Post-Weaned Calf Facility
Calves are the future of every dairy, so having a strong calf management program is essential. While the pre-weaned calf area is lacking, the post weaned calf facility is conducive to heifer growth and health.
Here you can see the free-stalls with clean deep bedding to keep the calves comfortable.
The barn that calves are housed in has great ventilation for both reducing circulation of airborne pathogens and to remove noxious odors. The open ended and sided barn allows for natural air flow as well.
Here you can see the open side of the calf barn which allows natural ventilation as well as the fan.
During their time in this barn, the calves have access to hay at all times and are fed grain twice a day, both of which are monitored by the workers. This close monitoring allows for optimum grain intake and growth. Each pen also has access to clean water at all times.
The barn is equipped with freestall loops to "train" calves to using freestalls as cows in the future, which is bedded with wood shavings for comfort and to add a bit of warmth during the cooler months. The beds are cleaned at least twice a day.
In addition, the calves have a concrete, grooved floor that is flushed with water twice a day.
The flush tank for the calf pens works the same as the milking herd flush tanks to keep the environment as clean and therefore stress free as possbiel to promote calf growth
Fans for each pen help keep the calves cool as well.
Having a clean, comfortable environment is essential for the calves to put all of their energy towards growing instead of combating illness or staying warm/cool.
The calves have access to hay at all times.
Having small pens and groups of calves no larger than 6 means that calves can get one-on-one attention and can easily be picked out when scouring or sick. This also allows for treatment sooner and a shorter period of interrupted growth due to the illness.
Scouring calves can be easily picked out in this small group setting by looking at the amount of manure on their tail.