Group housing calves

[Farmer_1994]

Producers with group housing, what is the maximum age gap you would want between oldest and youngest calf? Headlock, with bottle holders for feeding. Thinking maximum group size of 8 which would take us about two weeks to fill. Is that to much age gap between youngest and oldest in the pen?

 

[Spudley]

I think 2 weeks is fine, especially if you have headlocks.

 

[Sandpit Farm]

Life cycle of Cocci is 3 weeks... so 2 weeks would be ok but I would take care of weak calves separately - perhaps using jackets. Any more than 2 weeks and you will find your older calves could easily knock your younger ones instantly if Cocci takes hold.

Is there any way of having smaller groups of 4-6?

 

[Farmer_1994]

Life cycle of Cocci is 3 weeks... so 2 weeks would be ok but I would take care of weak calves separately - perhaps using jackets. Any more than 2 weeks and you will find your older calves could easily knock your younger ones instantly if Cocci takes hold.

Is there any way of having smaller groups of 4-6?

For a bit the groups will be smaller but after our expansion the barn will be at capacity. We are going to be individuals housing the calves for the first 4 weeks to keep a better eye on them and to prevent disease transmission. I would hope by 4 weeks we don’t have anything to worry about health wise when they go into the group pens.