Polytunnel for calf rearing

[ste stuart]

Hi, I fancy rearing a few calves as a side line, but need extra housing to do so, my first thought was put a lean-to on an existing shed, max I could really do due to various factors would be 60'x14', I could fabricate and erect myself so I know it would cost that much but it's a bit of an arkward size to get the heat/ventilation right but also leave decent acces for machinery and be suitable for something else if I change my mind. Or do folk think it would be ok? Anyone care to offer up a suitable design?
Also I'm only a tenant and anything erected couldn't be taken with me, this has got me looking at tunnels, due to being able to put it out the way I could get a much bigger area for a start. I'm just wandering if anyone uses one specifically for calf rearing? If so which firms are best to contact? The ones I've seen advertised are mesh sided with not ventilation in the roof, that doesn't seem right to me? Ideally I thick I'd want solid sides up to maybe 4' then a bit of mesh and some roof ventilation, does anyone have something like this? I don't think a tunnel would be that hard to keep warm in winter but how do folk keep them cool enough in summer? Maybe removable sides and acces to and outdoor pen?

Any experiences, thoughts or opinions would be greatfuly received.

Ste

 

[Bald Rick]

McGregor polytunnels do a calf specific one. Circa £8500 if they erect it, cheaper if you do.
Can be added to or side by side at later dates

 

[Al R]

Any marquee companies near you? They might have some old ones or hire out of season? I know a few people that do this with serious numbers of calves involved

 

[Brodey1986]

I had a 30 by 60 tunnel put under calves last year by a private chap who makes them was around £3,500 has solid sides then mesh then roof vents also. It has great ventilation even tall enough to get my tractor in for mucking out and down each side.

 

[RJ1]

I had a 30 by 60 tunnel put under calves last year by a private chap who makes them was around £3,500 has solid sides then mesh then roof vents also. It has great ventilation even tall enough to get my tractor in for mucking out and down each side.

That looks really good, with the solid sides. The one thing i don't understand with the McGregor one is how there is no draft at ground level with the mesh seemingly down to the bottom.

What company did that one for you?

 

[Brodey1986]

It was a private one man band.
Makes the tunnels from scratch and puts them up for you.
Travels all over the UK I belive.

 

[som farmer]

make sure ventilation is correct, friend had one to lamb his ewes, fine, thought a batch of calves would be a good idea, disaster, not enough air movement, even with both ends wide open.

 

[Brodey1986]

Mines got roof vents and a big cattle shed fan at one end drawing the air through. But would certainly get hot if not

 

[howDairy1416]

It was a private one man band.
Makes the tunnels from scratch and puts them up for you.
Travels all over the UK I belive.

do you have any contact details for him please, we are thinking of putting one up and are looking for someone to give us a few ideas / quote?