New calf rearing shed

Reggie.

Right folks I'm building a dedicated calf rearing shed at the min.

Shed is 16ft by 25ft
For rearing 6 to 8 calves annually

Just to make sure I don't miss a trick. If you were building one what would you have or wish you had put in yours with hindsight

Milked out

Reggie. wrote: »

Right folks I'm building a dedicated calf rearing shed at the min.

Shed is 16ft by 25ft
For rearing 6 to 8 calves annually

Just to make sure I don't miss a trick. If you were building one what would you have or wish you had http://www.fwi.co.uk/news/shadow-defra-secretary-revealed-as-anti-meat-campaigner.htm?cmpid=SOC|Twitter|FarmersWeekly|sf13052665|sf13052665put in yours with hindsight

Water trough either outside the pen or at a point where the fall is exiting pen for that time when it leaks over night at least whole pen won't be soaked.
We got gates made up which are adjustable, the bars are all horizontal so calves won't get stuck sticking their heads thru in one section like with a diagonal barrier type gate and the meal troughs hang on outside so calves don't soil meal and easier to fill as well. The horizontal bars can be moved up and down as calves grow to allow a bigger space and the gate itself can move up and down as bedding rises/ calves grow. Troughs are just 12 inch corripipe cut in half with brackets made up so they hook on the box iron gates, the brackets have a straight leg down so they are supported by the lower bars of the gate instead of hanging down from the bars above and getting in the way like the ones in the coop.
If making a shed here I would make it it so calves could be moved out of pens to another spot handy enuv and pens located that you could just drive in the loader to clean em out without much twisting and turning. Hot water would be handy for milk replacer and enough space to leave a few bales of straw for feeding. A drainage pipe or duct with a steel mesh/grid over it it to catch liquid handy also going to slurry tank
Obvious ones then no draughts and plenty ventilation.

cute geoge

A small door at back of pen so they can slip in and out to a paddock ,it was mid june this year before calves were left to grass full time .If you could get calves out even for a few hours ,they are healthier and cheaper to keep them

_Brian

cute geoge wrote: »

A small door at back of pen so they can slip in and out to a paddock ,it was mid june this year before calves were left to grass full time .If you could get calves out even for a few hours ,they are healthier and cheaper to keep them

This was my thoughts too..
Looking at the photo maybe a passage could go out in the back right hand corner along the existing shed where the bank is lowest..

We've found by far the healthiest calves are those with access to outdoors.

Kevhog1988

ill be watching this with great interest

whelan2

Reggie. wrote: »

Right folks I'm building a dedicated calf rearing shed at the min.

Shed is 16ft by 25ft
For rearing 6 to 8 calves annually

Just to make sure I don't miss a trick. If you were building one what would you have or wish you had put in yours with hindsight

is it not a bit airy? How will you keep them in:D

Sacrolyte

whelan2 wrote: »

is it not a bit airy? How will you keep them in:D

I think he's been looking at that topless cubicle thread a bit too much.

Greengrass1

https://youtu.be/g0ob2wvQYYg

Thus is what ye need Reggie

Reggie.

whelan2 wrote: »

is it not a bit airy? How will you keep them in:D

There's always one :rolleyes:

Reggie.

theemigrant wrote: »

ill be watching this with great interest

All ya have to do is call over

Reggie.

Greengrass1 wrote: »

https://youtu.be/g0ob2wvQYYg

Thus is what ye need Reggie

May get the digger back

awaywithyou

Reggie. wrote: »

May get the digger back

build it double the size you need... nothing wrong wit it being too big... .alot wrong wit it being too small...

i think the following is a must:

hot water (washing buckets or whatever)
vent sheeting
access to both concrete area outside and paddock.... can first be let out and fed on outdoor concrete area(weather permitting) and then from there to paddock.... room for calf ration and straw
accesible to be cleaned out by loader
spare pen so calves can be moved to it while cleaning being done...

