eating and reduce problems. Choose feed that contains large enough particles to help prevent the calf from inhaling or choking, and avoid ground grains and any feed that contains dust or mold. Consider using feeds with molasses or fat to reduce dust and make the food more appealing, advise Hersom and Thrift. Select appropriate grain feeds such as cracked corn, rolled oats and barley. Avoid fermented feed, as calves often do not like them, according to Jenkins et al.

Reduce stressing the calf, which may cause the calf to refuse food. Familiarize the calf with a new area prior to weaning. Consider using a slow weaning process, such as separating the calf and cow by a fence. Move the cow so the calf remains in an area where it is familiar with the location of food and water, advises Jenkins et al.

Use a nose piece designed to allow the calf to eat and drink water, but not nurse, to make the calf hungrier and encourage eating prior to weaning, suggests Jenkins et al.

Use dirt to raise the ground level, if necessary, to ensure the calf can easily reach the food bunk and water, advises Jenkins et al.

Feed the calf at least two times each day, generally with equal amounts, or give more during the cooler part of the day, according to Hersom and Thrift. Provide the nursing calf with an opportunity to learn to eat feed or graze by placing food in an area with gates that only the calves can pass through to access, suggests Greg Lardy, an Extension Beef Specialist at Dickinson Research Extension Center.