Number of calves in a 25'x15' pen.

[buffalo_soldier]

How many would folks put in the above?

Always run at 10 historically, however currently at 12 due to one thing or another.

Google suggests 18 should be possible for sub 150kg calves. Which would help alleviate, but it's nearly double what I would normally do.

 

[Drago]

We have a 20x15 bedded area plus an area 7x15 feed area, which we keep clean and not bedded. Holds 15-16 calves.

 

[Cows 'n grass]

I run 12 littleuns in 15 × 15 pens but they're only in there until they are a month old.

 

[lazy farmer]

Voted for 20. But we are generous with straw have a fan and they are only there for 8 weeks max

 

[organicguy]

20*20 pens here with 15.
Ventilation is key.
Protected open ridge, open front, space board behind.

 

[Drago]

since having the front clean/feeding area and putting a ventilation tube in has made a massive difference to calving rearing.

 

[JackoTS90]

12 or 11. Only reason is that we have 12 feeder stallion feeders and it works well. Not in their long mind you only for about 6 weeks, then outside. Bedded with sawdust 10 inches deep. Happy as and little to no bacterial growth due to sawdust soaking up feces and very well ventilated, which is key for calf health.

 

[pappuller]

How many would folks put in the above?

Always run at 10 historically, however currently at 12 due to one thing or another.

Google suggests 18 should be possible for sub 150kg calves. Which would help alleviate, but it's nearly double what I would normally do.[emoji32]

1 or 2 calves in a 6'x10' pen here

 

[Headless chicken]

1.5m2 per calf upto 100kg I think.

17x10ft will hold 10 with us.

 

[dinderleat]

we put 5 in a 11x11 until weaning so that works out at 15 for yours but keep them bedded well.

 

[Moors Farmer]

2m2 for us.

 

[Beef farmer]

Shanty Town is 2 bales x 1 gate. Holds 10 calves comfortably. Probably 8 of your monsters tho.
14 x 12 ft
Out side, with 1ft sand then rape straw.
4ft of tin sheet over the back of the pen for a dry lie area.

 

[buffalo_soldier]

Cheers,

What I do works from a calf health/growth pov. So can't shift this niggling feeling that I would be daft to put more calves into the same space. Even if I can on paper anyway.

Could be shanty town time, but the 6 inch of rain in the forecast puts me off somewhat

 

[Beef farmer]

Calves are water proof.

 

[buffalo_soldier]

Calves are water proof.

Isn't 6" similar to your annual rainfall

 

[Dead Rabbits]

Cheers,

What I do works from a calf health/growth pov. So can't shift this niggling feeling that I would be daft to put more calves into the same space. Even if I can on paper anyway.

Could be shanty town time, but the 6 inch of rain in the forecast puts me off somewhat

Calves may have to learn to swim there at the bottom of your wash basin if you get 6 in!

 

[som farmer]

the smaller the number, the better they do, so down to number pressure, at any one time.

 

[Ed15677]

20*20 pens here with 15.
Ventilation is key.
Protected open ridge, open front, space board behind.

What feeder do you use to feed 15? The biggest I’ve got is 12

 

[organicguy]

What feeder do you use to feed 15? The biggest I’ve got is 12

Big round green feeders with 20 teats, we have a bigger pen with 18 in, some spare teats works best so that the slow ones find a teat before the rest have finished the milk!
We also have some milk bar 20 teat feeders.
The real low cost boys locally just use a blue barrel!

 

[Beef farmer]

Blue barrel in a old front tractor tyre