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Calf Group Penning

Group housing aids the behavioural and social development of calves, increasing their learning ability and allowing them to adapt better to new environments. In addition, group housing of calves soon after birth can increase weight gains and intake of solid feed. Our calf group pens are generally designed with a wet and dry area where it suits. We use 5mm 80 x80 box poles designed to last a generation. All the dividing gates lock forward for quick cleaning out and bedding while calves are housed. All our calf gates are height adjustable with stock-proof latching. Our group penning can improve calf performance and makes it easy to control and manage animals. Most importantly it is easy to clean.  The space required for calves in group pens varies according to their weight. Calves housed in small groups or larger groups require 1.8m2 of pen area and a total floor space of 2.3 to 2.5m2/calf floor area (including the feed passage). The minimum permissible pen floor area per calf is 1.5m2.

 

Feed troughs and drinkers are essential for any group calf penning facility. We have a wide range of feed troughs available suitable for milk or meal. There are both saddle and wall-mounted hayracks available to suit any type of pen. We have a wide range of plastic and cast iron drinking bowls available with protection frames to prevent the drinker from any damage.  We have plastic slats to provide extra comfort for your calves in lie back area, reducing labour and cost of bedding. We specialise in both new calf houses and conversions of existing buildings.

  • All Hot Dip Galvanised
  • All gates height adjustable
  • Horizontal Bar Feed Gates
  • Hinged adjustable
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Product Description

Calf Group Penning

Calf Group Penning can be made to suit any group size.  Our calf group pens are generally designed with a wet and dry area where it suits. All the dividing gates lock forward for quick cleaning out and rebedding while calves are housed. Drinkers are generally positioned between the wet and dry areas so calves always have access to water. This setup also saves on straw with all liquids positioned at the front section of the pen. Automatic calf feeders work very well with this set-up as the wet area helps to keep the feeder clean and easy to wash down if needed. The video below is a good example of our recommended layout.

  • All Hot Dip Galvanised
  • All gates height adjustable
  • Horizontal Bar Feed Gates
  • Canopies hinged adjustable

 


Calf Feed Barriers

Our calf feed barriers are designed with an adjustable horizontal bar, all gates are height adjustable and have stock proof latching. The adjustability of our gates is ideal for the growth of calves to maintain a comfortable feeding height. The hangers are also height adjustable to suit 80 x 80mm box poles. Poles can be sleeved so that the shed can be used for other purposes during the year. Adequate feeding and drinking space is very important to the development of your calves. The correct feeder and drinking space must be provided to encourage feed and water intake and to discourage bullying. For bucket feeding, calves require 350mm of feed face each. For automatic feeders, there should always be more than one teat per pen. This reduces the risk of calves being without milk and then overfeeding when a teat is fixed. Meal troughs should be around 450mm above the floor.

  • Standard sizes 10ft and 12ft, we also made to order.
  • Hot Dip Galvanised
  • Horizontal Bar Feed Gates
  • Height adjustable
  •  Stock proof latching

Calf feed Trough

Clip-on troughs

The stock lengths of this style are available in lengths of; .85m, 1.25m 1.94m and 2.5m.


 

Adjustable Pipe Creep Gate

The adjustable pipe creep gate is spring-loaded for easy adjustment. It is available as standard in 1.5m or 2m lengths or customised lengths to suit your needs. This creep gate saves on time as it only takes seconds to adjust.

  • 1.5m or 2m lengths available
  • Spring loaded for easy adjustment
  • Hot Dip Galvanised

Earlier this year (2021) we did a video with Grasstec on calf housing. Vincent called out to a customer’s shed who has penning from 1997 and new penning from 2018. He talks through the spec and design features along with what we have changed over the years.

Calf Shed Example

Calf Group Penning

Hugh MacEneaney, Teagasc Dairy Adviser, Mullinavat, Co Kilkenny

“Good facilities allow farmers to expand production and incomes and add to the asset value of the farm. They also lead to a better quality of life for the farm family by reducing the workload and the drudgery. In many cases, particularly on dairy farms, buildings pay for themselves over a 7-10 year period. This is especially true when capital grant and tax savings are available.”

For more information on calf housing and management Teagasc have a great 16-page document on the subject Click Here

Do you have some questions about this product? We’d love to help! Just fill out the form below.

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