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. Intake should be limited to about 1 pound per day or feed conversions will be much poorer. Intake can be limited by including 10 to 15 percent salt in the creep feed.
Salt is corrosive to metal type creep feeders.
Wood, plastic, or rubber type feeders are more acceptable for feeding salt-limited creep feeds. Generally fields adjacent to pastures which the cow-calf pairs will graze are planted to annual forages and calves are allowed access through creep gates. Creep gates allow calves to enter but restrict access by cows. Research indicates that high quality green creep will result in increases in weaning weight similar to grain based creep feeds. Commercial Creep Feeds.