Size of a calving pen????

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DB

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Oct 8, 2008
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I was wondering what size of calving pen everyone uses?  I have a couple pens that aren't being used that are roughly 12' x 16' would that be big enough to use for a calving pen or not really?  Thanks for you thoughts.  one last thing, what is your take on having the calves outside instead of calving in the barn?  thanks!
 

leanbeef

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Jan 7, 2012
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A 12 x 16 pen should be plenty big enough to put a cow or heifer in during the labor & delivery process if you need to have her contained or kept up. I actually prefer to calve outside unless the weather is terribly bad or unless I'm especially concerned about catching a heifer to help with delivery. A pen or stall is perfectly fine though as long as it is relatively clean and dry. I'd rather have one born out in a small pasture or paddock as to have it born in a wet or dirty stall.
 

lightnin4

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West Tennessee
We put up some last winter that are 12' x 24' that worked well for us.  I couldn't really tell you if yours are too small or not though.  Being in Tennessee, we calve outside unless we're having extremely cold temps or winter weather.  Extreme conditions don't usually last long here though.
 

aj

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western kansas
My heifer pen is 16 by 16......works good. If we do have to pull one we toss a lariat and tie her in a corner.
 

frostback

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Colorado
12 X 16 is about the size of our shed we use when the weathers bad. Its addiquit. If I were to redo it I would go a bit bigger but if thats what you have it will work. I too only use the pen as needed. It stays cleaner and drier that way. I will let them calve outside in the day and may put them in at night if its cooler.
 

JPS

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columbus
The larger pens are nicer, but don't go any smaller than 12 x 12.  You need that much room, if you have to use a calf puller.  Especially if it happens to be a breech.
 

Bi-Lane Livestock

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Allegan, Mi
JPS said:
The larger pens are nicer, but don't go any smaller than 12 x 12.  You need that much room, if you have to use a calf puller.  Especially if it happens to be a breech.
This is very true!
 

CAB

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Corning,Iowa
We have calved many, many calves in both 10 x 10 & 10 x 8ft. pens.
I don't know the dimensions of the calving pens that Padlock ranches, Sheridan,WY. uses, but I know that they were much smaller than what I use. They call them their "hot boxes" & when they are in the middle of calving season, the most time a cow/heifer gets in the hot box is 12 hours then they have to be turned over. I'm actually sure that they would lose a small # to being laid on.
 

husker1

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Nebraska
we are 12 X 12 and has always worked fine.

I will positively let them calve outside if the conditions are right as well.
 

HAB

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Apr 6, 2010
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North Dakota
We have a couple set up at 10 X 10 and a couple at 10 x 12.

Ours only come in due extreme cold or blizzards, otherwise they all calve outside.

Seldom see any born. ;)
 

Bi-Lane Livestock

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CAB said:
We have calved many, many calves in both 10 x 10 & 10 x 8ft. pens.
I don't know the dimensions of the calving pens that Padlock ranches, Sheridan,WY. uses, but I know that they were much smaller than what I use. They call them their "hot boxes" & when they are in the middle of calving season, the most time a cow/heifer gets in the hot box is 12 hours then they have to be turned over. I'm actually sure that they would lose a small # to being laid on.
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We are 12 x 12 but try to put a jack on one in that pen and it gets tight...95% of the time they work, but if u have to jack in the pen it's tight.  I like the smaller pen for getting them started on the tit though
 

heatherleblanc

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Jan 2, 2012
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163
10 X 10 is what we do, you don't really wanna go any smaller than that. Ours all usually come in (because it is around -10C to -30C) for 12 hours max, just until the calf is cleaned off, standing and sucking, and then they are turned out.  Then we also have a maternity pen in the barn for if we need to pull, and then once the calf is on the ground, they go into one of the smaller pens. 
 
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