OUTDOORS HOUSING OF CALVES

Poly-domes for the housing of calves have been used successfully in Ge rmany. This system is labour intensive and the natural behavioural nee d of calves for social contact cannot be satisfied. Consequently, a sy stem for group housing of calves in outdoor has been developed and eva luated over more than two years. Free-choice experiments indicate that calves less than 12 weeks of age are best kept in non insulated house s with one open side, protected if necessary, by a wind-shielding-net on this fourth, open side. The lying quarters need to be divided into cubicules to economise on straw usage. Older cattle form 12 weeks of a ge to adulthood only need a lying space, insulated from the ground and protected from rain by a rood and against prevailing wind by a wind-s hielding net. Cuccetta housing, developed in Italy, can also be used i n Germany, following some modification. An analysis indicates that hou sing cattle in a natural environment building is an economic propositi on.