best of luck

Base price

whelan2 wrote: »

is it not a bit airy? How will you keep them in:D

Ventilation, ventilation and more ventilation, you cannot have enough - no draughts though. If building with blocks then plenty of gaps near roof level otherwise the green storm netting stuff.
What orientation is the shed? Reason I ask is due to prevailing wind. Overhanging roof to the front if prone to rain blowing in. Sliding storm netting would also cover this and when pushed back will allow access for your MF with front loader to clean the bedding out with a bit of grape work
Slip gate in main gate/barrier to front to allow for easy movement of a calf in or out.
Gate valve on any trough/drinkers.
A water plug in thingie for a power hose with gate valve.
Other than adequate strip lighting a few bayonet light fittings to hold energy efficient bulbs on a separate switch. When we buy in calves we always leave a dim light on the first couple of nights.
Two mains plugs - dehorner, power hose etc
Hang-on straw/hay racks- your good with a welder and could make them yourself.
I know you work full time off farm but don't know what other sheds you have other than your work/machinery shed. A thought which may suit you - a partial mezzanine to store small square bales of straw. You could load them into the space with MF and front loader. Easy peasy to toss a few small squares for bedding rather than hauling them from another shed.
If you are going to store straw/hay in that space then I would also suggest a fire alarm of some description.
Some sort of race/crush on the left hand bank of the shed to catch calves on site to administer dose, inject or test.

Greengrass1

Reggie. wrote: »

May get the digger back

Make it as big as possible with a good slope away from bedding so water doesn't pool under it.
The wet area in that video is a v good idea

Cow Porter

Total floor area 2.3 m2 per calf
Bedded area 1.6m2 per calf
Hard area in pen 0.7m2 per calf

Inlet requirement 0.04 to 0.05 m2 per calf each side
Outlet requirement 0.08m2 per calf
Inlet 1.8 to 2.5m above floor level
Roof pitch min 23 degrees with 1.5 to 2.5m height difference between Inlet and outlet

6 to 8 cubic metres air capacity

Floor slope 1 in 20 to front and 1 in 60 to take this again,

Long axis at right angles to prevailing wind, long narrow (max 11m) house better.


http://www.kerryagribusiness.ie/public_agri_recommend_mar2003_5.asp

Still in the planning phase here lol

raypallas

Good slope in floor, setup penning si it can be removed or swing out of the way for cleaning out. No one wants to be forking out calf dung every year! A small access gate into each pen. As well the usual "airy and access to land" replies.

Any thoughts on calf slats to reduce straw usage? (Don't have them but would like to see other people's opinions on them)

Reggie.

Cheers for all the replies folks.

This will be a stand alone shed. That field to the left I wasn't going to have access too as it's the FILs field but I might have a rethink on that.

Good fall to the front a lead. Blocks upto 5ft on left side and rear but all the way up on the right side.

Front of shed is south facing so I'm gonna have to put a full door in the front.

As for slats I usually use plastic pallets with straw on top. Might go with bases idea of a lie in at the back to keep in heat.

Miname

It's a shame blocking up the view of that stonework.

Reggie.

Miname wrote: »

It's a shame blocking up the view of that stonework.

Plenty of it on show from the other side

jimini0

Am I the only one who cant see the photo?????
I'm intrigued now with all the talk

awaywithyou

What height should the walls in calf house.... Remember being in more park a couple of yrs ago.... And I'd say the walls of calf house weren't much more than 4 or 5 ft high.....

Mad4simmental

Any new gates we put up around the calving pens ect we put about two foot of mesh onto them at the bottom. Stops them getting stuck in them or hopping into the next pen. Galv dip everything.

Kevhog1988

Reggie. wrote: »

All ya have to do is call over

if i ever fecking get home

Reggie.

Mad4simmental wrote: »

Any new gates we put up around the calving pens ect we put about two foot of mesh onto them at the bottom. Stops them getting stuck in them or hopping into the next pen. Galv dip everything.

I'll have one large area/pen approx 15ft by 20ft. Like the idea of the mesh at the bottom

Base price

Mad4simmental wrote: »

Any new gates we put up around the calving pens ect we put about two foot of mesh onto them at the bottom. Stops them getting stuck in them or hopping into the next pen. Galv dip everything.

