22 September 2020

MAKE ROOM FOR THE CALVES

Increasing attention is being given to animal welfare, starting from the birth of the calf. For this reason, it is important to be familiar with the current regulations and to consolidate the method acquired with experience in the field. In any case, it is important to devote proper attention and time to these newborns who will be the future of the cowshed. Whether you choose a dedicated accommodation such as a calf house or the solution of external calf boxes, it is good to consider some general information, which we are often asked for and which can be a starting point for creating an operational calf house.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED FEATURES OF A CALF HOUSE?

One of the first features is the rest area, which must always be dry and comfortable, receive appropriate lighting and ventilation, and be sheltered from drafts. The various calf boxes must allow each animal to move easily and facilitate visual and olfactory contacts between them, where there are no specific veterinary requirements. After the first 8 weeks, the calves must be reared in groups with minimum spaces and well-defined parameters based on weight. The last, but a very important, feature that we would like to emphasise is that all building materials must be easily washable and disinfectable. Cleaning and sanitation are essential issues for a high-performance calf house.

WHAT SIZE SHOULD A CALF BOX BE?

Dimensions vary according to the weight of the calf but also according to the individual directives that your ASL requires, we strongly advise you to set up a dedicated accommodation and not an improvised corner or a generally disused storage space. In the case of calves placed in single boxes, we recommend an area of at least 1.5 m² for the first 30 days, and about 2 m² up to 60 days, obviously this is guideline data that can also vary a lot according to the type of weaning that is undertaken. The focus is certainly increasingly shifting towards animal welfare even before birth. Dedicating or increasing the space in the calf houses, together with other important precautions, allows you to achieve very satisfactory results.

Find out more about some of the accommodations we have created https://www.antoniniduea.it/en/products/calf-house/

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