Disease Prevention and Deworming
It is essential to conduct a thorough health inspection of newly purchased shelf cows. Healthy animals should receive vaccinations against foot-and-mouth disease, brucellosis, and clostridium perfringens before being introduced to the fattening area. A deworming treatment should be administered one week prior to entering the barn. Three days after deworming, it's recommended to give them artificial salt or other stomach tonics to support digestion. Newly arrived cattle are often stressed due to changes in environment, transportation, and unfamiliar surroundings. To help them adapt, adding 0.5% salt and 1% brown sugar to their drinking water for a week can be beneficial. Encourage them to eat more grass or hay during this time. Two days later, introduce a small amount of bran gradually to transition them into the fattening diet. Throughout the process, closely monitor their feeding habits, waste production, and overall behavior to ensure they remain healthy.
Scientific Feeding
Shelf cattle fattening is typically divided into three stages: the pre-fattening period (adaptation phase), the middle fattening period (transition phase), and the finishing period (final growth phase). The adaptation period usually lasts about 15 days. During this time, ammoniated straw and silage corn stalks serve as the primary roughage, combined with locally available concentrate feed. These roughages should be freely accessible, and clean water must always be available. Starting from day two, the concentrate feed should be introduced gradually and increased over time. By the end of the adaptation phase, daily concentrate intake can reach around 2 kg, or approximately 0.8% of the animal’s body weight, averaging about 1.5 kg per day. A typical concentrate formula includes 45% corn flour, 40% wheat bran, 10% cake, 2% bone meal, 2% urea, and 1% salt. Additionally, 2 ml of cod liver oil should be added per kilogram of feed. The middle fattening period usually lasts about 30 days.
During the feeding process, it's important to balance the ratio of roughage and concentrate. At the beginning of the period, the ratio is 3:1 (roughage to concentrate), then 2:1 in the middle, and finally 1:1 in the later stage. Feed twice a day, offering 4–5 kg each time, and provide water 2 hours after feeding. The finishing period usually takes around 45 days. During this time, the diet should be mainly concentrated, with 70%-80% of the total diet consisting of concentrates. Provide high-energy (60%-70%) and low-protein (10%-20%) feeds, at a rate of 1.5%-2% of the animal's body weight. The ratio of crude protein to energy should be between 1:2 and 1:3. Increase the number of feedings per day and ensure constant access to clean water. A suitable feed formulation for this stage could include 2-3 kg of cornmeal, 20-25 kg of molasses residue, 15-20 kg of distillers' grains, 10-15 kg of silage straw, 50g of salt, 20g of mineral additives, and feed once in the morning and evening. Alternatively, a mix of 56% corn flour, 10% cottonseed cake, 8% wheat bran, 23.5% ammoniated wheat straw powder, 1% auxin, 1% salt, and 0.5% sodium bicarbonate at 6-7 kg per head per day can also be used.
Use of Growth Promoters
Commonly used growth promoters, such as monensin and lasalocid, work through the rumen and are typically mixed into the feed. These are generally added at a rate of 40-60 mg per kilogram of concentrate. In addition, the use of urea can significantly improve weight gain. It is recommended to add 0.25 kg of slow-release urea per day. Urea should be fed at night, and animals should not drink water for two hours afterward to avoid potential toxicity.
Proper Management
The ideal ambient temperature for cattle is between 5°C and 21°C. During the fattening period, create a warm, quiet, and comfortable environment to reduce stress. Brush the animals 1-2 times daily to maintain cleanliness. Install adjustable ventilation windows in the barn to ensure good air circulation. Remove manure daily to keep the barn clean, dry, and well-ventilated. Avoid damp conditions to prevent disease outbreaks.
Timely Slaughter
After 2-3 months of fattening, when the cattle reach a weight of 500 kg or more, they should be slaughtered promptly. There are two main indicators for determining slaughter time: first, if the animal’s appetite gradually decreases and cannot be restored even after adjusting the feeding; second, if you feel fat deposits on the back or the ears when touched, indicating full muscle development. At this point, the cattle are ready for slaughter.
Sharp Needle,Needle with Sharp Tip,Sterile Medical Needle,Single Use Needle
Changzhou Timerein Biotechnology Co. , Ltd. , https://www.timereinbiotech.com