Creep feed 101: The basic principles

The saying that you must first learn to crawl before you can walk, applies to many facets of life.

- Koos du Pisanie

This concept also applies to feeding both large and small stock. A calf or lamb is in fact monogastric until its rumen has developed to the extent where it can digest roughage. Until then, creep feed should form part of the animal’s nutrition programme.

In the first few months of the calf or lamb’s development, the rumen is not yet fully developed and the animal cannot digest roughage. Although the calf or lamb is born with four stomachs, the rumen is bypassed and nutrients are digested in the abomasum. Frederick van der Walt, a technical adviser at Veekos SA, says the calf or lamb’s feed conversion is very efficient during this stage, and an effort should, therefore, be made to facilitate the animal’s growth so that it can reach its full genetic potential.