Winter Feed? - What is best?

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:44 pm

What would you recommend I give a heifer in winter? Hay, haylage, sugarbeet, hard food etc.?

Thanks in advance,
Jamie

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:04 pm

Ours have hay, haylage or silage all winter. If they lose a bit of condition, which ours generally do towards the end, but we don't worry about, then something else to supplement the diet would help if that's what you wish to do.

Edited By Broomcroft on 1215104704

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:11 pm

What kind of supplement do you recommend?

Thanks,
Jamie

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:25 pm

We would just use small amounts of a manufactured hard feed from our local feed merchant, but there are loads of other things which I sure people are about to post for you. They won't need much. Main thing is the bulk and roughage from the forage of whatever type you use. Watch they don't get fat especially if they are in calf or going to be. Nothing fat on my farm gets pregnant and when they do it's all problems.

We use such hard feed when an animal looks like they really need a lift or have been ill and it works wonders.

Edited By Broomcroft on 1215106002

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:59 pm

For the first time last winter we gave ours sugar beet pellets in addition to their usual haylage (I'm sure last year's haylage was less good because of the poor summer) usually they only got hay or haylage and did very well on it.