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The Brook, Tybroughton, near Whitchurch, Shropshire, had been facing challenges with calf health due to a high incidence of pneumonia, leading to performance issues in the milking herd. In 2019, the Mottershead family partnered with their vet from Daleside Veterinary Group to monitor calf weights, revealing weight loss instead of gain. The calves’ environment, sharing air space with the milking herd, contributed to the problem. Lung washing identified Pasteurella multocida as the bacterial strain causing pneumonia, prompting the development of a custom vaccine. With calves now vaccinated at days one and 14 of age, along with improved housing, growth rates improved from 0.57kg/day to over 1kg/day.

To address the issue, the family designed a new calf shed with a focus on ventilation and hygiene. The shed, costing £25,000, features single pens at the back with adjustable partitions, allowing calves to be grouped and transitioned as needed. Calves remain in the shed until three to four weeks post-weaning to reduce stress. The shed’s design, including a sloped floor for drainage and optimal ventilation, has significantly improved calf health and growth rates.

Key features of the shed include good ventilation, removable partitions for easy cleaning, and well-designed pen layouts for efficient management. The family utilizes a MilkTaxi feeder for consistent milk delivery and closely monitors calf feeding protocols to ensure individual needs are met. Weaning is based on cudlet consumption, with calves monitored for growth and health before transitioning to the milking herd.

Overall, the new calf shed design has had a positive impact on calf health and growth rates at The Brook, highlighting the importance of proper housing and vaccination protocols in ensuring livestock welfare and performance.

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