Environment quality in 3 types of calf housing in United Kingdom

Dr. Al Kertz shares his insight on calf housing and how it can be influenced by temperature, humidity, light, airspeed and more

By Al Kertz, PhD, PAS, DIPL ACAN, ANDHIL LLC

The environment for young calves can vary considerably depend on housing type and ambient temperature and humidity.

Generally, the zone of thermal neutrality in young dairy calves is from 15 to 26 (59 to 79) C/Fº (NASEM 2021). Previously, we reviewed studies dealing with heat stress (Carmickle et al., 2022; Dado-Senn et al., 2023). This study (Mahendran et al., 2023) focused on calf housing in the United Kingdom (UK).

The UK has a temperate climate that typically features cool, wet winters and warm, wet summers, with mean winter and summer temperatures in 2021 of 3.5/33°C/F and 15.3/60°C/F, respectively; and specific ranges for the southern UK being 0.5/32.5 to 9.0/48°C/F and 13.8/57 to 22.9/73°C/F, respectively.

So, even the upper temperature range of the latter temperatures would not be above the zone of thermal neutrality and heat stress. But most of the winter temperatures would be cold stress being below the zone of thermal neutrality. In the United States, northern climates even have heat stress in summer as found by Dado-Senn et al., (2023); and heat stress was even more pronounced in Florida and California as found by Carmickle et al., (2022).

Housing affects calves’ environment based on stocking density, insulation, bedding, and ventilation. Lago et al., (2006; Kertz 2019) found that ventilation should be about four air exchanges per hour, that humidity increases bacterial load, and that the average moisture content of bedding was 52 % with a range of 32 to 73 %!

Wet bedding exacerbates heat loss as it “wicks” heat from the calf.

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Calf housing can influence calf exposure to temperature, humidity, the resultant Temperature Humidity Index (THI), airspeed, light, bacteria load, and particulate matter/dust. Dr. Al Kertz shares insight on a study that evaluated and characterized how these factors may vary with type of housing and management. Click on image to view our interview.