Calf pen slats

[Jamer]

We are looking at some replacement individual calf pens for housing for a short period of time, prior to group rearing on machines and barrels, as part of a system to try and prevent crypto transfer whilst in the first few days. So in trying to do the job as effectively but economically as possible I am looking at Solway calf pens and like the idea of a slatted floor which can easily enable quick cleaning and reuse of the pen. Question is; has anyone purchased these and do you reckon they are worth it?- They double the cost from £80/pen and at the moment I am inclined to try half with/half without. Any opinions?

 

[Bald Rick]

We are looking at some replacement individual calf pens for housing for a short period of time, prior to group rearing on machines and barrels, as part of a system to try and prevent crypto transfer whilst in the first few days. So in trying to do the job as effectively but economically as possible I am looking at Solway calf pens and like the idea of a slatted floor which can easily enable quick cleaning and reuse of the pen. Question is; has anyone purchased these and do you reckon they are worth it?- They double the cost from £80/pen and at the moment I am inclined to try half with/half without. Any opinions?

We bought pens with wooden slatted floors. Fine for a bit then had a do with crypto so binned them off. Guess plastic slats may be easier to steam than wood.

 

[Jamer]

We bought pens with wooden slatted floors. Fine for a bit then had a do with crypto so binned them off. Guess plastic slats may be easier to steam than wood.

So can I ask what you have found has been effective in crypto prevention please?

 

[Kingofgrass]

I made a load out of plastic scaffold boards,think they cost about £15 each in materials to make,work brilliant

 

[Bald Rick]

Helps but really only answer is hygiene. Steam and disinfect everything
Horrible the way you have a thriving calf one minute, stone dead the next

 

[tanker]

Crypto breaks your heart... There's stuff called Halocur that stopped it here..

 

[Jamer]

Helps but really only answer is hygiene. Steam and disinfect everything
Horrible the way you have a thriving calf one minute, stone dead the next

Yeah, that's why I wondered if plastic slats would enable quick cleaning and drying enabling us to be more proactive with the steam cleaner. I take Rob Drysdale's point in the Dairy Farmer last week that prophylaxis with Halocur is a poor response but he was not so forthcoming with preventative gold standards; I guess it all just boils down to hygiene.

 

[Jamer]

Crypto breaks your heart... There's stuff called Halocur that stopped it here..

We get away without it early season but tend to use it later in calving. I am not wholly convinced it is 100% effective and I certainly think it will be on the "No" radar in time

 

[jamj]

I bought plastic pens from Teemore engineering - the AgriPlastic ones.
Very easy to clean, but calves have to be bedded as no floor available.
Well pleased with them.

 

[Sparkymark]

Yeah i have the solway ones.
Easy to clean.
Yeah doubles the price having slats but you will use less straw as they help the drainage.
A lot of moisture comes out of a calf.

 

[Fergieman]

JFC do plastic calf slats 1200 x 900mm if they are any good to fit in pens.

 

[deleted user 837354]

There must be a way of completely cleaning and sanitising a pen, surely?

 

[jamj]

@Fergieman do you know approx price of slats?

 

[Fergieman]

@Fergieman do you know approx price of slats?

Approx £90 each + Vat

 

[jamj]

Thanks @Fergieman
Seems expensive, and they are too small for my pens.

Have been looking at making out of plastic decking which will cost about £70 + my time to make (which of course is free!)

 

[jamj]

I made a load out of plastic scaffold boards,think they cost about £15 each in materials to make,work brilliant

That seems very reasonable. As said above, I have been looking at decking boards but they are a lot more expensive.
@Kingofgrass
Do you remember where you got them?

Thanks.

 

[michael N123]

Would sheep slats not do ?

 

[Kingofgrass]

That seems very reasonable. As said above, I have been looking at decking boards but they are a lot more expensive.
@Kingofgrass
Do you remember where you got them?

Thanks.

eBay,think we brought about 100 so got them cheap but there isn’t any on there cheap at the mo

 

[pine_guy]

We are looking at some replacement individual calf pens for housing for a short period of time, prior to group rearing on machines and barrels, as part of a system to try and prevent crypto transfer whilst in the first few days. So in trying to do the job as effectively but economically as possible I am looking at Solway calf pens and like the idea of a slatted floor which can easily enable quick cleaning and reuse of the pen. Question is; has anyone purchased these and do you reckon they are worth it?- They double the cost from £80/pen and at the moment I am inclined to try half with/half without. Any opinions?

Just popped up o. My facebook. Thought it might be of interest.

 

[Jamer]

Just popped up o. My facebook. Thought it might be of interest.

Thanks for the heads up.