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Ask the Expert Herd HealthWhat are ideal stocking levels for heifers in 6 row freestall barns with headlocks?

What are ideal stocking levels for heifers in 6 row freestall barns with headlocks?

Michigan Pioneer

July 20th 2011

We have a 700 cow dairy operation that raises just over 700 replacement heifers. Our freestall heifer groups that range from 6 months to 24 months of age are currently significantly over capacity according to freestall space. Our levels in our 4 groups increase from 120% to 169% as they age and pass through the groups. Our AI breeding pen is currently at 133%, and our bred heifers / bull group is at 169%. We have noticed some growth problems (heifers seem to be shorter and heavier). We are planning on selling some heifers to reduce the levels and would like some advise in reguards to what levels are acceptible for raising dairy heifers in freestalls.

Patrick C Hoffman

United States

July 26th 2011

There are not a lot of data in regards to long term effects of overstocking heifers in a freestall barn but what data there is is negative. Meaning variance in eating times, growth, condition etc are undesirably increased. In modern dairy managment an assesment of how many heifers the dairy needs is important. Culling at the earliest age possilbe using parent averages and potentially genomic testing the lower quartile of heifers would aid culling decisions and take crowding pressure of the barn. A six row freestall barn is overstocked at the feed bunk when stall capacity is 100 % so any additional stall stocking density adds to the problem. Dairy heifers are as skilled as dairy cows sorting feed so the second wave of heifers to the bunk will always get a different diet than the first wave.

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