Calf Jacket Protocol

The requirement for additional energy management in a calf house varies according to the calf/calves, the weather, and the quality of the calf house environment. In the first week of life a calf is likely to spend extra energy to keep “warm” below an air temperature of maybe 10⁰C. The actual lower critical temperature for any one calf will depend on all those aspects that will influence the energy dynamics of the system:

Calf Jacket benefits

  • Genetics – Jersey calf will feel “cold” before e.g. Charolais calf
  • Birth conditions – normal/prolonged; premature/low birth weight; single/twin
  • Health – vigour/health vs apathetic/low feed intake
  • Nutrition – quality and quantity and timing of colostrum; energy density and dilution of milk powder, adequate intake
  • Air speed – less than 1m/s is good; a draft is negative
  • Dry bedding – essential; damp bedding extracts energy from the calf

Calf Jacket protocol

Jackets must be made of breathable materials.

  1. Locate max/min thermometer in calf house
  2. Reset thermometer every morning during autumn/winter housing
  3. Decide on set temperature for your system, eg 10⁰C
  4. Agree starting protocol with staff: eg. 3 consecutive night-time minimum temperatures below e.g.10⁰C
  5. Calves must be dried off before using jacket
  6. Place clean jacket on every calf below one week of age and on entry to calf house or a soon as dry after birth.

Removing jackets

This is entirely dependent on the energy dynamics listed above; what is the condition and appetite of each calf? What are the expected weather conditions? OR keep on calf until 4 weeks old. Can be left on longer if needed with no ill effects as long as it fits comfortably.

  1. Know the weather forecast; steady or rising temperatures OK, falling temperatures, beware removing jacket too early
  2. Agree with staff a temperature protocol for healthy calves e.g. one week old >10⁰C OK; two week >5⁰C OK; more than 3 week >2⁰C OK
  3. Refer to recent night-time minimum temperatures
  4. Consider individual calf condition; feed intake, health, growth rate
  5. Remove jacket in morning not afternoon
  6. Breathable jackets can be left on even with daytime temperatures unto 19-20⁰C if night time temperatures fall below 10⁰C
  7. Remove excess dirt from jacket with hose/light powerwash or pre-soak
  8. Wash jacket at 40-50⁰C with detergent and dry.
  9. Line dry or dry overnight in aired room. Do Not Tumble Dry.

Calf Jacket Pricing

£22.00 each. Postage and VAT may vary.

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