Growth and condition at weaning of extensively managed creep-fed foals

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of creep feeding on the growth and value of extensively managed foals. One hundred four Quarter Horse type mares (551±45.9 kg) and their foals (140±21 kg) were assigned to one of three treatments. The treatments were no creep ration (NC), 13% protein creep ration (13%) and 17% protein creep ration (17%). The foals were offered creep ration daily at 0.45 kg per month of age in a suitable creep feeder for 53 days. Concentrate intakes for the 13% and the 17% creep-fed groups were 0.84 and 0.56 kg/head/day, respectively (P>0.05). Overall average daily gains for the NC, 13% and 17% groups were 1.06, 1.20, and 1.14 kg/day, respectively with the creep-fed foals having significantly (P<0.004) greater gains than the NC foals. However, there was no difference (P>0.05) between the creep-fed groups. Following weaning the creep-fed foals had general assessment scores that were higher (P<0.001) than the non-creep fed foals (2.5, 3.7, and 3.8 for the NC, 13% and 17%, respectively). The 24 hour post-weaning weight losses for the NC, 13% and the 17% groups were 9.35, 6.75, and 8.1 kg, respectively (P>0.05). Sale price was significantly (P<0.0001) influenced by general assessment score and body condition at weaning. These data indicate that providing a creep ration to extensively managed foals during mid-lactation allows foals to gain weight at an acceptable rate and maintain condition after weaning and results in greater competitiveness of the foals in the sale or show ring. Creep feed containing 13% protein resulted in similar performance to that containing 17% protein when pasture forage contained 10% protein. Based on visual appraisal no problems were noted with limb development in either the creep-fed or the non creep-fed foals.