Weaning and moving to group housing are two major stresses on the dairy calf. Poorly managed transitions can result in poor calf growth, rough appearance, pot-bellied calves, and outbreaks of disease (pneumonia, coccidosis, and others). Management practices that reduce the impact of these stresses are discussed below. Avoid multiple stresses at one time. Wean calves in individual housing, but do not move to a group pen for one week after weaning.
• Monitor starter intake and calf performance. Starter intake should increase rapidly once the calf is weaned. An adequate supply of clean water is very important in this transition period. Weaned calves will consume 5 to 7 quarts of water per day, especially in the heat of the summer.
• Limit group size in the first pen. The transition to group housing is less stressful when group sizes are small (5 to 10 calves) and all calves are similar in size and age. Small groups also make it easier for the calf manager to identify calves that are doing poorly.
• Provide adequate bunk space. Transition calves are learning to compete for food. Make sure the pen has enough bunk space so that all calves can eat starter and hay at the same time. If bunk space is inadequate, timid heifers tend to have inadequate starter consumption and consume a mostly hay ration. Pot-bellied calves are a common occurrence in this situation.
• Provide adequate water. The first pen for weaned calves should have its own waterer that is easy to find and easy to access by calves. Bucket feeding water is not a good practice since water intakes can vary tremendously between calves. Inadequate water intake is a significant health issue for heat-stressed calves and a significant factor influencing feed intake.
• Provide adequate ventilation. A variety of facilities are used for just-weaned calves including wooden super hutches, commercial polypropylene super hutches, and wooden frame structures. Properly ventilated housing reduces stress due to excessive humidity, ammonia fumes from bedded pack, and aerosolized pathogens. Facilities for weaned calves should not be located close to older heifers or mature cows. Pathogens can be carried by the wind from nearby older animal facilities.
• Provide adequate resting space. Facilities for transition calves usually include a bedded pack area for resting and an exercise area. The facility should provide at least 25 square feet of resting space per calf, and the resting area should be well bedded with straw or other bedding. The exercise area should provide another 35 square feet of area per calf.
