Slatted shed conversion

letterkenny man

Hi folks friend of mine wants to build on calf laying pen behind slats of existing shed me and him were just thinking which is the best way there is a 8ft high concrete wall at back of shed so should we knock it all put in barrier and post and small gate or just cut a piece out put in post and gate and leave remaining wall wall is on top of slats too thanks for any help

49801

I would leave da wall and just make an opening big enough to let the calves through.

By leaving the wall you would be in a better position to allow the calves access to the cows for sucking twice a day. By separating/excluding them from each other you can get the cowes to cycle much sooner.

Consider having two entrances and 2 ly back areas
One for calves sub 2 wks of age where they have free access to moms
The second entrance and area for older calves where you can separate.
Just a few old gates lashed together with twine will split the calf area.

Be handier again if you had the ability to spilt the pen for the cow to match the respective calf areas but more expense then you are probably planning ATM.

letterkenny man

49801 wrote: »

I would leave da wall and just make an opening big enough to let the calves through.

By leaving the wall you would be in a better position to allow the calves access to the cows for sucking twice a day. By separating/excluding them from each other you can get the cowes to cycle much sooner.

Consider having two entrances and 2 ly back areas
One for calves sub 2 wks of age where they have free access to moms
The second entrance and area for older calves where you can separate.
Just a few old gates lashed together with twine will split the calf area.

Be handier again if you had the ability to spilt the pen for the cow to match the respective calf areas but more expense then you are probably planning ATM.

Yeah we have the slats in 2 Pens will be making 2 calf lay backs we were planing on putting in gates so cows could have access

Feckthis

letterkenny man wrote: »

Yeah we have the slats in 2 Pens will be making 2 calf lay backs we were planing on putting in gates so cows could have access

Are you adding on much of a building for the calves?

letterkenny man

Feckthis wrote: »

Are you adding on much of a building for the calves?

Adding on about 10ft inside do you think it's big enough

J.O. Farmer

I saw in ballyhaiae a similar setup in that there was a highish wall behind the slats and a creep gate at one end.
They reckoned a problem was that a cow could spend the day looking over the gate at her calf blocking it up if you're going to allow unrestricted access to cows. If you're going to twice a day suckling it'll be fine.

letterkenny man

J.O. Farmer wrote: »

I saw in ballyhaiae a similar setup in that there was a highish wall behind the slats and a creep gate at one end.
They reckoned a problem was that a cow could spend the day looking over the gate at her calf blocking it up if you're going to allow unrestricted access to cows. If you're going to twice a day suckling it'll be fine.

How high do you reckon the wall was yes will be goin with twice a day suckling should ok

Bitten & Hisses

letterkenny man wrote: »

Adding on about 10ft inside do you think it's big enough

Having clear access at either end of the building to get in with a tractor to clean out the straw is a must. Plenty height, large doors, etc. will also be good for ventilation

letterkenny man

Bitten & Hisses wrote: »

Having clear access at either end of the building to get in with a tractor to clean out the straw is a must. Plenty height, large doors, etc. will also be good for ventilation

Yeah have access at both ends what height are doors normally 10 ft or So