Questions on Calves under Fans

[jd438]

I had a few questions on what you do when you put calves under fans.

Do you keep them tied all day?
If you keep them tied how do you provide water?
Do you keep hay in front of them at all times under fans?

 

[vc]

This is what we do,  in the morning: run them in and tie, blow out dirt, rinse, morning hair product, blow out and feed, pull pans after about a half hour. Afternoon, blow, rinse, blow out, offer water, tie standing with head up for about an hour, prior to kick out "just before dark" work hair, sheen, blow, kick out, feed grain and hay, fresh water available all night. the calves will adjust to drinking water, just like a cow in a pasture they will drink in the morning, go out and graze all day, then drink again in the evening.

If you feed hay where you tie them it becomes a mess in a hurry.

 

[obie105]

Keep them tied. Had a heifer I was keeping at a horse barn during college that if she wasn't tied would stand with her face in the fan blowing her hair the wrong way. We rigged something up after a couple of days lol. Ours only get water and hay at night when kicked out. We bring them in every morning blow out and comb through. Put product in hair and feed. When I come home from work I feed, then at dark rinse, blow and kick out. It was a bit different when I was in school and showing junior shows but you come up with the best routine for you. Mornings are busy here so we do our work in the evenings.

 

[jd438]

How long are you guys going without water? 
We are gone at work for 10 hours or so and want to make sure we are ok to not have anything in front of calves for 10 hours or so. 

 

[vc]

10 hours won't hurt them, they will fill up at night. Start them out on the weekend so you can watch them.

 

[obie105]

Ya it should be fine. Many of times from the time mine to in til they come out in 12 or more. I also am gone during the day.

 

[Cham2135]

Before we had a cooler we tied under fans. We would feed then wash dry ect. Then on our way out of the wash rack we'd give them a drink. Tied them under fans tell night time washing then kick them out for feed. Never had a problem with it.

On days when it was 100+ and 90%+ humidity (Iowa summer) we would take a 5 gallon bucket of water just so they were a little more comfortable

 

[rackranch]

We do not tie in front of fans unless we are working them.  They migrate to them naturally and lye in front of them all day.  Hay at night after working/feeding is complete. Free choice water 27/7. Here is a picture of our set up.  There is about 8' of space behind the calves where 5 fans are hanging side by side.  This is where they choose to lay down during the day.  You can see the water trough in the back ground.  This area is cleaned in the evening and shut off during the night.  The fans run 24 hours a day and at night some will lay just outside the pen in front of the tie. G-Luck