Creep feeding provides supplemental feed to nursing calves while preventing cow access to the feeder. The goal is to maximize calf growth prior to weaning by supplying additional nutrients that milk and forage alone may not provide. However, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t exist. Your plan should be guided by calf nutrient needs, pasture quality, cow milk yield, and feed costs.
Why Consider Creep Feeding?
By the time a calf reaches 3 to 4 months of age, a lactating beef cow may only provide half of the nutrients required for that calf to maximize growth. While forage contributes to the remainder of the nutrients, it may fall short in energy or protein—especially as pasture quality declines mid- to late-season. Creep feeding fills this nutritional gap, particularly in calves with high genetic potential for growth or in operations where higher weaning weights directly increase revenue.
Creep feeding is useful under the following conditions:
- Calves are born early in the season and nursing into late summer or fall when forage quality drops.
- Drought or limited feed inventory forces an earlier nutritional intervention.
- There is an economic advantage to heavier calves at sale time.
- High calf prices paired with low feed prices.
Nutrient Design of Creep Feeds
Young calves have limited rumen capacity and won’t consume large quantities of feed, so nutrient density of the feed is key. Most commercial creep feeds are pelleted for palatability and ease of handling. If mixing your own ration:
- Keep the feed dust-free and well-mixed to prevent sorting.
- If using liquid ingredients, make sure they do not clog the feeder.
- Roll or coarsely crack grains (rather than finely grind) to reduce dust and potential for digestive upset.
An ideal creep feed includes a balanced blend of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and crude protein, allowing for both rumen development and lean tissue growth, plus additional energy (TDN) to help facilitate the growth. Common formulations target crude protein concentrations between 14% and 16%, though protein requirements will vary depending on forage quality and calf performance goals. Rapidly growing, young calves have a high requirement for protein, specifically in the form of rumen undegradable protein (RUP), so creep feeds high in protein in the form of RUP will facilitate frame and muscle growth. An example of a feedstuff high in RUP is distillers’ grains. Monensin may be added to enhance feed efficiency and reduce coccidiosis, but dosing must match intake projections and follow on-label requirements for the product.
Management Tips for Successful Creep Feeding
- Introduce early: It can take calves 2–3 weeks to adjust to creep feed. Start before the period of greatest pasture decline.
- Location matters: Place creep feeders in areas where cows and calves naturally congregate, like near water or shade.
- Encourage intake: Use hay or familiar feedstuffs to attract calves to the feeder initially.
- Keep feed clean: Fresh, palatable feed minimizes waste and promotes consistent intake.
- Bunk space: Provide 4–6 inches of bunk space per calf. For example, an 8-foot feeder with access on both sides equates to 16 linear feet of bunk space and can accommodate 30-50 calves.
- Keep critters out: Creep feeders can be a place that pests (rodents, racoons, birds, etc.) may congregate – watch out for signs that pests have gotten into your feed.
Economic Considerations
The profitability of creep feeding depends on three main factors:
- Cost of feed per pound of gain
- Market price of additional calf weight
- Feed conversion efficiency (feed-to-gain ratio)
In general, feed-to-gain ratios for beef calves range from 4:1 to 10:1, with 8:1 feed conversion as a suitable average with creep feed included in the diet. This feed conversion is dependent on the quality of the forage and the value of the dam’s milk. Previous literature on the feed conversion of creep feed fed on its own (without forage or milk) would suggest that creep feeds higher in protein return a more efficient conversion, usually in the range of 4:1 to 5:1 and creep feeds higher in starch (lower in protein) have less efficient conversion. If feed costs are low and calf prices are high, creep feeding is more likely to be profitable. Conversely, high feed costs or limited price premiums for heavier calves reduce margins. You can calculate the cost of gain from creep feeding using the table below:
| Example Calculation to Determine the Value of Creep Feedinga | |||
1 | 2 | ||
No Creep | Creep | Formula | |
| A Weaning weight, lb. | 500 | 565 | |
| B. Amount of creep feed fed per calfb, lb | 520 | (A2-A1) x 8 | |
| C. Sale calf price, $/lb | 4.25c | 4.10 | |
| D. Calf Value, $ | 2,125 | 2,316.5 | A x C |
| E. Value of added calf weight, $/lb | 2.95 | (D2-D1)/(A2-A1) | |
| F. Value of added gain, ($) | 191.5 | (A2-A1) x E2 | |
| G. Creep feed price per ton delivered, $ | 360 | ||
| H. Creep feed price per pound delivered, $ | 0.18 | G2/2000 lb | |
| I. Cost of creep feed fed, $ per calf | 93.60 | B2 x H2 | |
| J. Return per head from creep feeding, $ | 97.90a | F2 -I2 | |
aCalculation of costs and return include feed costs and does not include feeder, equipment, or labor costs. b Used 8:1 conversion of pounds of feed per pound of gain. cCreep fed calves weigh more but there is a “price slide” for beef calves and feeder calves where lighter weight calves have a price per pound advantage compared to heavier weight calves. Adapted from Rasby & McCarthy, 2024 (Nebraska NebGuide) | |||
Creep feeding should be evaluated not only based on feed cost but also market trends and how added weight affects calf sale prices. Heavier calves often receive a lower price per pound—a concept known as the “price slide.” In addition, offering a high energy creep feed that makes calves too fleshy may cause a price reduction at time of sale. Data from Merck Animal Health and Superior Livestock Auction reported that leaner 5-cwt (average weight 572 lb) calves marketed in 2024 brought an average of $14/head more than fleshier calves, highlighting the importance of managing fleshing condition of calves.
Summary
Creep feeding is a flexible management tool that can improve calf growth and add weight prior to marketing. Yet, it should be used strategically. Assess pasture quality, milk production, feed costs, and labor availability before committing. In some cases, early weaning may be more effective than prolonged creep feeding—particularly during drought conditions or when cow body condition is a concern.
If calves are retained for 100 days or more post-weaning, creep feeding may not be necessary. Over time, non-creep-fed calves will typically catch up in weight to those that were creep-fed. However, offering creep feed for about 30 days prior to weaning can help bunk-train calves, making the transition to weaning smoother and less stressful.
Always consider:
- Genetic potential of your herd
- Pasture conditions throughout the season
- Cost-benefit of feeding days and intake rates
- Nutrient balance (protein vs energy) in the creep feed as to keep calves from getting too fleshy
- What your end goal is- Retention, backgrounding, market weight.
With the right strategy in place, creep feeding can be a powerful addition to your beef production system if the revenue received for additional pounds at time of sale overcome the cost of the feed to achieve the additional gain.
More information on creep feeding beef calves can be found in this NebGuide https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g2077/creep-feeding-beef-calves.
Article by Jessica Sperber and Rick Rasby, Nebraska Extension Beef Specialists.
