Calf & Heifer Facilities The next generation of milking cows are your calves today Distinction is in the Details 1
Calf Facilities Starting calves in a path for a long and productive life requires careful planning and observation. Typically smaller group sizes increase the ability to spot problems and changes that are needed. The chart on the facing page is a starting point in the design process. Due to variations in management goals, herd size and calving, changes may need to be made. Animal cleanliness and pack maintenance frequency and labor are directly related to space provided per animal. Calf Housing Considerations Gate styles vary greatly and having the right style for the work flow can greatly enhance the farmers efficiency. 2
Calf Facilities This facility makes use of an innovative design that allows the area around the food and water bowls to be scraped clean with an attachment to a skid loader which fits below the cement dividers and gates. The area which is scraped is several inches lower than the main resting area of the stall which also saves a significant amount of bedding material. Group # Name Typical or Estimated Age 1 baby calf 0 2 months 2 weaned calf Suggested Calf and Heifer Housing Space Requirements Holsteins Typical or Estimated Weight birth weight 175 lbs. Maximum Animals per Group Maximum Age Spread in Group 2 4 months 175 300 lbs. 7 1 month 3 Maximum Weight Variation in Group Width of Minimum Space for Animal to Eat 2 Minimum Bedded Pen or Pack Area per Animal (Excludes feeding area) 3 Suggested Freestall Size length/width 1 30 sq. ft. Do Not Use 18 in. with slant bar dividers 30 sq. ft. Do Not Use 3 heifer 4 8 months 300 500 lbs. based on management ability and 4 months 200 pounds 15 in. 40 sq. ft. Do Not Use calving rate 4 heifer 8 12 months 500 700 lbs. 17 in. 50 sq. ft. 69"x36" 5 heifer 12 16 months 700 900 lbs. 19 in. 60 sq. ft. 84"x40" 6 heifer 16 20 months 900 1100 lbs. 22 in. 70 sq. ft. 96"x43" 7 heifer 8 pre fresh heifer Suggested Holstein Calf & Heifer Housing Space Requirements Holstein 20 months to 1 month precalving pre calving (2 4 weeks) 1100 1300 lbs. 24 in. 80 sq. ft. 102"x45" 30 in. 120 sq. ft. 108"x48" Adapted from Penn State Housing Plans for Calves and Heifers
Calf Facilities Open front calf barns should be faced into the south east by 15-35 degrees, to maximize the winter sun and block the northwest winter winds. This project was built with curtains on both sides to compensate for not being able to build at the correct angle. Back of open front calf barn. Calf farmers find it convenient to have a head lock between calf pens to aid in medicating and inspecting calves. Automatic Calf Feeders Studies and Reviews show that with proper supervision and backgrounding new calves for several days, most calves grow bigger and healthier with the opportunity to feed at will which the Lely Automated Feed system makes possible. With computer tracking the consumption of each calf, it is easy to spot and check on calves. Studies show that less medication is needed per calf when grouping calves and feeding with this system. 4
Heifer Facilities Heifer barn with monoslope roof and shade awning. With a bunk type feeder that they can feed heifers on one side and the animals that are on the exercise lot from the other side. Attached to a 70 cow tie stall barn. Water guards are installed so the animals can only drink from the scrape alley. Note the small curb around the bottom to drain any water the gets splashed out into the scrape alley while still allowing for easy cleaning around the water trough. 5
Free Stalls This barn is designed with five different free stall groups ranging from 34 in. to 45 in spacing, to accommodate heifers from the ages of 7 mo to 22 mo. Heifer free stalls should accommodate the largest animal in that group, otherwise you re holding back that animal. Suggested Feed Barrier Dimensions for Holstein Dairy Heifers Self Closing Fence line Stanchions Slanted Bar Feeder Age (mo) Weight (lbs) Maximum Throat Height Above Animal Standing Surface (in) Height Of Pivot Above Animal Standing Surface (in) Height Of Animal Head Opening (in) Width Of Animal Head Opening (in) Width Of Headlock Clearance When Closed (in) Horizontal Slant Bar Spacing (in) 2-4 200-300 12 NR NR NR NR 5 1 /4 4-8 300-500 14 26-29 9-10 8-9 5 7 8-12 500-700 15 1 /2 28-32 12 11 6 8 1 /2 12-16 700-900 17 33-36 13 12 7 9 1 /2 16-20 900-1100 19 36-39 14 13 7 1 /2 10 1 /2 20-prefresh 1100-1700 21 36-40 14 13 7 1 /2 12 NR - Not recommended for this weight dairy cattle 6
