Livestock/General Farming photo thread ***READ MOD NOTE IN POST #1***

End of feb heifer (brown)
End of jan heifer (white)

munkus wrote: »

Beautiful shed, fair play to ya. I'd say the steelwork cost a fortune!

+1

visatorro wrote: »

Do you mind me asking what made you choose the comfort mats

Not at all. I visited a couple of local farms and saw both comfort and Easyfix. Thought that the comfort mats stayed cleaner. The way they are fitted down over the slats means that none of the gaps between slats are blocked in the way that the Easyfix do. The rounded shape also helps I think. They also feel a lot more cushioned underfoot. I have big heavy Chx cows and I would never have put them straight on to concrete slats from a welfare perspective alone. Many other (probably better) farmers than myself would argue that they are unnecessary and/or a waste for sucklers......each to their own I suppose.

I agree with you parish about the mats. I've easyfix ones. Before I put them in there was always a cow that needed a break from the concrete. Also the cows are happier, show heat better etc etc. My justification is hopefully on average they'll extend the productive cow's lifespan by a year.

Parishlad wrote: »

Ah but going by many of the 'down with that sort of thing' brigade GSD already has the best shed money can't buy!
If u travelled a few miles inland from that majestic part of the country u would find that we are on a lot less solid footing!

How are ya getting on with the testing?

Parishlad wrote: »

Not at all. I visited a couple of local farms and saw both comfort and Easyfix. Thought that the comfort mats stayed cleaner. The way they are fitted down over the slats means that none of the gaps between slats are blocked in the way that the Easyfix do. The rounded shape also helps I think. They also feel a lot more cushioned underfoot. I have big heavy Chx cows and I would never have put them straight on to concrete slats from a welfare perspective alone. Many other (probably better) farmers than myself would argue that they are unnecessary and/or a waste for sucklers......each to their own I suppose.

Do you find the comfort mats slippy? I chose the easyfix mats as they are grooved.(and cheaper )

just do it wrote: »

I agree with you parish about the mats. I've easyfix ones. Before I put them in there was always a cow that needed a break from the concrete. Also the cows are happier, show heat better etc etc. My justification is hopefully on average they'll extend the productive cow's lifespan by a year.

Massive +1 first year I had the slatted house there was an old cow that would hardly ever lie down on the bare mats because she found it difficult getting up. Following year then with the mats she was much more content as the mats provided extra grip for her getting up.

Parishlad wrote: »

Would u believe that my first retest won't be until end of July! They left me with the cows until they calved. 4 calved within about a month of the test. The last one should have calved early April going by scan.....she didn't calve until May and they left her with the calf for 10 days. Have a lovely heifer calf but it has rightly messed up getting on with the retesting. Will be starting to get get nervous again very soon!

Ah you'll be grand. Lovely shed by the way. No mats here and every year there's at least one cow taken out of the slats. The concrete wears them out.

.Kovu. wrote: »

You should have told me to fix my hair in that photo:p

Well, they all know how you really broke your ankle now!!

.Kovu. wrote: »

Yea.....I'll have to wear steel toe boots in future whenever I'm kicking bucks like him up the rear end

Yeah up the rear end....right