View - SILOKING

Igloo shelter for the fi rst few
weeks
The immune system of calves takes
three to four months to develop completely.
Only then can a calf protect
itself independently from invasive
germs. The fi rst few weeks are crucial.
So how best can we protect calves
from these germs?
Fresh air and a clean
environment
Dangerous germs are airborne and
also arise through direct contact with
other calves. It is important to break
this cycle of infestation. The rule is:
The less contact with other calves
and the fresher the air the better.
So the best way of rearing a calf
in the early weeks is to keep it in an
Igloo. The calves can be reared separately
and preferably outside the
cowshed, out of doors. There are two
main considerations: the calves must
not get wet and must not suffer from
www.siloking.com
Comfortable cows ar
The fi rst few weeks are crucial
The longer the calves are housed in
igloos, the better their resistance to
infection
Comparison: heated stall and igloo, days 1-42
(Davis, C.L. a. Drackley, L.K., 2000)
Heated stall Igloo
Dairy exchanger 20,3 kg 20,8 kg
Calf rearing feed 28,3 kg 40,0 kg
Daily weight increase 340 g 509 g
Digestion of feed 0,36 0,45
Diarrhoea
(1=normal consistency, 2=liquid) 1,23 1,07
Treatments 19,2 2,9
draughts when lying down. So cold
air is an advantage (less germs) and
does not trouble the calves; high temperatures
in the Igloo are to be avoided.
This has all been confi rmed by
research.
In the research results it was clear
that in the groups investigated out of
24 calves, those needing treatment
dropped from 19 to just 3. Needles to
say, better health means a better appetite
and better digestion and higher
daily weight gain.
Air, light and water
Separate dry conditions with fresh
air provide the best environment for
healthy calves. The shape and characteristics
of the igloo are very important.
White igloos refl ect the sun and
prevent additional heat build-up inside.
The inside should be designed to
allow the free circulation of air without
the need for additional openings and
so that condensation cannot drip on
the animals. Calves need milk but it is
important to provide them with water
too from the start. From week 2 calf
rearing feed and hay should be added.
With its bucket holder and hay rack
the FLIXBOX is well equipped.
An open air run allows the calf to
enjoy the outdoors (e.g. fresh morning
air) and benefi t from the positive
effects of direct sunlight (UV).
The preferred igloo material is GRP
(glass reinforced plastic). It is more
stable than the cheaper polyethylene
and is UV resistant with a long service
life (polyethylene becomes brittle and
cracks in sunlight).
Interesting benefi ts in effi ciency
It is true that calves kept individually
take up more of your time than those
kept together as a group, but don’t
forget that sick calves kept together
are more work than healthy calves in
The FLIXBOX multi-occupancy igloo is designed for seven calves. A convenient
door allows easy access and regular checking of the calves All the calves can
be dealt with at the same time with the metal fencing.