Group calf hutch set up

[YELROM]

Group Hutches - Intershape Ltd

Group Hutches Group Calf Hutches We recommend that calves are moved into Multimax group hutches after weaning in groups of 4 or 5 until they are 4 or 5 months old. Farmers also use Multimax hutches successfully for groups of pre-weaned calves or a smaller number of older calves. The Calf-Tel...

www.intershape.com

I have bought some second hand group calf hutches like the link above, they have not come with any penning for the front of the hutches so was just wondering what people have used on theirs.
I haven't priced up intershape fronts yet but do the likes of Bateman or IAE etc make them
Also i will need some outside adlib feeders for them, has anyone made any out of 200ltr chemical drums that work or where would be the best place to buy covered feeders

 

[lazy farmer]

Group Hutches - Intershape Ltd

Group Hutches Group Calf Hutches We recommend that calves are moved into Multimax group hutches after weaning in groups of 4 or 5 until they are 4 or 5 months old. Farmers also use Multimax hutches successfully for groups of pre-weaned calves or a smaller number of older calves. The Calf-Tel...

www.intershape.com

I have bought some second hand group calf hutches like the link above, they have not come with any penning for the front of the hutches so was just wondering what people have used on theirs.
I haven't priced up intershape fronts yet but do the likes of Bateman or IAE etc make them
Also i will need some outside adlib feeders for them, has anyone made any out of 200ltr chemical drums that work or where would be the best place to buy covered feeders

Sorry no experience on the gate front. We have used 200l,drums and peach teats for nearly twenty yrs. on an ad-lib system upto 20 calves works well. On a tad system 16 I would say would be better to avoid the shy ones struggling.

 

[YELROM]

Sorry no experience on the gate front. We have used 200l,drums and peach teats for nearly twenty yrs. on an ad-lib system upto 20 calves works well. On a tad system 16 I would say would be better to avoid the shy ones struggling.

Sorry was meaning adlib feeders for meal not milk

 

[Homesy]

There is a few pics in their gallery

Calf Hutches

Calf-Tel calf hutches supplied by Intershape Ltd www.intershape.com

www.flickr.com

 

[nonemouse]

I use these on groups of 5 in hutches, had them 2 years, worked well, but seem to have gone up in price a fair bit since I bought mine.


https://www.directwatertanks.co.uk/...QKMwkCk3ftPpWL2mS-p_w3PYLDeLGuARoCCKgQAvD_BwE

 

[lazy farmer]

Sorry was meaning adlib feeders for meal not milk

Whoops!

 

[coomoo]

Was it in here I seen the 20l drums cut for pellets and straw

 

[farmboy]

Sorry no experience on the gate front. We have used 200l,drums and peach teats for nearly twenty yrs. on an ad-lib system upto 20 calves works well. On a tad system 16 I would say would be better to avoid the shy ones struggling.

I’ve made a couple out of 200l and peach teats for ad lib feeding groups this autumn. Do you use non return valves in the pipes or does it work ok without?

 

[lazy farmer]

I’ve made a couple out of 200l and peach teats for ad lib feeding groups this autumn. Do you use non return valves in the pipes or does it work ok without?

Without. The harder they work the more saliva they produce?
we are careful over the first 24hrs that they don’t become “disappointed” if the milk drops down the pipe and they have to start sucking again for a few seconds before the milk reappears. After that no issues.

 

[farmboy]

Without. The harder they work the more saliva they produce?
we are careful over the first 24hrs that they don’t become “disappointed” if the milk drops down the pipe and they have to start sucking again for a few seconds before the milk reappears. After that no issues.

Thanks for that. They’ll be on milkbar feeders with peach teats innto start with them move in to bigger groups on the ad-lib feeders once they know what it’s all about. Well that’s the plan anyway

 

[lazy farmer]

Fair enough. Though if your calf feeder is contentious there really is no need for the milk bar if the calf has been bottle fed from birth.

 

[ImLost]

Sorry no experience on the gate front. We have used 200l,drums and peach teats for nearly twenty yrs. on an ad-lib system upto 20 calves works well. On a tad system 16 I would say would be better to avoid the shy ones struggling.

16 calves per 200l barrel?

 

[farmboy]

Fair enough. Though if your calf feeder is contentious there really is no need for the milk bar if the calf has been bottle fed from birth.

Pen Layout and availability comes in to it a bit as well to be fair. Like most people I’m still evolving the system!!

 

[farmboy]

Fair enough. Though if your calf feeder is contentious there really is no need for the milk bar if the calf has been bottle fed from birth.

My chief calf rearer is going to be on maternity leave this year

 

[Horn&corn]

We use a 20 litre drum with hole in side hung off hurdle with rope. One for pellets and one for water. Can’t be knocked over.

 

[YELROM]

We use a 20 litre drum with hole in side hung off hurdle with rope. One for pellets and one for water. Can’t be knocked over.

Do you cut the hole near the top of drum so they put there heads in for feed and water

 

[Horn&corn]

Yep third of the way up to form small trough for pellets. Cut opposite side to cap so water runs off rather than into food. Handle for rope loop.
simples

 

[YELROM]

Well i priced up the group hutch fronts off intershape today and they are £454.70 per hutch plus £200 delivery
Anyone know where you could buy similar fronts for less

 

[Cows 'n grass]

This is our set up just using hurdles for the front pens.

I'm going to buy more hutches before next spring and I'm probably going to upgrade to 3 X 12 foot gates .

I use these wydale cake feeders

 

[ImLost]

This is our set up just using hurdles for the front pens.
View attachment 894187
I'm going to buy more hutches before next spring and I'm probably going to upgrade to 3 X 12 foot gates .

I use these wydale cake feeders
View attachment 894190

What is the overall size of the whole pen including the calf hutch, and how many per pen?