Cattle pens

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glw

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2010
Messages
120
Will having sand in your pens hurt the calf,that you are tring to grow hair on if so what would you use.
 

twistedhshowstock

Well-known member
Joined
May 2, 2011
Messages
758
Location
Nacogdoches, TX
I dont think sand hurts at all.  We have sand in our pens right now for the reason that we find it dries out pretty quick, and doesnt get nasty like shavings can.  We just put lime out on it once a week or so and our pens are staying in good shape.  I dont think sand hurts the hair at all, you just have to remember that those grains of sand will work their way down to the skin, and the water and soap wont get them out of the hair.  I think this should be common practice anyway, but especially with sand, be sure to blow the calf out good BEFORE you wash, or that water and wet hair can trap the sand at the skin.  Just take your blower on high, point it directly into the skin and blow it out of them.  Especially their backs and necks where they like to throw dirt and shavings up with their feet or rub on the ground.
That being said.  If I had a ready supply, could afford to change them once a week or so, and had time to strip pens and change them once a week or so, I would go with fresh Cedar Fiber all the way.  For the simple fact that the natural oils in Cedar Fiber are a natural deterant to flies and other insects.  We just find when you have calves on them a lot in the stalls, shavings get wet and nasty FAST and dont dry adequately when calves are turned out.
 
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