Calf Hutches – Top 6 Benefits of Raising Calves Using Hutches
Calf hutches have proven to be an excellent option for housing very young calves. When used correctly (ie, placed on a well-drained surface, facing south during cold weather and facing north during hot weather), they provide some important advantages over other housing options.
Benefit 1: Calf hutches help prevent the spread of contagious diseases
The closed conditions of the typical cattle barn can be a breeding ground for disease. Diarrhea and respiratory conditions such as pneumonia are common threats to a young calf, whose immune system is still developing.
Separating a young nursing calf from other calves and the general population greatly reduces exposure to harmful disease-causing agents and microorganisms. Research has shown that most disease transmission is primarily due to animal-to-animal contact. Creating some insulation for a young calf removes a significant threat to its health.
Benefit 2: calf hutches are inexpensive
Compared to the cost of building large structures like cattle barns, the low cost of calf sheds is a huge advantage. Individual cabins can be purchased for around $200, and home-built cabins can be built for even less.
Another big cost advantage to sheds is the ability to expand capacity in small increments as needed. Building a new barn because you have exceeded the existing capacity by a small amount is not profitable. With sheds it is much easier to match capacity to actual requirements.
Benefit 3: Calf hutches are easy to clean and access
Booths are lightweight and portable, making them easy to clean. They can simply be moved to a clean area, and then equipment like front end loaders can make quick work of accumulated manure and old bedding if needed. Being able to lift them also allows easy access for maintenance, cleaning or repairs, as well as to the calf and the mother.
The portability and easy cleaning of the hutch allows for a more hygienic and healthier environment for a young calf.
Benefit 4: Calf hutch portability
The portability of the hutch, as described above, is a huge advantage when it comes to cleanliness, but it can also be an advantage in the event a calf gets sick. You can move susceptible calves away from other calves or the general population, or further than you think your own contaminated area might be.
You can also easily move them to different areas of the field or pasture, or to completely new areas.
Benefit 5: Calf hutches provide more space
While individual hutches may be small, they are generally larger than the barns within a large cattle barn. Also, depending on how they are arranged and used, crates can allow more freedom for the calf to exercise and roam outside, rather than being cooped up in a stall in a large barn. More fresh air and comfort means a healthier, happier calf.
Benefit 6: Calf hutches allow for greater control and management
The separation that comes with the use of hutches allows much more insight into the health and condition of individual calves. For example, when they are grouped together in a pen or barn, it becomes more difficult to determine which calf is leaving the diarrhea cakes. Now, if there are several types of diarrhea, which calf has what type of diarrhea symptoms.
When calves are separated, there is never any question as to which calf is showing symptoms of diarrhoea, so a diagnosis and any necessary treatment can begin without delay.
While hutches can provide some important advantages over large barns or lots, there are also some important considerations when using hutches. First, proper ventilation is always important for a young calf. Whether you are purchasing sheds or building your own, ensuring proper airflow through the shed is critical. Also, even isolated young calves need clean, dry bedding, especially in cold conditions. A clean, dry, well-ventilated hutch provides the best opportunity for a calf to stay healthy and grow. For more information on how to prevent diarrhea in calves with the use of calf sheds, click here.