Abstract:

The NARO calf pen is innovatively designed to not only
provide suitable conditions for accelerated performance of dairy
calves, but also to ease calf management operations particularly
feeding and maintenance of good hygiene.
The design ensures sufficient aeration and protection of
calves from dampness due to a raised and perforated floor. The
pen provides for individual feeding of calves based on calf
specific nutritional requirements.
The placement of feeing buckets out of the pen allows
management to easily withdraw, clean and replace the buckets
following specific feeding regimes.
The traps on the stands prevent entry of animals (e.g. rodents,
reptiles) which could otherwise cause calf discomfort.
The stands of the pen are not fixed into the ground but are
merely placed on a flat surface allowing it to be moved from one
place to another depending on space availability. Lastly, the pen
is constructed from locally available timber making it affordable
for most dairy farmers.