3IN1FEEDERS Creep Gates allows you to implement creep feeding – the process of supplement feeding calves while excluding cows – quickly and easily. The Creep Gate simplifies creep feeding by pivoting from the transport/inactive position to the engaged position.

This denies cows access to the feeding area based on their body size. The 3IN1FEEDERS Creep Gates are permanently attached to the feeder which makes repositioning the feeder easy. Depending on the breed and size of the calf, the Creep Gates are functional until the calf is about 9 months of age.

Feeding high starch-based diets to calves drastically reduces the time for the rumen to develop. Starch helps initiate the conversion of the rumen for processing milk at infancy to be able to support a large microbial population – essential for processing fodder and grain/pellets.

Benefits of creep feeding include:

• Increase the weight gain of calves.
• Increase the number of calves that reach target weight by weaning.
• Allow calves to be weaned earlier.
• Increase the number of cows run on the property – by not carrying as many weanlings.
• Reduce the amount of supplement needed to get cows to reach the desired condition score prior to breeding, as weaning is earlier.
• Increase the number of calves that survive through to weaning.
• Increase the number of heifers to reach the desired minimum breeding weight and improve conception.
• Increase the number of cows that conceive early in the breeding period.

The gate has a strong triangular brace to prevent cows from changing the shape of the feed access area.

The gate is pinned in the engaged position with two shaft lock pins to prevent cows from lifting it.

• Promotes the development of a proper functioning rumen. The faster the gut is developed, the better the eventual growth, health and nutrient digestion of the calf;
• Meeting target weights for market;
• Increased survival rates; and
• Early weaning to allow cows to regain condition quicker.

3IN1FEEDERS regularly conduct on-farm trials to provide our customers with the necessary facts to make informed decisions.

Objective:

Compare the profitability of creep feeding a group calves against a control group.

Result summary:

Controlled calf creep feeding with a pellets and barley ration of 0.7kg has shown to increase calf growth by 0.28kg/day a feed compared to a control group that received no supplement. The creep fed calves were also in a much better condition to be mated at 15 months and weaned without losing and condition. Over the 140 day trial, profit increased by €60.04/head.

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There are many variables in the number of calves that can be put on a feeder during creep feeding. The main consideration is what other sources of feed they have in their paddock. As a general indication, Creep Gates are suitable for the following quantities of stock:

The Creep Gates have a horizontal bar that can be positioned at 9 different heights. This allows you to set the bar so it is only just higher than the largest calves.

The Creep Gates are held in the transport position by a latch in the centre of the side panels.