Creep feeders

[gustgd]

What are peoples experience with creep feeding calves while on pasture.

Does it matter if you grind the oats or not?
Do you put them close to the water or use them to trample weed patches?

Experience with cost per lb/gain

[boone]

Putting any sort of feeder, mineral feeders etc. close to a water source isn't a good choice environmentally, as the cattle congregate around the area and there is a potential for manure to get into the water source.
I have creep feeders on the way across the area where the cows go to the waterers and mineral feeder, so the calves seem to get into the creep feeder and help themselves whenever they follow the cows into that area. I always feed rolled oats and a supplement in the creep vs whole oats. I think more of the protein in the oats is utilized if it is rolled.