Hutch management. Face hutch fronts south or east to provide draft protection during winter and sun exposure during the day. Provide enough hutches to allow a minimum of two weeks resting period after a calf is removed.
Locate hutches on a well drained area. Crushed rock or sand base provide a solid base for bedding and lessen the possibility the hutch will freeze to the ground in winter. After removing the calf, move the hutch to a clean site to break disease cycles. Use enough bedding to keep calves clean and dry and to insulate calves from the ground.
To provide operator comfort, hutches may be placed inside a well ventilated shed or structure, in effect providing a cold housing environment in winter and shade in the summer, Fig 3.