Personally I wouldn't have mesh fence anywhere near calves. Nothing better to rip out tags other than loops in baler twine.
I presume that Reggie is going to make his own gates. Therefore I presume he spaces the lower rungs to stop calves. If he buys in gates then he can always tack some rebar to close up the gaps.
Here are some pics of gates that we made adjustments to standard gates as as overflow temporary calf pens to accommodate meal and drinkers.
WP_20140327_003.jpg

Base price

For some reason I could only attach one pic
Try again.
Actually one of the pics is from a made up gate the OH welded together from cubicles cut out from the old slatted unit.

keep going

First thing is plenty air over their heads but no rain should be able to get in.second drainage damp bedding is a killer, thirdly three solid sides with one open side to cut draughts at a calf height.fourth loader friendly and throw away the pike.have a sick bay, nothing dramatic but dont delay when you see a calf off so have something ready to go

Milked out

Pics of the gates we made up, the 3 middle bars can be moved up and down. In the second pic the entire gate can move up and down its vertical bar. The weight of the gate along with two bolts to tighten in hold it up. They are heavy alright tho. May be a bit if overkill but having been caught for space with being locked up and a late spring I said may as well make em strong enough for older calves if need be

orm0nd

http://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/calf-housing-8-simple-steps-to-get-it-right/


haven't read the posts, but proper ventilation/air flow is vital

a house that's suitable in Dec/Jan might be totally unsuitable in Mar/apr due to climate

Reggie.

Update on the shed. Pics below. Now vented side sheeting or timber slats on the sides for ventilation is the question

Mac Taylor

Reggie. wrote: »

Update on the shed. Pics below. Now vented side sheeting or timber slats on the sides for ventilation is the question

Reggie, fine looking job, what kind of money are you looking at for materials? Look forward to seeing the finished article.

Reggie.

Mac Taylor wrote: »

Reggie, fine looking job, what kind of money are you looking at for materials? Look forward to seeing the finished article.

At the min. The poles I had. The blocks were €500 and blocklayer is €400. Cement and the likes was €120. The steel for roof and cleats was €180. Cladding I think will be in the region of €800 I reckon. Concrete underneath was €600

Deepsouthwest

Base price wrote: »

For some reason I could only attach one pic
Try again.
Actually one of the pics is from a made up gate the OH welded together from cubicles cut out from the old slatted unit.

How do u keep those split barrels there base price? Looks a great idea for sharing throughs between two pens

Reggie.

Deepsouthwest wrote: »

How do u keep those split barrels there base price? Looks a great idea for sharing throughs between two pens

Pressure from the bars top and bottom

Base price

Reggie. wrote: »

Pressure from the bars top and bottom

Yep and there are slots cut into the ends to catch the top bar and that stops them sliding one way or another.

Reggie.

Guys and gals what size are the timber slats on the sheds for the vendilation. 4x1?

CloughCasey1

Reggie. wrote: »

Guys and gals what size are the timber slats on the sheds for the vendilation. 4x1?

3x1 with inch gap I thought.

Reggie.

CloughCasey1 wrote: »

3x1 with inch gap I thought.

Cheers

Bullocks

Reggie. wrote: »

Cheers

Ours are 4x1 with about 3/4 " gap . I suppose you could go bigger or smaller depending on whether you think you want more or less airflow .

frazzledhome

This is what you need Reggie

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgsmtfcdkOY

Reggie.

Bullocks wrote: »

Ours are 4x1 with about 3/4 " gap . I suppose you could go bigger or smaller depending on whether you think you want more or less airflow .

Mmmm. 4x1 might be enough as the shed is on a height as it is

Bullocks

Reggie. wrote: »

Mmmm. 4x1 might be enough as the shed is on a height as it is

Whats your plan for the gutter on the existing shed beside it ?

Reggie.

Bullocks wrote: »

Whats your plan for the gutter on the existing shed beside it ?

No gutter. Have made a concrete channel so the rain can fall down into it between the walls and flow off

Bullocks

Reggie. wrote: »

No gutter. Have made a concrete channel so the rain can fall down into it between the walls and flow off

Will that be encouraging a bit of damp on the wall if its splashing off it all the time

Reggie.

Bullocks wrote: »

Will that be encouraging a bit of damp on the wall if its splashing off it all the time

Very little actually hits the wall but it is going to be plastered with three layers on that side on the inside so hopefully that will do.

CloughCasey1

Going converting half of a machinery shed to use when calves are weaned at end of January. Will have sheeted gate that will have access to grass when there is a good day promised. Will be buying first of them this time next mt.

Reggie.

Update photos

J DEERE

Nice job. What's the pitch of the roof? Do you have final breakdown of costs?

Reggie.

J DEERE wrote: »

Nice job. What's the pitch of the roof? Do you have final breakdown of costs?

2ft drop over 24ft. Not finished with the costs just yet. It's around 4k atm

Odelay

Reggie. wrote: »

Update photos

Excellent job, them treated 6x1 on the side will serve well.

_Brian

Sweet job Reggie..