"Anyone know or use a polytunnel to rear calves in spring! Good cheap shelter and dry lie?"
Only ever used to help with lambing season, so apart from birthing no I would not use for rearing but would for vegetables, sorry if not of help to you. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"If it was left open both ends? A 10x20 foot poly tunnel for each batch of 8 calves? "
a 10 x 20 will set you back about £450 plus, be better off building something more substantial in timber which will last longer..? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
 |
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"Just a suggestion , start with mice as you plainly have no idea of livestock ,I'm sure DEFRA may have some info on there website ."
check flexitunnel calf on YouTube my friend being a milkman does not make you an expert!!
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"You understand the waste 8 calves will oroduce ? , you intend mucking out with a shovel ? or a tractor ?"
! They will have free access to half acre pasture also! Its shelter for them to wander in and out of . The manufacturers of flexitunnel say any waste from calves in the tunnel I'd quickly dried and absorbed into the parched covered soil and the sun light in the tunnel kills germs and bacteria that a closed shed would harbour? Is an interesting concept that i'm trying to get information on and asked here if anyone has some helpful advise? Rearing mice wouldn't be very profitable I don't think! Have you experience rearing mice?
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
Amazing how many people are quick to put down anyone thinking differently , are you just using the tunnel for calving ? Or using pens to keep the calves from been trampled then as shelter from the elements ? There seems to be a rare breed comeback going on at the moment have you thought about that direction |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"Forgive my negativity , 8 weaned calves will make short work of 1/2 an acre of pasture ..."
true I may need to consider giving more an acre or two? They will be getting hay silage and grain separately per batch! Its the housing i'm most concerned about! Poly tunnels per batch would be cheap but would they work
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
you know when something plays on your mind and you know you have commented purely on what seems like common sense - well ive since looked up polytunnels for livestock - specially vented and lighter poly stuff seems commonplace - and so i take back my remark about surely animals would overheat etc - they are quite rigidly framed and the sides reinforced etc - and i think i could adapt one as a home and move in ( not with the cattle i might add - i would like my own  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
They are a popular source of cover in new Zealand and they have similar if not more adverse weather than us! But i'm thinking it wouldn't actually end that cheap at all by the time I'd have secured it safely from them vandalising it |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *umpkinMan
over a year ago
near the sounds of the wimborne quarter jack! |
Wwhy not have a word with your local vets and Agricultural College? Surely they`d have basic figures on what is acceptable for cover and what area you`d need for the amount you`re planning on keeping? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
» Add a new message to this topic
