Young calves are frequently housed in accommodation that’s somewhere convenient for feeding or unsuitable for larger cattle, rather than a building that has been designed for their own specific requirements. Whatever type of housing on your unit, check out the following three components – wind speed, air quality and humidity, together with drainage and hygiene.
Young calves are frequently housed in accommodation that’s somewhere convenient for feeding or unsuitable for larger cattle, rather than a building that has been designed for their own specific requirements.
Whatever type of housing on your unit, check out the following three components – wind speed, air quality and humidity, together with drainage and hygiene.
Wind speed
Calves are very susceptible to the chilling effects of draughts. Even very mild draughts of a few miles an hour will chill them and subsequently reduce that all important feed conversion efficiency and increase susceptibility to disease. For example, a 5mph draught will reduce temperature felt by the calves by 8°C.
Calves should be protected from draughts by solid barriers that extend to floor level. If they are housed in an exposed building, then consider creating protected areas.