poly tunnel calf rearing

learnabout

Any one ever tried a 10x20 foot poly tunnel to rear 8 to 10 calves? Cost 210 euros would they be ok if well secured? Shelter and dry lie ?

Good loser

Wouldn't they eat the plastic?

learnabout

Good loser wrote: »

Wouldn't they eat the plastic?

But if it was stained tight they wouldn't get a grip to chew ? That's probably the logical reason why they aren't used! Yes I get what you're saying! ESP at the entrance door! Thanks

Good loser

Have you any old house you could use - let them in and out from the start?

Miname

seen them used as sheep sheds before. first 3-4 ft off the ground usually has just windbreak on it with sheep wire inside this. all ends had to be wrapped onto a 2x1 lat. i cant see a reason why it couldnt be used. theres a sheep shed up the road from me thats up nearly 20 years done this way.

td5man

FlexiTunnel Calf Rearing System: http://youtu.be/xbal30FXQVA

kowtow

Can also make a tunnel out of hoops / wood & the shrink wrap used for scaffold. Much tougher than polytunnel plastic, and opaque white so shouldn't heat so much.

Bit of a knack to shrinking it with a flame gun, but comes together really tight.

Often used to put temporary workshops over yachts etc. for restoration.

I have a big roll of it in the yard somewhere, can get the details if anyone needs it.

Livestockmad

Would they not be very hard clean out?? Sheep wouldn't need to be cleaned out only every couple of years but calves are a different story altogether.. I just get reminded of them rooms which are upstairs in the attic of many houses where yuo hit your head off the slanted ceiling when going in near the walls and it would be same when cleaning out them

Markcheese

td5man wrote: »

FlexiTunnel Calf Rearing System: http://youtu.be/xbal30FXQVA

That looks great,and you could move it anywhere - probably pay more for the gates and stalls though -

learnabout

Got a quote for a tunnel installed high sides and concrete base and with everything done all in all i'm looking at 6000 euro to hold about 30 calves!! Shed would be cheaper ! Also no fear of the unknown! Like how would they fare i'm a tunnel health wise !

lakill Farm

learnabout wrote: »

Got a quote for a tunnel installed high sides and concrete base and with everything done all in all i'm looking at 6000 euro to hold about 30 calves!! Shed would be cheaper ! Also no fear of the unknown! Like how would they fare i'm a tunnel health wise !

I put up a 48 x 20 shed for 4/4.5k

How about this :rolleyes:. A shipping container or 2. Saw a lad with calves in them and they can be moved around also. dry, secure and leave the doors open into a small pen where they can be fed?

Buy a 20 x 8 for 600/750e maybe would hold 8- 10 calves
4 of them would defo do your 30 calves for €3000

learnabout

lakill Farm wrote: »

I put up a 48 x 20 shed for 4/4.5k

How about this :rolleyes:. A shipping container or 2. Saw a lad with calves in them and they can be moved around also. dry, secure and leave the doors open into a small pen where they can be fed?

Buy a 20 x 8 for 600/750e maybe would hold 8- 10 calves
4 of them would defo do your 30 calves for €3000

good idea also but would be very very lucky come across a container for that money they usually are twice that price

lakill Farm

learnabout wrote: »

good idea also but would be very very lucky come across a container for that money they usually are twice that price

not the ones that are not certified for sea use

learnabout

lakill Farm wrote: »

not the ones that are not certified for sea use

where can they be got? Done deal and those are advertised at average 1200 each

lakill Farm

http://www.donedeal.ie/storage-for-sale/20ft-steel-storage-container/6763924
They can be got, ones in better condition that this even

maybe some of the shipping companies would have them

_Brian

Again ventilation would be key with the shipping container.. I have a 40ft for general storage and condensation is bad at times.. Stick a handful of calves in and damp bedding too and it could a problem.... Key to calf health is ventilation without a draft..

lakill Farm

_Brian wrote: »

Again ventilation would be key with the shipping container.. I have a 40ft for general storage and condensation is bad at times.. Stick a handful of calves in and damp bedding too and it could a problem.... Key to calf health is ventilation without a draft..

YOu could put ventilation holes high on the side walls with a glow torch?

_Brian

lakill Farm wrote: »

YOu could put ventilation holes high on the side walls with a glow torch?

I'd say it could be done OK, but it would be important to have it right..

Miname

with the likes of a calf shed would it not be as well do a half decent job that will last. An open sided lean-too style shed isnt that dear. I see lads trying to come up with budget remedies for certain jobs that in reality dont have a hope being practical. every shed should be built with at least the ability to drive a tractor into it. A couple of site containers that had calf sh1te up again it for a couple of years would be a dirty looking mess around any farm yard.

learnabout

Miname wrote: »

with the likes of a calf shed would it not be as well do a half decent job that will last. An open sided lean-too style shed isnt that dear. I see lads trying to come up with budget remedies for certain jobs that in reality dont have a hope being practical. every shed should be built with at least the ability to drive a tractor into it. A couple of site containers that had calf sh1te up again it for a couple of years would be a dirty looking mess around any farm yard.

Certainly agree with you in that! The poly tunnel adapted for cattle would look tidy and have height for tractor work but on costing its as dear if not dearer than a lean to shed

Markcheese

learnabout wrote: »

Certainly agree with you in that! The poly tunnel adapted for cattle would look tidy and have height for tractor work but on costing its as dear if not dearer than a lean to shed

The link above was for quite a simple tunnel , quite low, not high sides, no concrete floor, the foundation tubes are into earth - probably less than a grand for the tunnel and plastic !(for 30 odd calves) And if you took the plastic off and packed it carefully after the calves are out you'd have it for years - the pens and gates'd cost more -

F.D

This would be a handy job
even if you had to make the movable shelters your self
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8T7jleTpaw

Cow Porter

F.D wrote: »

This would be a handy job
even if you had to make the movable shelters your self
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8T7jleTpaw

its them igloos that people should be looking at. just wonder how much they would cost :pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH2RN39BoKQ

Markcheese

Is there really much difference between them and the big JFC hutches ??

Cow Porter

Markcheese wrote: »

Is there really much difference between them and the big JFC hutches ??

Dome shape supposed to help air flow over and create a vacuum to pull crap air from inside through the chimney.
Probably a better microclimate in the low igloo - hard to get stack effect with calves.
Coating on them meant to reflect sun heat.
15 calves per igloo

They sell plastic hutches aswell. The calftel ones

gozunda

_Brian wrote: »

Again ventilation would be key with the shipping container.. I have a 40ft for general storage and condensation is bad at times.. Stick a handful of calves in and damp bedding too and it could a problem.... Key to calf health is ventilation without a draft..

This would be the job - with pen outside if needed

[clarification] - re ventilation!!!!

syklops

gozunda wrote: »

This would be the job - with pen outside if needed

For 30 calves?

gozunda

syklops wrote: »

For 30 calves?

You farming?

The OP stated

Any one ever tried a 10x20 foot poly tunnel to rear 8 to 10 calves?

Re discussion about using containers above :rolleyes:

Multiples of?

lakill Farm wrote: »

I put up a 48 x 20 shed for 4/4.5k

How about this :A shipping container or 2. Saw a lad with calves in them and they can be moved around also. dry, secure and leave the doors open into a small pen where they can be fed?

Buy a 20 x 8 for 600/750e maybe would hold 8- 10 calves
4 of them would defo do your 30 calves for €3000