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COWS-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 82
Clean the stalls out so each cow has new clean bedding. Wood shavings can be used but they are not as warm as straw in cold weather and also they will stick to the new calf. Clean straw makes the best bedding, however it should be dry, but not dusty, and on no accounts moldy. Dust and mold can give a calf respiratory problems and also be dangerous to yourself.
If the weather is extremely cold, you can get by without cleaning the stalls if you put clean bedding on top for each new cow. The build up of old bedding and manure helps to keep the barn warmer, however if the weather warms up the stalls need to be cleaned out. NEVER HAVE A COW OR CALF IN A WET, DIRTY STALL.
}Calf houses:
Calf houses/shelters can be built from lumber, old straw bales etc. The shelters can remain as a permanent structure or built on runners that can be pulled with a pickup or tractor to a new location. Choose a dry spot with an opening away from winds, and bed them often with clean straw or hay. Use pole panels or electric fence to keep cows away from the front of the house. Calves will stay inside when the weather is cold and only come out to nurse – they know what is best for them!
HOW TO BUILD SIMPLE PORTABLE HOUSING
To make a simple durable house that can be moved – make sure it is small enough to go through your gates – that is an 8 foot x 16 foot construction with a sloping metal roof and floor. The advantage of a metal floor is that it keeps calves out of the mud and melting snow runoff, and it gives the structure more strength and stability when its time to be moved. It will never blow over in strong winds. You will need large poles of 2 inch x 6 inch boards that can be used for the runners. Leave a small space about half an inch between floorboards so moisture from urine can easily run down through.
The house can be moved periodically to a clean location, but contamination is not a problem if you put clean bedding in and around it regularly. A shelter greatly outweighs any problems caused by congregating the calves.
If you plan to move the house with a pickup or tractor during cold weather, when runners are apt to freeze to the ground, place a few boards under the runners so you can pry them loose.
HOW TO HANDLE COWS AT CALVING TIME
It is usual for a cow to go off by herself to calve. It is best to be with the cow when she calves in case they need a helping hand. You can eliminate most birth losses if you are there for every birth.
Treat and speak to your heifers gently before they calve, the more they
If the weather is extremely cold, you can get by without cleaning the stalls if you put clean bedding on top for each new cow. The build up of old bedding and manure helps to keep the barn warmer, however if the weather warms up the stalls need to be cleaned out. NEVER HAVE A COW OR CALF IN A WET, DIRTY STALL.
}Calf houses:
Calf houses/shelters can be built from lumber, old straw bales etc. The shelters can remain as a permanent structure or built on runners that can be pulled with a pickup or tractor to a new location. Choose a dry spot with an opening away from winds, and bed them often with clean straw or hay. Use pole panels or electric fence to keep cows away from the front of the house. Calves will stay inside when the weather is cold and only come out to nurse – they know what is best for them!
HOW TO BUILD SIMPLE PORTABLE HOUSING
To make a simple durable house that can be moved – make sure it is small enough to go through your gates – that is an 8 foot x 16 foot construction with a sloping metal roof and floor. The advantage of a metal floor is that it keeps calves out of the mud and melting snow runoff, and it gives the structure more strength and stability when its time to be moved. It will never blow over in strong winds. You will need large poles of 2 inch x 6 inch boards that can be used for the runners. Leave a small space about half an inch between floorboards so moisture from urine can easily run down through.
The house can be moved periodically to a clean location, but contamination is not a problem if you put clean bedding in and around it regularly. A shelter greatly outweighs any problems caused by congregating the calves.
If you plan to move the house with a pickup or tractor during cold weather, when runners are apt to freeze to the ground, place a few boards under the runners so you can pry them loose.
HOW TO HANDLE COWS AT CALVING TIME
It is usual for a cow to go off by herself to calve. It is best to be with the cow when she calves in case they need a helping hand. You can eliminate most birth losses if you are there for every birth.
Treat and speak to your heifers gently before they calve, the more they