Creep feeding: extra feed before weaning
Creep feeding gives suckling calves or lambs extra feed in a separate pen that their mothers cannot enter. The feed supports growth before weaning while the young continue to suckle. It is especially useful when the mother's milk supply is limited.
How do you set up a creep area?
A creep gate or fence lets young animals reach the feeder while keeping their mothers out. For example, lambs eating a few hundred grams of concentrate a day from a creep feeder before weaning gain more weight than the ewe's milk alone supports.
How do you measure the result?
Weigh calves or lambs when creep feeding starts and again at weaning, and note the feed given to each group. Compare weight gain with feed cost to see whether creep feeding pays on your farm.
Questions from the farm
Does creep feeding replace milk?
Creep feed adds to the milk young animals receive. Calves and lambs keep suckling while the extra feed supplies energy and protein for growth before weaning.
When is creep feeding worth it?
Creep feeding is most useful when the mother's milk supply is limited or buyers pay more for heavier animals at weaning. Weigh your groups and compare the feed cost with the weight gained.
How HerdMobile helps
Bring your animals, feed stocks and farm accounts together on your Android phone. HerdMobile keeps your daily work moving offline: record events, compare feed quantities and follow sales and payments in one place. Use your own feeds and herd information to prepare a ration, then keep a backup file under your control.
Use HerdMobile to track creep feed and its dry-matter content. Alongside your notes on weaning weights, this helps you compare the feed used with the weight gained.
