Creep Feeding Done Right: Lessons from the Pasture
Creep Feeding Done Right: Lessons from the Pasture
For cattle producers looking to improve calf performance, creep feeding often comes down to one simple question: Is it worth it? For Virginia cattleman, Allen Lucas, the answer is clear: “Most years, it ends up being a win-win situation for us.”
With the potential for increased weight gains, reduced stress at weaning, and stronger overall calf health, creep feeding can deliver measurable returns. The key is understanding when to use it, how to manage it, and what equipment best fits your operation.
What is Creep Feeding?
Creep feeding is a method of providing supplemental feed to unweaned livestock, usually in the form of grain, protein supplements, or high-quality forages. A Creep feeders allow calves to access the supplemental feed through a gate large enough to allow calves to enter, but small enough to restrict access to cows. Creep feeding is most commonly used when raising beef calves, but is also sometimes used with pigs, goats, and sheep.
Leading agricultural research shows that a lactating beef cow can only supply 50% of the nutrients a three to four-month-old calf needs to maximize growth. Depending on the time of year and location, forage may not be enough to supply the other 50%. The goal of creep feeding, then, is to increase weight gain, support growth when forage or milk is limited, and improve performance at weaning.
For Phil Brodhecker and Brodhecker Farm, based in Northwest NJ, the answer is simple. Brodhecker says, “We started creep feeding to get early calf growth and help transition them onto feed more easily.”
Still, creep feeding isn’t automatic profit. It’s a numbers game. Feed costs, calf prices, forage quality, and days on feed all factor into whether the added gain outweighs the expense.
For Allen Lucas from Lucas Farms in Luray, Virginia, creep feeding is about adding as much weight as they can and getting calves ready for their next stage of life. Lucas acknowledges that “Some years it depends on feed prices—but when it works, it really helps move calves forward faster.”
Latest trends in creep feeding
Today’s creep programs look different from those even just a decade ago. Many producers are shifting from straight grain to higher-protein rations, experimenting with limit-creep systems to control intake, and incorporating additives like ionophores to improve feed efficiency.
Brodhecker has noticed that “When calves are younger, higher protein makes a bigger difference, especially in that two- to three-month stage.”
Lucas mixes his own ration locally for Lucas farms. Their mix isn’t overly high in protein, but it is balanced for what their herds need. He also notes that “Early on, we’ll add a little smell to the feed to draw calves in.” He also “likes to include ingredients that support gut health, like cottonseed.”
Common Questions About Creep Feeding
1. When should I start creep feeding?
According to Brodhecker, “You can have creep feed available as soon as calves hit the ground, most will start using it at two to three weeks old.”
Creep feeding calves typically begins when they are around 3-4 months of age. This allows for 3-4 months of creep feeding before the calves are then weaned at around 7 months. If drought, poor pasture, or declining cow body condition are limiting calf gains, you can start earlier, but very young calves still get most of their nutrients from milk.
Lucas notes that it depends on the season—spring herd versus fall herd—but that it’s typical to start when calves hit around 300 pounds.
“If it turns dry in the summer or winter gets harsh, we’ll start a little earlier to keep them growing. Once a few calves start eating, the younger ones will follow right behind them.”
2. What are the primary benefits of creep feeding calves?
Creep feeding typically adds 20–60 lbs at weaning and helps ease the transition to dry feed. Lucas points out that in addition to higher weights at weaning (and therefore more money at sale), adding weight means lower chances for calves to get sick.
3. How much will calves actually eat per day?
In a typical 90‑day creep‑feeding program, calves might start out eating around 3–4 lb of creep per day, move up to roughly 5 lb in the middle of the season, and finish closer to 6–7 lb as they grow. As a general guideline, creep feed should only account for about 1–1.5% of bodyweight.
4. How will I know if they’re consuming the right amount?
Lucas says that it doesn’t necessarily have to be rocket science to figure out how your calves are eating.
“You can see the difference just by looking at them,” He explains, “especially their hair coat and overall appearance. You know you’re on the right track if calves aren’t pulling on their mothers as hard.”
If you’re worried calves are eating too much, adjust feeder openings or use small amounts of salt to help limit consumption.
Brodhecker uses a Farmco creep feeder and notes that they are adjustable, so you can control intake and manage feeding more efficiently.
