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320. Although it is a legal requirement (The Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1994) for dairy farmers to provide separate calving facilities when cattle are housed, many do not. Yet the provision of separate facilities offers a number of disease control and welfare advantages. These include ease of restraining the cow for veterinary treatment; the calving pen can be thoroughly cleaned out and disinfected following each calving; the cow can be left in isolation if necessary; and the calf cannot suck from other cows. Isolation facilities are essential for disease control and may be required for entry into herd health schemes.
321. Calving and hospital pens should form an integral part of any dairy unit design, which should also allow easy removal of any recumbent or dead animal. Calving pens should be near to the dry cow yard, to allow ready transfer at calving, and to the milking parlour, to allow ease of movement for the cow to return to her calf.
322. Water should be freely available and feeding facilities provided. Ideally, milking equipment should also be available.
323. The calving facilities should be of a design and size that will ensure sufficient space for the animal, prevent slipping and facilitate easy cleaning.
324. Calving and hospital pens should be available, with an entrance of sufficient width to allow easy herding of each cow into the pen and to provide access by tractor. Pens should be sited so as to be easily accessible and to enable regular observation. Provision should be made to allow lifting gear to be used.