Outdoor calf rearing

[Sheepykid]

Anyone doing it? What are the pitfalls with it if any? Was thinking along the lines of the trailed calf feeders with teats on. I’d assume drug use for pneumonia would be less as long as weather was okay. Some shelter necessary as well. Any experience or suggestions welcome. Thanks.

 

[Milkingforfun]

Anyone doing it? What are the pitfalls with it if any? Was thinking along the lines of the trailed calf feeders with teats on. I’d assume drug use for pneumonia would be less as long as weather was okay. Some shelter necessary as well. Any experience or suggestions welcome. Thanks.

Have never done it but toyed with the idea of it last summer as a way of resting our calf unit which is a challenge as we calve AYR.

 

[Milkingforfun]

Rearing calves outside

Rearing calves outside

We are milking 120 Holstein x Friesians, calving AYR. Calves are loose housed and fed through a Lely branded Forster technik automatic machine. Calf health is reasonable however I believe there is room for improvement. Due to calving AYR we find it impossible to rest the shed and I think this...

thefarmingforum.co.uk

 

[Baldrick]

It is a great time to rear calves outside, very healthy so less vet bills and less expensive as no straw needed. It is a good idea to have some sort of a shelter in case of extreme weather, like an igloo which is perfect.
here is a link to a short video of an outdoor calf rearing system you may find interesting.