Dairy cattle in some management situations cannot be given adequate individual attention near parturition. To facilitate more frequent observations, cattle may be moved to a group maternity pen about 5 days before the expected date of calving. Some managers prefer to move cows to individual pens about 0.5 day before parturition, but the calf may be born in the group pen when parturition proceeds normally. Cows thought to require assistance during calving and any cow that is harassed by others should be moved to an individual pen. Sand was used effectively for bedding this pen, although straw, saw dust, and wood shavings are alternatives. Regardless of the bedding, manure must be removed from group maternity pens at least times daily, and fresh bedding added daily.

Group maternity pen

Credit: Hoard's Dairyman

Digital Credit: Michel Wattiaux

Publisher: Unknown

Rights: Name must appear as a credit whenever the image is used -

Description: Dairy cattle in some management situations cannot be given adequate individual attention near parturition. To facilitate more frequent observations, cattle may be moved to a group maternity pen about 5 days before the expected date of calving. Some managers prefer to move cows to individual pens about 0.5 day before parturition, but the calf may be born in the group pen when parturition proceeds normally. Cows thought to require assistance during calving and any cow that is harassed by others should be moved to an individual pen. Sand was used effectively for bedding this pen, although straw, saw dust, and wood shavings are alternatives. Regardless of the bedding, manure must be removed from group maternity pens at least times daily, and fresh bedding added daily.

Resolution: 600x373

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Group maternity pen

Credit: Hoard's Dairyman

Digital Credit: Michel Wattiaux

Publisher: Unknown