Multiple Use Polytunnel

[rookswood]

Hi looking for some advise for my gf. She has a 25m by 9m poly tunnel at home and has her 35 pedigree sheep in one end and the other end is empty at the mo.
A local farmer has asked if she would consider rearing a few calves for him in the other end. She just wants to check that doing so would not be a disease risk for her sheep. Any advise would be gratefully received.

 

[Longlowdog]

I've seen sheep burst through a polytunnel even with gale breaker lowers. I'd have grave misgivings about the life expectancy of one with calves in.
Sorry I don't know of cross species diseases but would Johne's be an issue if you can't give lambs colostrum from Johne's cattle?

 

[TripleSix]

It should be fine.

The calves will need good ventilation without it being draughty though.

And will want penning out of reach of the plastic or they'll eat a hole init

 

[neilo]

It should be fine.

The calves will need good ventilation without it being draughty though.

And will want penning out of reach of the plastic or they'll eat a hole init

^this. Given a calf’s reach and inquisitive nature and the sloping roof from 1m up, you are going to be looking at a 6m wide pen at best. If half the tunnel is available, that would leave a 6m x 12m pen, which won’t hold many calves, or not enough to be piddling about with i’d Have thought.

 

[Hard Graft]

why not grow some food in the other end

 

[Kidds]

why not grow some food in the other end

My first thoughts too but I doubt it is clear polythene. Warmth off the animals should make it frost free, quite a potential for an early crop of something. Also potential disaster when the animals get out and eat the crop.

 

[Paul E]

why not grow some food in the other end

Or Cannabis?

If the sheep get out and eat it........

 

[delilah]

Looking at your location, drone storage ?

 

[primmiemoo]

I haven't been brave enough to rear calves in the one here. Would be concerned about them chewing everything, and pushing through the sides.

Wouldn't think disease would be a problem, because I used to lamb ewes next to a group of calves in the wooden shed (unless something has been discovered within the last 10 years that is a problem).

It's draughts and ventilation that are the most important matters, ime.