Calf Jackets

[Janovich]

Last year.,..the yard I'm on with my horse was having a clear out of all their equine bits and pieces relating to breeding and bringing up umpteen foals/youngstock over the years, as they had had the last of the young's coming through and weren't having anymore.

I promptly bought one of their foal rugs as I thought this would be absolutely ideal for any calves that fell under the weather and needed some TLC and an extra layer on temporarily.

They work a treat and fit really well & twas a good buy at a fiver!

 

[Janovich]

Here's a pic modelling the rug I purchased! It did a good job of helping this little fella through a tough time last February....and he lived to tell the tale!

 

[Alicecow]

The cosycalf jackets do look just like minature versions of horse rugs. Had a look at the Wynnstay and Delaval ones and they don't look near as good, or as secure.

 

[Sweepa]

What about using these jackets on a newborn? much success there?

 

[GenuineRisk]

We use them as we calve in January on, so it's cold! Been doing it for s couple of years and the calves are much better for them. On really sunny days, I do take them off but I'm feeding the mums twice a day, so not really a hardship. Also buy up a lot of xl dog coats second hand which work well.

 

[AniMac Animal Wear]

In spring and autumn when it can be cold at night but then turns out quite warm and sunny in the day, our canvas calf jackets are much better for regulating temperature and breathing that synthetic versions. We have been using them in New Zealand for years. Visit our website for more details if your interested www.animak.co.uk

 

[GrannyAching]

Do they have to go on the calf when he is very young? Would 3 months old be too old? (Chx suckler but no mamma.)

Check out the website - they do steer jackets, too.

 

[Alicecow]

Check out the website - they do steer jackets, too.

Thanks!
Too late for that boy as he's long gone, but there may well be another one at some point.

 

[farmer1989]

Having problems with plastic buckles breaking any 1 else got this problem

 

[phil the cat]

Yeah had a replacement from easy coat (think they were called?) as they were detachable and a full replacement coat from mole valley as they were fixed to the strap. Suppose it depends how long you’ve had the coat but we’ve found the one on the front is particularly prone

 

[Sandpit Farm]

This may be a bit off topic but when calves were brought up under lofts didn't they used to stuff every hole up so no cold air would get in? If this worked how come now it's all about ventilation?

Did it work though? I think we should have higher expectations for pre weaning mortality.

It used to be the in thing to calve heifers at 30 or even 36 months.

It makes sense to put jackets on calves and use a strip of rubber under sheeted gates to stop the wind from accelerating.

 

[AniMac Animal Wear]

Having problems with plastic buckles breaking any 1 else got this problem

This is a common problem when they get washed at high temperatures. They become brittle and break, it’s also not very good for the outer material but that’s another topic. You should find they will last longer if only washed at 30, upto 40 max.

 

[Pigken]

This is a common problem when they get washed at high temperatures. They become brittle and break, it’s also not very good for the outer material but that’s another topic. You should find they will last longer if only washed at 30, upto 40 max.

If or when buckles break, cable ties can be used, always expected buckles to last a bit longer, but as suggested it's probably washing temperature but thought you needed to wash hot to kill scours?

 

[sandywil90]

If or when buckles break, cable ties can be used, always expected buckles to last a bit longer, but as suggested it's probably washing temperature but thought you needed to wash hot to kill scours?

Ideally power wash them down on the yard and then bung them in the washing machine on a hot wash to kill bugs.

I sell a lot of calf coats in Wynnstay. Had these ones for a few years now and the seem really good! Comes in 70cm or 80cm.

 

[AniMac Animal Wear]

If or when buckles break, cable ties can be used, always expected buckles to last a bit longer, but as suggested it's probably washing temperature but thought you needed to wash hot to kill scours?

I think you need a bit more than a hot wash to kill scours. I wanted to learn a bit more about this a while back and contacted some chemical companies that make the stuff that does kill scours. I was talking to people from Virkon just yesterday at Eurotier about it actually. Its a complicated topic which lots of professionals will have an opinion on i'm sure, but from what I gather, a hot wash alone wont kill all the bugs.

In terms of prolonging the life of your calf coats and efficiency of your investment, I would think it would be better to soak the coat in a diluted mix of a disinfectant like Virkon and then giving it a wash in a machine or a good hose down and brush. The Folk at Virkon suggested 0.05% mix to water should do it without damaging the materials. This is how some of the farming folk I know in NZ have been cleaning them for years, but every country seems to have their own way of doing things.

 

[Pigken]

I think you need a bit more than a hot wash to kill scours. I wanted to learn a bit more about this a while back and contacted some chemical companies that make the stuff that does kill scours. I was talking to people from Virkon just yesterday at Eurotier about it actually. Its a complicated topic which lots of professionals will have an opinion on i'm sure, but from what I gather, a hot wash alone wont kill all the bugs.

In terms of prolonging the life of your calf coats and efficiency of your investment, I would think it would be better to soak the coat in a diluted mix of a disinfectant like Virkon and then giving it a wash in a machine or a good hose down and brush. The Folk at Virkon suggested 0.05% mix to water should do it without damaging the materials. This is how some of the farming folk I know in NZ have been cleaning them for years, but every country seems to have their own way of doing things.

May be have to dis agree to agree on that one but have seen scours in pig buildings been helped to be eradicated by steam cleaning alone, nothing wrong with virkon, but personally believe reliance on one product not always good, rotate and change products ?
Cyrptospardia is certainly helped to be eradicated from calf jackets by hot wash weather steam cleaner or washing machine or both but also a good blow dry on a sunny washing line, that's my experience,

 

[AniMac Animal Wear]

May be have to dis agree to agree on that one but have seen scours in pig buildings been helped to be eradicated by steam cleaning alone, nothing wrong with virkon, but personally believe reliance on one product not always good, rotate and change products ?
Cyrptospardia is certainly helped to be eradicated from calf jackets by hot wash weather steam cleaner or washing machine or both but also a good blow dry on a sunny washing line, that's my experience,

I do not disagree with you at all. Its good to hear what you do and how it works. Plastic clips breaking is a common problem, I believe hot washing is a factor that does not help the situation. You can get coats with metal fastenings which wont break, but again, I hear people dont like those because they can come loose and sound like they damage the washing machine during a wash. Will find the solution soon i'm sure.

 

[Pigken]

One thing that potentially save damage to washing machine and clips, is fastening all clips on jacket before putting in to washing machine, do wonder if buttons or duffle coat fasteners would work ?