4 weeks ish
We have our summer/ backend calvers all on slats. 50 odd outfits, like the calves to be strong when they go into the shed as the cows are at a high stocking density. Best thing to do is spend plenty time having a look at different sheds and pick what will fit your system best. Spent years designing ours and apart from making the creep area bigger I wouldnt change anything. Feel free to call in if your in south Northumberland anytime.
Thank you. How old would that calves be when they go in? Where do bull the cows?
Calves are mostly July born but odd ones late august/ early September. So mainly 3 months when they go in, normally house around end of October. Most cows are bulled outside before they come in but bulls just run on the slats through the day then pen them up on straw at night.
If you calve in March I would be getting them out rather than put cows back onto slats. Not a comfortable environment for wee feet to go through slats or sook a mucky teat.
And find it's mother in a crowded pen, those are my concerns, just that there isn't any grass for them until May, and March or even April can be rough on young calves or cows that have been wintered inside.
When do you sell your calves? Drop calving back to end of April beginning of May, let cows out as they calve. They will be bulled out side on a good flush of grass. Calves will creep well off the slats in the backend. Shut the creep gates in the new year and sell the calves in March. You then have all the creep area to calve on. That is sort of our system just they calve in July and sell in May.
About 3 - 4 weeks old here. Only for a few weeks till turnout. Ground's often very wet here in the Spring, so needs must.
QMS standards says slats should be for the age of stock and cows should have access to a loafing area.
I thought that it was only a recommendation?
