Feeding Management Methods and Precautions for Newly Purchased Feeder Cattle

Newly purchased feeder cattle that have undergone long-distance or long-duration transport experience high stress, have little food in the gastrointestinal tract, and are severely dehydrated, so water and feed should be replenished gradually. For the first watering, it is essential to avoid letting them drink excessively; the water intake should be limited to 15 to 20 kg, and each head of cattle can additionally be given 100 grams of artificial salt. After the first watering, allow free access to water a second time 3 to 4 hours later, and mixing some wheat bran into the water gives better results. When feeding forage, feed roughage first and concentrate afterward; the roughage should be of high quality, with green hay being preferable, and no concentrate should be fed the first time. Starting on the second day, begin adding concentrate, then increase it day by day, and after 5 to 6 days they can eat their fill.