Free Stalls FREESTALL WITH MATTRESS FREESTALL WITH DEEP BEDDING Ln Ln 12" NECK RAIL NECK RAIL 12" STALL LOOP STALL LOOP 3'-0" Hp 7 1 4" Hb Lb BRISKET 12-24" CONCRETE BRISKET Lb 7 1 4" 4" 3'-0" Hp Lso Lso Adapted from recommendations by Penn State Suggested Dimensions For Closed Front Freestalls For Heifer Age (mo) Weight (lbs) Total stall length CLOSED FRONT Length to brisket tube or board Length to neck rail Stall width center to center Height to top of partition Height to neck rail 4-8 300-500 48-54 40-44 38-42 30-32 32-34 32-34 8-12 500-700 60-69 48-52 46-50 34-36 36-39 36-39 12-16 700-900 75-84 56-60 54-58 38-40 38-40 38-40 16-20 900-1100 90-96 64-66 62-64 41-43 42-44 42-44 20 - prefresh 1100-1300 96-102 66-68 64-66 43-45 44-46 44-46 NR - Not recommended for this weight dairy cattle 7
Heifer Facilities We Believe Integrity Shows In The Details Cross Section View POSTS 8' - 12' O.C. TYPICAL HEADLOCKS, VARY BY AGE GROUP (SEE CHART) 3' W. FEED TABLE WITH SMOOTH, ACID RESISTANT, CREVICE-FREE SURFACE TILE, PLASTIC, EPOXY OR HIGH-STRENGTH CONCRETE WITH ADDITIVES 4" VARIES MEASUREMENT VARIES PER AGE GROUP (SEE CHART) ANIMAL STANDING LOCATION WITH GROOVED CONCRETE 8
Heifer Facilities A well designed barn will make it easier to raise cleaner, healthier animals and help you increase the value of your investments. A poor design can produce shocking results. Post & Rail Feed Barrier Suggested dimensions for post and rail feed barriers for dairy heifers and cows (assumes 8" max curb width) Age (Month) Weight (lbs) Max Throat Height Above Animal Standing Surface * (In) Height Of Feed Barrier Rail Above Animal Standing Surface (in) 8-12 500-700 15 1 /2 30 12-16 700-900 17 34 12-20 900-1100 19 41 20-1mo.Pre-Fresh 1100-1300 21 48 2 Wks Pre-Fresh - Mature 1300-1700 21 48 * Maximum recommended throat height. If fence line lockups are to be installed later, lower concrete curb 3" to allow room for bottom rail of lockup panel and space between the bottom rail and curb to prevent feed buildup. Adapted from Penn State Housing Plans for Calves and Heifers 9
Features Open front heifer barns should be faced into the south east by 15-35 degrees, to maximize the winter sun and block the northwest winter winds. This project was built with curtains on both sides to compensate for not being able to build at the correct angle. The distance between wind swirl barriers is determined by the age group of the animals. The roof on a heifer barn should act like a big umbrella keeping off the hot summer sun and the rain out while the curtains on the side walls allow the summer breezes to blow through. Hay and bedding storage for labor efficiency. 10
Features Alley Scrapers According to Penn State studies approximately 50% of the animals waste occurs where they eat and drink. On most farms it takes significantly less bedding when the waste is captured with a scrape alley. Alley scrapers can be run with a chain in a groove below the surface or with the chain on top of an existing floor. These scrapers not only cut down in manual labor but also keep the barn cleaner. Good Concrete Placement And Finishes Are Important For Hoof Health No matter if you have 2 cows or 500, a properly designed facility is safer and reduces stress for both animals and the operator. Hoof Health Your herd not only stands on them, It rises or falls on them! She eats on her feet. She gets exercise on her feet. She shows heat on her feet. She gets milked on her feet. She moves on her feet. Without good feet, She s soon going to be meat! - By Dr. James E Nocek Building Site Consideration For Maximum profitability, a well-designed building must be located at the proper place on a well-selected site. Items to consider when matching a building to a site include: Location of the building in relation to other buildings, prevailing winds, highways, driveways, property lines, surface water drainage, manure storages, and utilities. Manure removal, storage, and handling methods Feed delivery, storage, and handling methods Silos and other obstructions to natural air flow and winter sun Access for feed delivery and livestock trucks Possible future expansion Animal travel between buildings and to pastures 11
Turn Key Operations See us for all your Ag Building needs White Horse Construction Inc. is proud to offer turn-key operations for your commercial, agricultural and equine facilities. Give us a call or see our gallery online for a more complete overview of what we offer. New Construction & Design Remodeling & Renovating No Job Too Big or Too Small White Horse Construction ph: 610-593-5559 toll free: 888-385-2360 5080 Leike Rd, Parkesburg, Pa 19365 WHC