Anyone own cattle? Would love some insight

[Cowgirls Boots]

We have 3 calves at our farm. All steers and all pets. They are jerseys.

They are on pasture 24/7 and grained twice a day with a 16% sweet feed mix the guy at the feed store recommended because calf starter was doing nothing for them.

To me, they always look a bit ribby and I'm not sure what to do for that. They've been dewormed regularly and I was going to do it again just to be safe. I will grab photos of them later to show y'all what I mean.

One calf is 5 months and the other two are 3 months old. And Info on what to do to help fatten them up would be great. I will also weigh their feed to give exact amounts.

 

[donrae]

Have you looked at pictures of what Jersey steers are supposed to look like? Can you post pics of your guys?

Milk breeds always look ribby and too much hipbone to me, especially during growth spurts.

 

[wyoDreamer]

You can also post on the sister site Backyard Herds. See link on the bottom of the page.

Dairy breeds will remain more boney than a beef steer. Just the way they are built. They can also be a leaner meat, with less marbling. Not familiar with Jerseys, but I had a friend who raised a Holstein calf and get really good meat, but that steer always looked underfed when compared to the Angus steer it was raised with.

 

[Cowgirls Boots]

But these guys are thin. The younger ones, who are twins- are thin anyway.

The young ones are 3 months and the oldest is 5 months. The oldest looks ok but the babies are too skinny.

They've been dewormed regularly and as recently as last month. They will be dewormed again soon.

They are also getting 4 pounds each of grain am and 4 pounds each again at night. They are getting a 16% all stock sweet feed. As per the recommendations of the guy at the feed store. The calf starter wasn't doing anything for them. Here are photos from today.

 

[cassie]

They are very thin even for Jerseys. Is that the pasture they are on? The grass looks short and overgrazed in the picture. If the picture is accurate, there is not enough feed in that field and you need to feed some hay.

 

[Cowgirls Boots]

It goes out a good ways and is very long in some spots. It's not all grazed down like that. I've tried feeding hay in addition to the grass and they won't eat it and then my horses end up eating it because they leave it.

 

[CluckerLover]

We have had cattle most of my life. They do look under weight. I would get them some good hay like alfalfa and increase their feed up to a gallon or more each twice a day. You would have to increase it slowly. You can use sweet feed and you can add roled corn. Good grass to graze is great but some just don't have it. It can get costly.

 

[Cowgirls Boots]

Here's the pasture they are on.

 

[Cowgirls Boots]

I was thinking of adding alfalfa to their diet. Either pellets or cubes. (Cheaper then bakes and easier to feed, they're pastured with two horses) Which has a higher fat? Cracked corn or alfalfa? Or should I do both? I feel like I've tried everything and they just won't gain weight. Ugh.

 

[CluckerLover]

I don't know which is higher. We fed Sudan hay which we grew but I know alfalfa is much better. You should check around and see which is most cost efficient. Roled corn should not be expensive.