As per title. Not got one but wondering as going to keep a lot more calves this backend do they work. Cost/ planning etc? Seem them on a couple of farms. Anyone using them and also thoughts on using a heatwave in them? Tia
Once saw one in Holland. It had a strip of concrete down the middle for access, then calf hutches along the sides on gravel. The polytunnel was just to keep the weather off and make calf feeding a more pleasant job i guess.
We have one for newborn calves maybe 12 years or longer not sure. I was at school when it was put up so can't help on a price either. We keep the calves in pens and use an automatic feeder.
It's not a permanent structure though, we'll have to change the plastic on it this summer and it will also be very hot on a warm day.
We had on for 7 years, concrete feed passage and back wall of bedded area. It was 70m long. Calves nearer the ends did better as atmosphere was a bit stuffy in the middle. Blew away during storm Doors. Cost nearly as much to replace plastic and broken hoops than rebuild it as a steel lean-to so a no brained. Also NFU refused to insure it if we rebuilt polytunnel
I bought a 20 by 40 ft marquee for calves once for about £600. Thought it was worth a punt instead of the multi hutches that do 4 or 5 at a time. Reared 20 calves well then blew down before mucking out in Jan.
I tried my luck and complained to the selling company (without mentioning calves) and got a replacement for half price.
I don't know much about polytunnel but when building something for calves make sure it has great ventilation. Too many calves are stuck coughing in poorly ventilated sheds.
Be okay in the winter but too hot in the summer. We used one for years for lambing in Feb-April and then for growing tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers etc in the summer & autumn. Plastic lasts about 5 years before it becomes too brittle and need heat repellent tape on the hoops.
Just another small point if putting calves in - watch they don't chew a hole in the plastic cover because once damaged, it will rip as soon as any wind gets up
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