Calf Jackets

[Fergieman]

There seemed to be quite a push on calf jackets at the livestock event this year. Anyone using them and seen any benefit to the calves dlwg or health issues?

The theory is right enough to be using them for the first 3 - 4 weeks of life.

The website below was created by a calf rearer who couldn't get the correctly fitting calf jacket so designed her own.

http://www.cosycalf.co.uk/

 

[bigw]

We have used cosy calf jackets for the last 2 years, they are brilliant and would highly recommend. We keep them on till they are just about bursting out of them.

 

[Beef farmer]

We have used cosy calf jackets for the last 2 years, they are brilliant and would highly recommend. We keep them on till they are just about bursting out of them.

All her round or just in the winter?

 

[TheRanger]

All year round or just in the winter?

It seems to be winter all year round at the moment!

 

[bigw]

All her round or just in the winter?

I just use them in the colder months as they would get too hot during the summer, when you put your hand underneath them they are really cosy and warm.

 

[Ballygreenan]

Definitely a great job for the first three weeks, no doubt an additional benefit beyond that. In tandem with increased feed rates I saw a massive difference in calves this year. Weaned a fortnight earlier and no knock-back coming off milk.

 

[zyklon]

This past two mornings have been very cold with the fields white with a frost and the young calves aren't as lively. Two of them had like a chill scour.

Anyhow, just wondering if cosy calf jackets are the pick of the bunch as I want to get some? Are they easy to wash and do they have a habit of coming off the calf too easy?

 

[TelesnaAg]

I was just thinking of these the other day when contemplating some set up costs for raising dairy steers, not to bad a price at 22 quid even when in Aussie dollars...

Not sure if there are any local producers making them, I've never seen them on calls before but it gets pretty cold and crappy in May at my joint...these would help I reckon.

Ant..

 

[phil the cat]

We bought a cosy calf just to try out and have been impressed. Have just tended to use it for problem calvings/ each end of the calving pattern when it's a bit cold. Never had it come off on its own

 

[Strawberry roan]

This past two mornings have been very cold with the fields white with a frost and the young calves aren't as lively. Two of them had like a chill scour.

Anyhow, just wondering if cosy calf jackets are the pick of the bunch as I want to get some? Are they easy to wash and do they have a habit of coming off the calf too easy?

Yes they wash easily and stay put, they definately make a difference.i think they're about £20 each.

 

[Sid]

Its a ambulance job for a poorly designed calf shed!
Another way to wrap an animal in bubble wrap so they can't deal with what life puts in front of them. We all read the threads about how kids are germ/cold/risk free on here amd all say aa speck of dirt/cold bedroom/tree climbing didn't hurt me yet some pander your animals like this. Seems crazy to me. A nice deep bed of straw in a non draughty calf shed and they will flourish. What next heated cubicles for cows??

 

[Friesianfan]

I don't think you could beat generous amounts of straw. If it's cold the calf could nest in it. I would worry about the hygiene between batches too

 

[zyklon]

My calves are on a deep bed of straw. Some calves are just soft.

Doesn't help when during the day it's 21+oC and at night it's 0/1oC

 

[Friesianfan]

My calves are on a deep bed of straw. Some calves are just soft.

Doesn't help when during the day it's 21+oC and at night it's 0/1oC[/QUOTE.
So does that mean you're going to take them off by day then?! That's my point when it's warm the calves are ok and at night the calves can nest into the straw.

 

[zyklon]

No

That was an example of my problem at the minute but that will change in the next couple of weeks when the temps stabilise at a cold temp day and night so extra warmth for the calves is a bonus.

Where I am silage is far cheaper than straw so it doesn't take much to spend an extra £100/£200 a week on it.

 

[TelesnaAg]

Heated cubicles for cows...now there's an idea!...

I'm near the coast, and wind can come from every different way in one night and get through every crack and crevis...so on calls that are a touch crook from when off there mom these jackets may help...I don't see it as a band aid..it's another tool to increase performance....

Ant..

 

[Ballygreenan]

I've just washed two of mine in Mother's washing machine (SHHHHHH!!) put them on twins that are healthy and strong, just smaller than a single calf. From now on all calves born will get the jackets for the first three weeks (twins will have them on for 4-5 weeks) I see it as an enhancement to my livestock rearing.

The best and most efficient feed conversion is during the first 8 weeks of life, I try to maximise that by feeding high levels of milk so I can't really feed 'extra' milk in cold weather to compensate for lost energy from trying to keep warm. The jackets are a simple way to help the calf retain body heat, therefore grow better, reduce weaning age and age to first service.

 

[bovine]

Its a ambulance job for a poorly designed calf shed!

Quite the opposite. It is difficult to get a calf shed that ventilates properly but is warm enough - 365 days per year.

What we know about calf coats:

• Keeping calves warm allows them to use energy for growth rather than for maintenance of body temperature.
  
• The first 3 months are the most efficient feed conversion in the animal's life - exploit it
• Lower feed costs, either heavier at weaning or to weaning weight sooner
• I forget the exact details, but a trial (maybe Harper Adams, don't have time to find it now) showed +£3 per calf financial benefit.

You do need to take them off if it gets warm in the day (sweating under the coat is very bad). They need to be washed between uses.

I've seen a lot of guys buy a couple for sick or small calves and quickly they buy a full set. If used properly I'm sure they are a good thing!

 

[Ballygreenan]

Quite the opposite. It is difficult to get a calf shed that ventilates properly but is warm enough - 365 days per year.

What we know about calf coats:

• Keeping calves warm allows them to use energy for growth rather than for maintenance of body temperature.
  
• The first 3 months are the most efficient feed conversion in the animal's life - exploit it
• Lower feed costs, either heavier at weaning or to weaning weight sooner
• I forget the exact details, but a trial (maybe Harper Adams, don't have time to find it now) showed +£3 per calf financial benefit.

You do need to take them off if it gets warm in the day (sweating under the coat is very bad). They need to be washed between uses.

I've seen a lot of guys buy a couple for sick or small calves and quickly they buy a full set. If used properly I'm sure they are a good thing!

And they come up a treat through the domestic washing machine! Just don't tell my Mother!! They dry out very quickly too, hung out on the clothes line. I took the last two out of the machine at lunch time, onto the line and had them on the calves by 5 pm, bone dry.

I started off buying two last winter, have 5 now, might sneek another one or two in this year. Love them, as do the calves!!!

 

[zyklon]

Anyone have a look at the Delaval jacket? Spoke to a guy today who said they are £35-£40 according to the local Delaval agent.