Best calf coats

[Mrfarmjunk]

Looking at buying some calf coats for my blue bull calves that I buy in. What’s the best make, best value for money. Been looking at cosy calf coats.
Buying calves about 4 weeks old, so how long do you leave the coats on? Until they are weaned?

 

[Cornish farmer]

You won't find a better coat than cosy calf, strong washable and last and last

 

[Ballygreenan]

You won't do better than Cosy Calf. We have others but nowhere near the quality. We use them on our dairy heifer calves, started keeping them on for 3 weeks, then 5, now go thru to weaning.

 

[Colliepup123]

We have about 150 cosy calf, that came with a contract. Machine washable and well made, the only thing I hate is the elastic straps which go between the hind legs. They always seem to stretch then are far too long and loose elasticity, I tend to replace them with binding and stronger clips. Still they are probably the best make out there at the moment, maybe have a look at top calf as well to compare. [emoji5]

 

[Holsteinfriesian90]

Another vote for cozy calf jackets tried others but they are the best.

 

[AniMac Animal Wear]

We are the new kid on the block www.animac-wear.com

 

[HarryB97]

We currently use the cosy calf and get on well with them but the leg straps are a pain and not that strong and the neck strap isn't adjustable and we have had some small calves get their front leg through the neck hole and nearly suffocate themselves. Looks like the Animac coats above solve those issues though. If it's really cold all the calves get a jacket but at the minute we probably only have coats on the smallest third of them. We remove them when they run out of adjustment or if the weather becomes to warm.

 

[Colliepup123]

I’ve just brought some of @AniMacAnimalWear jackets to try, and I’m impressed. Dare I say it better than the cosy calf jackets, lots of room for adjustment, stronger straps and fitted well. I got the blue edged ones as they are mainly for BBx calves. I also tried their old style standard ones as they where in a sale, and certainly noticeable the quality and thought that’s gone into the new versions (2nd photo is the old ones).

 

[Holsteinfriesian90]

I’ve just brought some of @AniMacAnimalWear jackets to try, and I’m impressed. Dare I say it better than the cosy calf jackets, lots of room for adjustment, stronger straps and fitted well. I got the blue edged ones as they are mainly for BBx calves. I also tried their old style standard ones as they where in a sale, and certainly noticeable the quality and thought that’s gone into the new versions (2nd photo is the old ones).

Where did you get them? I do like the cozy calf ones but getting fed up with the straps breaking.

 

[Colliepup123]

Where did you get them? I do like the cozy calf ones but getting fed up with the straps breaking.

AniMac | Calf Jackets | Horse Rugs | Sheep & Lamb Coats

AniMac specializes is the development and production of functional animal wear using both natural and synthetic materials.

animac-wear.com

 

[AniMac Animal Wear]

I’ve just brought some of @AniMacAnimalWear jackets to try, and I’m impressed. Dare I say it better than the cosy calf jackets, lots of room for adjustment, stronger straps and fitted well. I got the blue edged ones as they are mainly for BBx calves. I also tried their old style standard ones as they where in a sale, and certainly noticeable the quality and thought that’s gone into the new versions (2nd photo is the old ones).

Hi Colliepup, thank you for giving us a try and a kind mention. It looks like you have some pretty good experience with using calf jackets... so could I ask your opinion on something please?

Clips, do you like the plastic which are much easier to use but are prone to breaking due to going brittle in cold weather and hot washes OR would you prefer metal fittings? either a metal buckle at the front or the T fasteners which are used in most horse rugs. The cost would be the same, so just comes down to user preference. Thank you again

 

[le bon paysan]

Just bought 2 cosy calf from agridirect, 2 at 24 each. Very good quality, pleased with them.

 

[Colliepup123]

No problem [emoji5] I find the plastic ones fairly good to be honest, I’ve not had a problem with them going brittle yet, and fairly easy/cheap to replace. However, metal clips would be more versatile and withstand more of a beating, may make the washing machine sing though. Not sure I’d want the t clips as they could be awkward to clip in quickly if you have a fairly lively calf. Also forgot to say great design with the longer velcro!

 

[Haydn Lloyd]

Do people find jackets causing swollen navels. Never have trouble with it. Used few jackets this year and had 2. The straps seem to be very close to navel. Mabey just bad luck. Thanks

 

[AniMac Animal Wear]

Do people find jackets causing swollen navels. Never have trouble with it. Used few jackets this year and had 2. The straps seem to be very close to navel. Mabey just bad luck. Thanks

Hi Haydn, if they have belly straps you should cross them. Will keep the rear strap away from navel and help keep on better.

 

[dairydurham]

We have about 150 cosy calf, that came with a contract. Machine washable and well made, the only thing I hate is the elastic straps which go between the hind legs. They always seem to stretch then are far too long and loose elasticity, I tend to replace them with binding and stronger clips. Still they are probably the best make out there at the moment, maybe have a look at top calf as well to compare. [emoji5]

Leg straps are just far too stretchy

 

[dairydurham]

Hi Colliepup, thank you for giving us a try and a kind mention. It looks like you have some pretty good experience with using calf jackets... so could I ask your opinion on something please?

Clips, do you like the plastic which are much easier to use but are prone to breaking due to going brittle in cold weather and hot washes OR would you prefer metal fittings? either a metal buckle at the front or the T fasteners which are used in most horse rugs. The cost would be the same, so just comes down to user preference. Thank you again

We have some with the T buckles & find the buckle at the neck easily comes loose ,with the jacket slipping off

 

[AniMac Animal Wear]

We have some with the T buckles & find the buckle at the neck easily comes loose ,with the jacket slipping off

Yes I agree. The T buckles work ok if you put a little rubber band around it which usually comes with them, but they can be quite tricky to put on. Re leg straps, elastic sounds like a great idea but they stretch and can ping and scare the calf if it gets caught. Regular webbing is the way to go for leg straps.

 

[Fergieman]

Yes I agree. The T buckles work ok if you put a little rubber band around it which usually comes with them, but they can be quite tricky to put on. Re leg straps, elastic sounds like a great idea but they stretch and can ping and scare the calf if it gets caught. Regular webbing is the way to go for leg straps.

Do you make branded coats for others? The ones in the pictures look like Mole Valley Farmers branded ones.

 

[AniMac Animal Wear]

Do you make branded coats for others? The ones in the pictures look like Mole Valley Farmers branded ones.

We do, but not for Mole Valley. They all look pretty similar really but what they are made of can be quite different.