The number of calves born from the dairy herd has steadily increased in the last three years. This trend is likely to intensify with the abolition of milk quotas in 2015.
A higher number of calves in the marketplace will lead to one of two things happening – increased live calf exports or farmers rearing higher numbers. Even if higher numbers of male calves are exported live, there will still be higher numbers of replacement heifers reared on farms.
Rearing the extra calves, whatever the enterprise, may present complications in housing additional calves. An option that may alleviate some housing pressure or provide alternative solutions is outdoor rearing of calves. The most important consideration for rearing calves outdoors is to provide a dry lie and shelter as young calves spend long periods lying down. The conventional option for rearing calves outdoors is to use individual calf hutches. Another options tried and tested in Moorepark and Johnstown Castle by Emer Kennedy and Robert Prendiville, Teagasc, is the use of calf shelters (specially made hutches and straw bale shelters). The shelters will not eliminate the need for rearing calves indoors but, depending on weather conditions, will allow calves to be reared outdoors from five to six weeks of age.
Straw bale shelters
Straw bale shelters, as shown in the photo, are constructed by placing large square bales in an ‘X’ or ‘Y’ shape. This provides shelter to calves from all directions of prevailing wind and works best during periods of low rainfall as a wind breaker.
However, Emer explains that there are many limitations during periods of heavy rainfall. There is no overhead protection and ground can very quickly become poached from calves huddling together. This removes the chance of calves having a dry lie, or even a sheltered place to stand, and can lead to calves getting chills or cold.
Deteriorating ground conditions also reduce the potential of being able to move bales to a drier area due to the number of bales that need moving and the potential for sward damage.
Trials have also incorporated placing bark mulch under and around bales but the downsides with this are increased costs and also removing bark mulch from pasture. The best scenario is where straw bales are used in conjunction with the calf shelters described below, or later in the spring when rainfall is generally lower. It also has to be pointed out that the cost of using straw bales as shelters increases significantly as you progress outside tillage areas.
Calf hutches
Calf hutches, such as those shown in the picture, have been profiled previously and continue to gain increasing levels of farmer interest. Emer says that the hutch has been modified over the last few years to find the best fit for calves. A diagram and dimensions are shown in Figure 1.
The general materials required for constructing the hutch are box iron, sheets of galvanise and timber lats to construct a slatted floor.
A number of farmers have constructed hutches with heavy box iron or steel at the back so that they can be moved with a three-point linkage. Others move with a front loader.
Emer adds that it is important to have a slatted floor to provide a dry lie for calves and to ensure that the sheeting goes to ground on the three covered sides to prevent draughts coming in under the slats. Some farmers also use bark mulch or straw on the slats, especially during periods of wet weather.
The hutches will comfortably hold 10 to 11 calves. Emer points out that the hutches will cater for more calves at the outset but as calves get bigger, the stocking density will increase.
An important aspect to the hutches is to drill holes at the eaves of the hutch to provide an outlet for air. In the absence of good airflow, temperatures will rise when all calves congregate together (during periods of heavy rainfall for example) and this will increase the risk of calves contracting or spreading disease.
TOP TIPS
Emer Kennedy’s tips on outdoor calf-rearing:
Only let calves out on a fine day when there are two to three days good weather forecast. Let calves out early in the day and monitor closely to see that calves settle.Ensure all calves are healthy and consume
adequate levels of milk/concentrate before releasing them outdoors.Group calves in age and size to prevent bullying at feeders or in shelters. Place shelters to guard from the prevailing wind and monitor forecasts for changes in wind direction.Keep feeding times and volumes offered (six litres per day for a calf born at 40kg) consistent. Read more
Read the full Calf Focus supplement
The number of calves born from the dairy herd has steadily increased in the last three years. This trend is likely to intensify with the abolition of milk quotas in 2015.
A higher number of calves in the marketplace will lead to one of two things happening – increased live calf exports or farmers rearing higher numbers. Even if higher numbers of male calves are exported live, there will still be higher numbers of replacement heifers reared on farms.
Rearing the extra calves, whatever the enterprise, may present complications in housing additional calves. An option that may alleviate some housing pressure or provide alternative solutions is outdoor rearing of calves. The most important consideration for rearing calves outdoors is to provide a dry lie and shelter as young calves spend long periods lying down. The conventional option for rearing calves outdoors is to use individual calf hutches. Another options tried and tested in Moorepark and Johnstown Castle by Emer Kennedy and Robert Prendiville, Teagasc, is the use of calf shelters (specially made hutches and straw bale shelters). The shelters will not eliminate the need for rearing calves indoors but, depending on weather conditions, will allow calves to be reared outdoors from five to six weeks of age.
Straw bale shelters
Straw bale shelters, as shown in the photo, are constructed by placing large square bales in an ‘X’ or ‘Y’ shape. This provides shelter to calves from all directions of prevailing wind and works best during periods of low rainfall as a wind breaker.
However, Emer explains that there are many limitations during periods of heavy rainfall. There is no overhead protection and ground can very quickly become poached from calves huddling together. This removes the chance of calves having a dry lie, or even a sheltered place to stand, and can lead to calves getting chills or cold.
Deteriorating ground conditions also reduce the potential of being able to move bales to a drier area due to the number of bales that need moving and the potential for sward damage.
Trials have also incorporated placing bark mulch under and around bales but the downsides with this are increased costs and also removing bark mulch from pasture. The best scenario is where straw bales are used in conjunction with the calf shelters described below, or later in the spring when rainfall is generally lower. It also has to be pointed out that the cost of using straw bales as shelters increases significantly as you progress outside tillage areas.
Calf hutches
Calf hutches, such as those shown in the picture, have been profiled previously and continue to gain increasing levels of farmer interest. Emer says that the hutch has been modified over the last few years to find the best fit for calves. A diagram and dimensions are shown in Figure 1.
The general materials required for constructing the hutch are box iron, sheets of galvanise and timber lats to construct a slatted floor.
A number of farmers have constructed hutches with heavy box iron or steel at the back so that they can be moved with a three-point linkage. Others move with a front loader.
Emer adds that it is important to have a slatted floor to provide a dry lie for calves and to ensure that the sheeting goes to ground on the three covered sides to prevent draughts coming in under the slats. Some farmers also use bark mulch or straw on the slats, especially during periods of wet weather.
The hutches will comfortably hold 10 to 11 calves. Emer points out that the hutches will cater for more calves at the outset but as calves get bigger, the stocking density will increase.
An important aspect to the hutches is to drill holes at the eaves of the hutch to provide an outlet for air. In the absence of good airflow, temperatures will rise when all calves congregate together (during periods of heavy rainfall for example) and this will increase the risk of calves contracting or spreading disease.
TOP TIPS
Emer Kennedy’s tips on outdoor calf-rearing:
Only let calves out on a fine day when there are two to three days good weather forecast. Let calves out early in the day and monitor closely to see that calves settle.Ensure all calves are healthy and consume
adequate levels of milk/concentrate before releasing them outdoors.Group calves in age and size to prevent bullying at feeders or in shelters. Place shelters to guard from the prevailing wind and monitor forecasts for changes in wind direction.Keep feeding times and volumes offered (six litres per day for a calf born at 40kg) consistent. Read more
Read the full Calf Focus supplement
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