Calf Barn Design to Optimize Health and Ease of Management

Kenneth V Nordlund; Courtney E Halbach

doi:10.1016/j.cvfa.2018.10.002

Calf Barn Design to Optimize Health and Ease of Management

Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 2019 Mar;35(1):29-45. doi: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2018.10.002.

Authors

Kenneth V Nordlund¹, Courtney E Halbach²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Sciences, Food Animal Production Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, WI, USA.
² The Dairyland Initiative, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706-1102, USA. Electronic address: Courtney.halbach@wisc.edu.

PMID: 30686464
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2018.10.002

Abstract

This article offers general calf barn design recommendations to optimize calf health gleaned from clinical and research experience in a Midwestern US climate. Barn components that are discussed include sizing the barn, ventilating the facility, and providing a clean, deeply bedded, dry area for the calf. In addition, considerations for maximizing labor efficiency and reducing the spread of disease by caregivers are discussed.

Keywords: Calf barn; Individual and group housing; Nursing calves; Positive-pressure tube systems; Ventilation.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animal Husbandry*
Animals
Cattle / physiology*
Female
Housing, Animal / standards*