Bedding calves on sawdust

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William26

Member

• Nov 3, 2019

• #1

Thinking of bedding calves on sawdust
Anyone doing this or something similar
Thanks in advance

 

Ballygreenan

Member

Location

Tyrone NI

• Nov 3, 2019

• #2

Did it last year when straw was expensive, but then the price of shavings went thru the roof! Stayed clean tho

 

pappuller

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

M6 Hard shoulder

• Nov 3, 2019

• #3

We put two bags of sawdust in a pen 10'x6' for 2 calves and top up with a little straw daily, calves sold at 3 weeks and pens then cleaned out, pens are always dry and calves clean

 

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William26

Member

• Nov 3, 2019

• #4

Would it be the same with large groups?

 

pappuller

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

M6 Hard shoulder

• Nov 3, 2019

• #5

William26 said:

Would it be the same with large groups?

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Presume it would work, we purely use the dust to absorb any moisture

 

Dr. Alkathene

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

North West England

• Nov 3, 2019

• #6

Have them in groups of 10 on sawdust from about 3 / 4 weeks old. Keeps them clean, dry and healthy.

 

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WillM

Member

Location

Indonesia

• Nov 4, 2019

• #7

All mine bedded on sawdust. Not that expensive but the calf feeders are away from bedding area so stays a lot dryer.

 

pine_guy

Member

Location

North Cumbria

• Nov 4, 2019

• #8

Dr. Alkathene said:

Have them in groups of 10 on sawdust from about 3 / 4 weeks old. Keeps them clean, dry and healthy.

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Seem to remember you muck yours out regular, maybe weekly?

 

Dr. Alkathene

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

North West England

• Nov 4, 2019

• #9

pine_guy said:

Seem to remember you muck yours out regular, maybe weekly?

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About once a fortnight, takes about 10 mins a pen from start to finish. Once they are weaned they go into small cubicles that are scraped out every day and bedded up Mon, Wed & Fri.

 

Farmer Keith

Member

Location

North Cumbria

• Nov 4, 2019

• #10

How much are you guys paying for sawdust? ?

 

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Sandpit Farm

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

Derbyshire

• Nov 4, 2019

• #11

Any issues composting/getting rid of waste?

 

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RJ1

Member

Location

Wales

• Nov 4, 2019

• #12

Recently went to an open day and a calf rearing/housing expert said that they can't nest in sawdust as they would straw so can get cold. Would need some straw on too and ensure no draught I would think, but would be good underneath for keeping the pen dry.

 

Ballygreenan

Member

Location

Tyrone NI

• Nov 4, 2019

• #13

RJ1 said:

Recently went to an open day and a calf rearing/housing expert said that they can't nest in sawdust as they would straw so can get cold. Would need some straw on too and ensure no draught I would think, but would be good underneath for keeping the pen dry.

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Our calves all get jackets.

 

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William26

Member

• Nov 5, 2019

• #14

Was thinking about a layer of woodchip and then sawdust on top, ours are in groups of 12
What price is everyone paying for sawdust?