Calving pen Bedding

[drl]

What do you use for bedding where you help pull calves? We have been using cornstalks but they are not very absorbent with all the fluids. We do have a source of sawdust that we could use that is mostly from hardwood. I did here though one local dairy farm that was using sawdust in there calving pens and had trouble with navel infections but when they switched off the sawdust they had less issues. Normally we pull calves in the designated calving pen with the headcatch and move them immediately to a pen with corn stalks for them to get licked off even before the cow gets let out.

 

[SWMO]

We use straw.  I personally don't like putting a wet calf on sawdust.  It sticks all over them.

 

[kanshow]

We use straw and lots of it.  Sawdust is too easy for them to inhale. 

 

[CMB]

Straw and dry mulch.

 

[BA Maines]

Chopped Oat Straw on the bottom and Long baled straw on top. Lots of it.  Chopped straw is very absorbant and the long straw makes a nice comfy bed and keeps calves warm. 

 

[Alpha]

when we pull a calf we put wood chips down first then straw on top of it just behind the cow....... and in the pens we just go with straw

 

[RankeCattleCo]

On the dairy side of things we use chopped bean vine bedding.  It's seriously one of the most absorbent types of bedding you will EVER find plus it makes about as good of a bedding pack as any so you really save on your bedding.  Our calving pen kind of doubles as a dry cow pen, with anywhere between 6 and 16 cows.  The cows calve in the same place.  It can stick to the coats like sawdust but it is rarely a problem.  As soon as the calves are licked off they're seperated, but I know for a fact that the bean vines won't keep them as warm because it doesn't 'fluff up' like long stemmed bedding, but that's how all chopped bedding is.  Overall it works pretty good but is most likely not accesible by most as it has to be run through a field chopper right after the beans are combined.

 

[kfacres]

On the dairy side of things we use chopped bean vine bedding.  It's seriously one of the most absorbent types of bedding you will EVER find plus it makes about as good of a bedding pack as any so you really save on your bedding.  Our calving pen kind of doubles as a dry cow pen, with anywhere between 6 and 16 cows.  The cows calve in the same place.  It can stick to the coats like sawdust but it is rarely a problem.  As soon as the calves are licked off they're seperated, but I know for a fact that the bean vines won't keep them as warm because it doesn't 'fluff up' like long stemmed bedding, but that's how all chopped bedding is.  Overall it works pretty good but is most likely not accesible by most as it has to be run through a field chopper right after the beans are combined.

we use the same bean chop== some years...

IMO- the dirtier the bedding-- the more absorbant it will be.... 

 

[RankeCattleCo]

BS-  ))
Exactly.  I always cuss and end up waking up the morning after I unload a few chopper boxes of that stuff with eye gunk the size of freakin marbles  :

That darn stuff is so dusty though, that's that only downside.  Makes great bedding and it's FREE.  Saves the straw for the horse farmers.  And the show calves.  (lol)

 

[kfacres]

BS-   ))
Exactly.  I always cuss and end up waking up the morning after I unload a few chopper boxes of that stuff with eye gunk the size of freakin marbles  :

That darn stuff is so dusty though, that's that only downside.  Makes great bedding and it's FREE.  Saves the straw for the horse farmers.  And the show calves.  (lol)

I agree...  if it wasn't for fairs-- I wouldn't buy any straw that was colorful-- I prefer using the rained on stuff myself- as long as it's not moldy..

But boy that bean chaff stuff beats about all... 

 

[RankeCattleCo]

There isn't much of it though.  Takes a few rounds to get a full load.  Other than that, I love it.  We alternate bedding in the heifer show pen with bean vines or chopped hay chaff.  Works like a champ.

 

[kfacres]

There isn't much of it though.  Takes a few rounds to get a full load.  Other than that, I love it.  We alternate bedding in the heifer show pen with bean vines or chopped hay chaff.  Works like a champ.

you know, as I sit here and read that...  I do agree-- while in the tractor pulling the baler.. I remember thinking.. Will I ever get a complete bale of this DIRT>  (dog) (lol) (thumbsup)

 

[RankeCattleCo]

There isn't much of it though.  Takes a few rounds to get a full load.  Other than that, I love it.  We alternate bedding in the heifer show pen with bean vines or chopped hay chaff.  Works like a champ.

you know, as I sit here and read that...  I do agree-- while in the tractor pulling the baler.. I remember thinking.. Will I ever get a complete bale of this DIRT>   (dog) (lol) (thumbsup)

EXACTLY- the bales are almost 60 lbs but 40 lbs. dirt and dust  (lol)
Works good in the conventional gutters though, that's for sure

 

[Diamond]

wood pellets, its vary absorbant, but wont stick to the calves.