Feed and bedding storage. Store bedding and feed in the building or nearby. Reduce daily hauling and feeding time by storing a one to two weeks supply.
Storage space depends on animal density, feeding frequency and feed availability. Table 2. Calf and transition housing. Housing typePen size0 2 months individual pensCalf hutch plus 4x6 outdoor run Bedded pen Tie stall warm housing only4x8 4x7 2x4 3-5 months groups up to 6 headSuper calf hutch Bedded pen25-30 ft2hd 25-30 ft2hdTable 3. Replacement heifer resting area space requirements. Age, monthsWeight, lbSelf-cleaning resting area 8 slope lft ft2Bedded resting areaAssumes access to 10 wide scraped feed alley ft2Slotted floor, ft2Paved outside lot, ft20-2 Use hutch or individual pens. 3-5 6-8 9-12 13-15 16-24 Dry cow100-190 190-350 350-500 500-650 650-800 800-1,200 1,300Do not use Do not use 10 12 15 18 Heifers and dry cows in late pregnancy may have difficulty breathing if they lie facing downhill on self-cleaning floors. 20d32 4x8 hutch 284x7 pen 28 25 28 32 40 50Do not use Do not use 12 13 17 25 35Do not use Do not use 35 40 45 50 55 Table 4. Heifer freestall dimensions.
Stall width measured o. c. of 2 pipe stall dividers.
Stall length measured from alley side of curb to front of stall. Age, monthsWeight, lbFreestall sizeNeck railWidth, inLength, inHeight above stall bed, inDistance from back curb, in6-8 9-12 13-15 16-24 Dry cow350-500 500-650 650-800 800-1,200 1,30030 33 37 42 4560 64 72 78 8428 30 34 37 4046 49 57 62 66Table 5. Suggested dimensions for post and rail feeding fences.
Age, monthsWeight, lbThroat height, inNeck rail height, in6-8 A diagonal bar feeding fence is recommended for this group to prevent calves from escaping. Leave 7 spaces between adjacent bars for calves. 9-12 13-15 16-24 Cows360-490 490-650 650-780 780-1,200 1,200-1,50014 16 17 19 2128 30 34 41 48Table 6. Feed space requirements. TypeAge, monthsMature cow3-45-89-1213-1516-24inanimalSelf feeder Hay or silage Mixed ration or grain Once-a-day feeding Hay, silage, or ration 4 12 12 4 12 18 5 15 22 6 18 26 6 18 26 6 18 26-30Cold housing Cold housing is the recommended system for raising replacement animals. Cold housing building systems provide a dry and draft-free environment in winter, and wind ventilation and shade in summer.
The building is usually uninsulated and has natural ventilation designed as an integral part of the building. Indoor temperature follows outside temperature very closely. Advantages of a cold housing are Ø Less expensive to build.
Ø Less expensive to ventilate and heat. Ø Better disease control. Ø During cold weather, disadvantages of a cold housing are Ø Freezing can make manure handling difficult. Ø Waterers must be protected from freezing. Ø Frostbite of calves ears may be a problem. Ø Increased feed required to maintain body heat. Warm housing A warm housing system is less desirable for raising replacements. Typically environmentally controlled systems are improperly managed resulting in health and growth problems.
The buildings are typically insulated heavily and a controlled mechanical ventilation system delivers fresh outside air. Properly designed inlets allow fresh outside air to be evenly distributed throughout the entire structure. Design mechanical ventilation systems in calf barns to provide minimum continuous exchange of air, Table 7. Because the number of calves and young heifers in a facility vary, design mechanical ventilation systems for a range of stocking rates.