Considering a revamp for your calves housing? Hold that thought for a moment. Planning the perfect calf housing site is akin to devising a stellar marketing strategy—it's all about getting the details right.

You need a plan that not only aligns with your management style, but also boosts labor productivity, and skyrockets calf performance. So, what should be on your checklist?

Here's a sneak peek into the essentials that should form part of your roadmap:

What's driving this change?

Is it to simplify cleaning, boost productivity, improve drainage, and reduce the need for bedding, or is there another reason?

Kickstart your brainstorming with this checklist:

·         What's your game plan for delivering feed and water?

·         What kind of bedding is available, and where is its storage spot?

·         Is your site snug enough to ensure milk (or water) reaches calves at just the right temp?

·         How about water access for cleaning up those hutches?

·         Do you have a dedicated spot to spruce up equipment?

·         How will the site stay spick and span? Any disinfection protocols?

Get your calves care team in on this. Let them throw in their two cents. After all, collective brainpower often spawns the most brilliant ideas.

How many hutches do you need?

Ensuring you have the right number of hutches is the game-changer for a seamless weaning process.

A common rule of thumb is that about 10% of your milking herd should be in hutches at any given time. Take a 1200-cow dairy farm nearby as an example; they typically house around 120 calves in hutches. You may want to modify this amount based on how long the calves stay in these hutches and whether you are growing bull calves.

In addition, many farms keep extra hutches for a 7–10 day window. Why? This allows ample time for sanitizing, cleaning, and drying, minimizing the risk of bacteria or illnesses between calves.

Hutch Foundations: Drainage, Cleaning, and More

Gravel, stone, and concrete take the lead when it comes to hutch pad locations. It is essential to elevate calves on a foundation that drains effectively. Doing so ensures cleanliness, promotes better health, and even reduces the need for bedding.

Gravel and Stone

These pads typically layer larger stones at the bottom, capped with finer gravel or stone on top. When it's time to clean, take the bedding off. Allow the area to air out. Let it dry for a week to ten days.

Concrete

There is no doubt that concrete has a hefty initial cost. However, its return on investment lies in the ease of cleaning and disinfecting. Aim for a 3% slope and incorporate drainage grooves. If feasible, direct runoff to a catch basin for later field spreading.

Aside from this innovative recycling method, there's more! Concrete pads are primed for power washing, acting as a stronghold against disease. There is a catch, though. Once you go concrete, you're committing to a fixed location. So, mull over any future expansion goals before cementing this choice.

Direct Ground Placement

Brace for challenges if you place hutches directly on the ground. Without adequate moisture from both urine and rain builds up around the hutch. This will lead to increased bedding consumption and a struggle to keep calves dry. You might even encounter a noticeable surge in bothersome flies.

When planning the layout for calf hutches, fresh air must come first. Opt for an open space. Avoid wind-blocking structures like barns and silo bunkers. Maintain a safe distance from feed bunks, manure lagoons, and any other sources of gases that could harm calf health.

Here are some tips:

·         Dedicate a separate space for hutch cleaning. You wouldn't want bacteria and grime to spread during pressure cleaning. This bacteria could endanger the health of your calves.

·         For optimal spacing, set hutch rows 10 feet apart, with individual hutches within a row at a 1-foot distance. Doing so prevents direct contact between the calves. It makes it simple for caregivers to access the animals for feeding and bedding.

·         Lastly, before settling on a hutch location, measure the equipment you'll be using—whether it's for feeding, bedding, or site cleaning. This guarantees enough room for hassle-free movement between rows.

Hutch location

The location of your hutches throughout the year has a significant impact on the health of your calves. During summer, the aim is to maximize airflow.  The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association Gold Standards suggest placing hutch rows to face east to west for best shade. Moreover, during summer, position hutches to take advantage of the prevailing breeze. Don't forget to open the rear bedding doors and vents to expel warm air. Some farmers even lift the back of the hutch a few inches for extra ventilation.

In contrast, the goal during winter is to shield the hutches from prevailing winds. The proper orientation ensures that breezes hit the hutch's side rather than its front. Some growers take extra precautions based on the local wind conditions. They may run a cable along the top of the hutches to secure them during storms or employ windbreaks such as stacked straws, corn stalk bales, or windscreens. This strategic placement maintains comfort and ensures safety during more challenging weather conditions.

When formulating a plan for your hutch site, engaging in thoughtful collaboration is essential. Include your calf care team, veterinarian, and contractor in discussions. Remember, the goal is to craft a layout tailored to your unique situation. This way, you can promote healthy calf growth and foster an efficient, smooth workflow for your team.