If you’re worrying that they’re not eating enough or not using the creep feeder. Start by placing the feeder near a water source so it’s easily accessible, add one creep feeder for every 50-75 calves, and place mineral feeders near the creep feeders so that cows & calves are drawn to feeders.
5. What should I include in a creep ration?
The main energy source in creep rations is usually grain. Oats, barley, wheat, and corn are all common grains of use in creep feeding, although oats are the most common. High-protein creep feeds can also contain soybean meal, alfalfa pellets, canola meal, or other commercial protein supplements.
6. Does creep feeding hurt calf performance post-weaning?
Brodhecker sees no negatives to creep feeding post-weaning. “The only change is they’re not with the cow anymore,” he says, “and so there’s less stress at weaning because they’re already on feed.”
Creep feeding does not inherently hurt calf performance post-weaning. In fact, creep feeding usually helps during weaning, as it familiarizes cattle with dry feed. Research does show that creep feeding results in greater feed intake and reduced stress during and after weaning. However, care should be taken when creep feeding to prevent overeating; excessive weight gain can result in fleshy calves and lower market prices.
7. How does creep feeding affect your company’s bottom line?
Whether creep feeding is profitable depends on several variables. Factors that affect this include: cattle prices, number of head, days on feed, cost of feed, feed quality, feed conversion ratio, forage quality, cow’s milk production, and creep feeder cost, among others.
In general, for creep feeding to be profitable, the costs of the added weight gain must be less than the value of that gain.
8. When shouldn’t I creep feed?
For Brodhecker, there is no reason not to creep feed.
“Not in my world,” he explains, “if a calf’s on a cow, it should have access to a creep feeder. There are times you might think you’re spending more on feed, but you’re getting it back in performance.”
Experts say that there may be some situations where creep feeding will not be beneficial to your bottom line or to your calves. If your pasture and milk are already providing excellent gains and calves are meeting their genetic potential, then the extra spend for feed and supplies might not be worth it.
Lucas sees both sides. He acknowledges that “if you’ve got the very best cows, you might not need it, The only reason not to creep feed is if it’s not profitable. But for us, it’s worked the last several years.”
9. When should I stop creep feeding calves?
Most producers stop at or just before weaning. Brodhecker points out, “Creep feeding is really meant for when the calf is still with the mother, so we typically stop at weaning.”
How to Choose the Right Creep Feeder for Your Calves?
Brodhecker and Lucas have both used a wide range of creep feeders over the years, giving them years of experience with what does and doesn’t work. Today, both rely on Farmco creep feeders.
For larger, spread-out herds or rotational grazing systems, portability is the most important. As Lucas explains, “With rotational grazing, you’re moving feeders every few weeks, the Farmco feeders fold up and sve us a lot of work.” He also emphasized ease of transport as a deciding factor, noting that newer designs are “just so much easier to move from field to field.”
For smaller herds or operations where cattle stay closer to home, a lower-capacity or stationary feeder may be all you need. In these setups, simplicity and accessibility often matter more than mobility. You’ll want to consider how many calves will need to access the feeder and what kind of space the feeder will fit in. A single-sided feeder will work for small groups and tight spaces, while a multi-sided feeder works better for larger groups. Covered feeders help protect against the weather, while open feeders or open bunks paired with creep panels work if you’re feeding every day.
Durability and usability are also key. After decades of experience, Phil Brodhecker puts it plainly: “Farmco is the best feeder I’ve seen, and we’ve been creep feeding for over 40 years.” He credits that longevity to thoughtful design and real-world input, adding, “They worked directly with us and other cattlemen who use them every day.”
That hands-on design approach is something both producers value. Lucas, who previously used several other brands, said switching made a noticeable difference,
“We started with several pull-type feeders from different brands, but when we got our first Farmco feeder, it really held up.”
The improved durability and functionality ultimately led him to expand his setup: “We liked them enough that we’ve already ordered two more.”
Brodhecker echoed similar sentiments, pointing out that not all feeders are built the same: “Other feeders we’ve used just aren’t as durable and don’t have the same ease of use.”
In the end, the best creep feeder is one that fits seamlessly into your operation. The right choice will come down to your operation’s size, layout, feeding strategy, and individual labor needs.
By Farmco for American Cattlemen
