Indoor or outdoor accommodation?

Many livestock farmers have good experience of housing their calves in igloos, outdoors. The infection load is lower thanks to the fresh air, but young calves up to the age of 14 days are vulnerable.

“Is the quality of the plastic of the igloo good enough?” is just one question put forward by Lieke Janssen, young stock ­specialist at Agrifirm in The Netherlands. “Does the igloo reflect sunlight well enough to prevent the temperature inside rising to 60 degrees in full sunshine, with an outdoor temperature of 30 degrees?”

Johan Verdaasdonk, young cattle ­specialist at Nutrifeed, also pointed out the importance of a dry area around the igloo. “If there is a leak in the gutter of a nearby cowshed, water can easily run into the igloo, leading to cold, wet bedding.” In that kind of situation, accommodation indoors is better. “Make sure you choose an easily movable accommodation type; cubicles that are easy to clean and open at the top,” suggested Lieke. “With an open top, you have easy access, and you can see the calf. At a single glance, you can get a better impression of the calf’s health.”

Is the igloo reflective enough?