What is the proper amount of hay to feed a bull?

Answer 1

There really is no "proper amount" of hay to feed a bull, as the amount of hay a bull needs depends on his condition, the seasons, climate, and his breeding (eg. Charolais vs. Hereford). If you are thinking of feeding a bull by restricting feed intake I wouldn't recommend this method. A bull typically eats between 2 and 5% of his bodyweight per day, depending on the factors mentioned above. Therefore, assuming your bull (Hereford) weighs 2200 lbs at mature weight (not gaining, just maintaining), he will eat around 37.5 lbs of feed per day or more. Therefore, feeding your hay free choice is the better alternative because he can eat as much as he wants (cattle typically don't pig out themselves like other livestock do when fed ad libitum), plus he won't run you over trying to get his next meal of hay before you have time to set it out for him.

Now, back to my statement that there is no "proper amount" of hay to feed a bull; what I was about to say before I rambled off about restricted feeding versus feeding ad lib was that you should be more concerned about the proper QUALITY of hay a bull needs. Again, depending on different factors including climate, his condition, and breeding, a bull typically needs a good source of energy and protein (around 6% CP and 43.6% TDN, both as-fed) as well as phosphorus and calcium.