Urea can be added to silage at the rate of 1.0 percent at the time ensiling. Do not use in creep diets because of reduced intake of complete diet or potential urea toxicity. Always mix thoroughly with other dietary ingredients of the same physical form to prevent ingredient separation. The most economical form of hand-fed supplements is pellets or cake. Protein blocks, while more expensive than meal or pellets, may save labor, can be used to supplement pastures or ranges, and may be used as a management tool to improve pasture or range utilization.
Blocks are available in varying degrees of hardness to help regulate consumption.
However, blocks that are too hard may reduce consumption as well as result in broken teeth. When using salt to limit consumption, an adequate water supply must be available. Precise regulation of intake by this method is difficult, but it may reduce labor requirements.