However, research data from Oklahoma and Nebraska indicate that milk intake by creep and non-creep fed calves is similar. Calves prefer milk first, highly palatable creep second, and forage third. When milk and forage are available, creep feed becomes a substitute for forage. This may be advantageous when only when forage supplies need to be stretched. Types of Creep Feeds Grain Based Creeps .
Grains can be creep fed alone.
When an adequate amount of good to high quality forage is available, conversions will usually not be economical. Limit-Fed High Protein Creep Feeds. Oklahoma and Nebraska research data indicate that nursing calves respond favorably to high-protein supplements. Providing calves with 0.88 pounds of cottonseed meal resulted in calves which were 38 pounds heavier at weaning and had conversions of 2.79 pounds of creep feed per pound of added gain. These calves were creep fed for 120 days.