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Apr 30, 2024 · A well-designed calf pen is crucial for several reasons: – Health and Disease Prevention: A clean, well-ventilated environment reduces the risk of disease and promotes overall calf health. Proper housing minimizes stress, a known factor in vulnerability to illness, ensuring calves have a strong start. – Comfort and Growth: Calves thrive in ...
- Maternity Pen
- Group 1
- Group 2
- Group 3 Through 7
- Calf Hutches
- Solar Or Gang Calf Hutch
- Inside Pens
- Weaning Pens
- Group Hutch Weaning
- Open Front Shed
A well-designed and properly managed maternity pen or area is necessary to a good calf and heifer management program. A grassy pasture area, maintained exclusively for calving, makes a very satisfactory maternity area during warm weather, but weather conditions in Pennsylvania dictate that indoor maternity pens be used for a large part of the year....
Special provisions should be made to get baby calves off to a good start. To minimize disease transmission, they should be separated from older animals in dry and draft-free living quarters, designed to facilitate easy feeding and regular observation. General requirements for calves under two months on predominately liquid diets are: 1. individual ...
This period in a calfs life is also critical for good growth. A small group housing facility for three to five calves should be provided for a postweaning period of at last one month. The housing and environmental conditions should be similar to the baby calf facility and preferably be located in the same area to minimize stress on the calf caused ...
Once the calf is well adjusted to group living and is eating from community feed bunks and waterers, there are a variety of choices available for housing. The main requirements for these age groups are dictated by the increased space needed as the animal gets older, changes in rations, herd health, breeding, and observation. The degree of shelter r...
For Pennsylvania conditions, individual 4 feet by 8 feet calf hutches provide highly satisfactory housing for baby calves. The individual calf hutch is a small, completely open front structure in which one baby calf is raised from zero to about two months of age or until weaning. The calf is restrained in the calf hutch area by either a fenced-in f...
Another type of self-contained portable housing for baby calves is a solar hutch. This building is a portable skid-mounted unit, usually containing three to five individual calf pens, 3 feet to 4 feet wide, and approximately 7 feet deep. The open front and the low sloping roof allows penetration of sunlight during the winter months, and provides sh...
A very satisfactory facility for raising baby calves can be provided by placing portable solid-sided individual calf pens inside a building for shelter from wind, rain, and snow. New buildings can be constructed for this purpose or existing machine sheds, hay storage barns, or other farm buildings can be used. The main criteria are that they be wel...
At least one weaning pen should be located in buildings where calves are started. The weaning pen should be a minimum of 12 feet by 12 feet and accessible for mechanical cleanout. If more than five calves are likely to be weaned per month, more than one pen will be necessary. Its location should allow good ventilation and prevent drafts. In many ca...
A large skid-mounted open-front shed 8 feet to 10 feet wide by 12 feet to 16 feet long makes a very satisfactory group weaning facility, especially when calf hutches are used. An outside yard is also desirable. Animals in the group hutch should have access to continuously available fresh running water and 18 inches of feed bunk space per calf. Loca...
An open front shed, with or without an exercise yard, is another satisfactory facility for weaning calves. The shed might be a specially constructed building, a renovated shed, or the end of an existing barn. The requirements for space are the same as for weaning pens or group hutches. Adequate ventilation and draft control for both summer and wint...
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Mar 23, 2024 · Hygiene and housing conditions are also crucial factors in calf rearing. Young calves are particularly vulnerable to disease because their immune systems are not fully developed. Cleanliness in calf pens, regular replenishment of bedding, and ensuring good ventilation can significantly reduce the risk of illness and promote optimal growth.
Conversely, we see prices at a seasonal high in the spring because few producers fall calve/spring wean their cattle. Most weaned calves will weigh about 400 to 500 pounds. Try to get individual weights on the animals you purchase. The price per pound is higher for these lightweight calves compared to older calves in the 700 to 800 pound range.
- Shelby Filley
Sep 8, 2021 · Housing calves in groups is better than in individual pens. True - in the majority of circumstances. While the benefits of housing calves individually soon after calving are evidenced by the reduced risk of disease transfer, factors such as legal spatial requirements, higher maintenance and the impact on the calf’s mental and physical ...
1. Acreage. As a rule of thumb, you need about 2 acres per steer. However, if you are planning on grass-fed beef, you will need a lot more. Now, the cattle raised in small lots can be raised well, and healthily, however, if you want to ensure the happiness of your cattle…give them some elbow room and keep ’em clean. 2.
