Investing in calf housing that meets the animals' needs and fits into the farm system can improve productivity and save thousands of pounds through reduced costs and productivity.
Calves are often kept in poor housing conditions, with problems such as ventilation, low pressure and poor air quality.
In this case, the calf will have problems: cold and drafts can suppress its immune system, and the warm, humid environment in the shared air space can increase the risk of infection.
For example, airspace when fresh air levels are reduced by 50% can contain 10 to 20 times more pathogens, resulting in poor health and reduced growth rates.
“So it makes sense to invest in quality calf management,” says Jamie Robertson, research consultant at Livestock Management Systems.
Don't give up on an old home just because of its age. Some older buildings may be ideal places to live, but their smaller size naturally limits the number of animals that can share the same airspace.
They are also more likely to have steep roof slopes of up to 45 degrees, which promotes a stack effect that helps draw air up and out of open ridges more quickly.
The roundhouse is a circular canopy with a diameter of 22, 30 or 45 meters, supported by a central pillar and a steel frame.
A large circular canopy surrounds the central processing system and numerous radial guardrails.
Because there are no corners, the wind is deflected less, causing unpredictable air movement and drafts. But while open sides and a hole in the center support allow fresh air to enter and promote the stacking effect, roundhouses can expose calves to wind and require drafts to be blocked.
The sturdy fiberglass igloo houses 13 to 15 calves and has a thatched area outside.
The straw platform in front of the opposite dome is covered, and the igloo itself projects into the open air.
Because the closed back of the canopy faces the prevailing winds, the airflow above the unit draws cloudy air through small openings at the top.
The design also provides a stacking effect when wind speed drops, as the eggs can quickly heat the small space inside the dome.
The relatively small size of igloos allows farms to purchase multiple units that fit into a farming system.
If they are placed as separate units, without the benefit of a larger building covering the lawn, they will be exposed to the elements and barriers may need to be installed to stop the flow of air.
They can be a cheaper alternative to igloos, depending on the cage you choose, and with more brands available, calf cages also offer housing systems that are easy to clean.
As with igloos, the number of barns purchased can be matched to the number of calves produced at the facility.
But the site must be well designed to provide wind protection and avoid areas with poor drainage.
Steel-framed buildings with concrete floors, whether built specifically for calf housing or converted from existing buildings, should not be too large for the farm system.
In typical British winter conditions, calves under four weeks of age are temperature sensitive animals and large areas can develop air spaces that are difficult to manage.
Rotating air movement can create drafts or cold spots, and with many animals under one roof, the risk of disease transmission increases.
If you are going to build a shed, it is best to build something smaller. In addition to more manageable airspace, the units will also be more flexible and easier to clean.
The advantages of steel frame buildings are that the facility is durable, adaptable and can be used for purposes other than calf rearing.
Multi-tunnel calf barns have arched steel or aluminum frames covered with durable translucent plastic film to protect the rows of straw-lined pens located below.
Polytunnels are cheaper and faster than traditional steel-framed construction, and the plastic film allows natural light to pass through, potentially reducing the cost of artificial lighting.
Care must be taken to locate the structure in a dry, well-drained area and provide fresh air. Longer polytunnels may have the same disadvantages as larger buildings, namely limited air circulation, and may house large numbers of calves in one space.
Post time: Nov-08-2023
