Dairy farmers’ number one priority on the farm is caring for their cows. From the moment a calf is born, farmers ensure they receive the care they need at every stage of life. Much like human children progress from a bassinet to a crib to a toddler bed, calf housing evolves as they grow and their needs change.
Early Weeks: Individual Housing or Small Groups
Once a calf is born, they are closely monitored by the farmer. Typically within 24-48 hours they are separated from their mothers for safety and so the farmer can provide optimal care for both the calf and the mother. Learn more and hear from a dairy farmer directly about why separation occurs.
Depending on the farm, calves can then be housed in individual pens, a pen with a hutch, or in pairs or small groups. The farmer will continue monitoring the calves to make sure they are healthy and receiving the proper nutrition.
Regardless of which method a dairy farmer uses to house their calves, they provide clean bedding and protection from the elements to ensure the calves remain comfortable and safe.
Growing Up: Small Group Housing
Most calves will remain in individual or small group housing for the first few months to give their immune systems time to develop. Remaining individually enclosed or in smaller groups allows the farmer to closely monitor any health changes and act quickly to avoid spreading illness between calves.
Once calves are a little older and their immune systems are stronger, farmers will place the calves into groups if they weren’t housed that way already. Depending on the farm and time of year, these groups could be housed in outdoor pens or inside a barn. At this stage, farmers will continue to monitor the calves for proper eating habits, growth, and behavior.
Moving to Larger Pens or Barns
As calves mature into heifers (their “teen” stage), they move into larger group housing. These groups are typically separated by age – like we separate students in classrooms at school – so the farmer can continue to provide them the best care for their current stage. As with the previous housing stages, the farmer’s goal is to provide proper nutrition and a comfortable resting area as they continue growing.
Joining the Milking Herd
Once the heifers have fully matured and had their first calf, they will join the adult milking herd. Depending on the farm and the time of year, the milking herd might be housed in a barn or turned out to pasture.
Calf housing isn’t one-size-fits-all, but regardless of which style of housing they choose, farmers make sure that calves are receiving optimal care. From their first steps to joining the milking herd, calves are raised in spaces designed to help them thrive at every stage of life.
