Bull pens/calving pens

[Andy84]

I’m thinking of building bull pens in the end of one of my courts that hopefully will double up as calving pens at calving time. Is this a daft notion or had anyone done something similar? Any pointers?

 

[harperfarmer]

Where do you put your bulls when your cows start calving?!

 

[Andy84]

Where do you put your bulls when your cows start calving?!

they usually winter outside but I’d like to change that!

 

[harperfarmer]

they usually winter outside but I’d like to change that!

But if you bring them inside, your pens won't be available for calving as the bulls will be in them?

 

[Dog Bowl]

I'd personally have dedicated bull pens and dedicated calving pens. You'll want to use them to house your bulls when your cows are calving surely.

 

[wellingtonfarmer]

The only time I use bull pens is when the cows start Calving.

 

[Andy84]

I was thinking they could winter in the pens I don’t usually calf until March so they could go outside then?

 

[MGS6930]

You'll not regret bull pens / calving pens!. We have permanent bull pens split between a straw bedded layback and a feed passage area which we scrape clean, its also good being able to give the bulls a bespoke ration and a bit of attention individually. We have gates to allow us to lock the bulls back onto the straw area for cleaning which makes it a one person job and far safer. If your wanting to then use it for calving I'd make both areas similar sizes approx. Overall (24x12 that could be split into two 12x12s). so that each bull pen could be split into two calving pens when needed. Also have a look at individual yokes and/or calving gates. Also don't skimp on the steel, bulls next to each other are far harsher on the gates than usual.