Two Heads Are Better Than One: A Starter Guide to Pairing Dairy Calves

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Two Heads Are Better Than One: A Starter Guide to Pairing Dairy Calves

This series of articles is a seven-part starter guide for pairing or group-housing preweaned dairy calves. Throughout this guide, we cover best practices to promote good health and welfare in calves raised in pairs or small groups.

Authors

This guide was created by Jennifer Van Os, PhD, with contributions from:

Sarah Adcock, PhD, Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences, UW–Madison
Joao Costa, PhD, Department of Animal & Food Sciences, University of Kentucky
Courtney Halbach, MBA, Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, UW–Madison
Tina Kohlman, MS, UW–Madison Division of Extension Fond du Lac County
Emily Miller-Cushon, PhD, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida
Theresa Ollivett, DVM, PhD, Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, UW–Madison
Donald Sockett, DVM, PhD, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, UW–Madison
Sandy Stuttgen, DVM, UW–Madison Division of Extension Taylor County

Why all the fuss about pair housing?

Socially housing dairy calves improves welfare, growth, and adaptability. Many producers find that raising calves in pairs benefits the industry.

Benchmarks for calf health before pair housing

Socially housing dairy calves improves welfare, growth, and adaptability. Many producers find that raising calves in pairs benefits the industry.

Hygiene Practices

Guidelines for dairy producers transitioning to pair or group calf housing, focusing on biosecurity, sanitation, and bedding management.

Options for housing pairs or groups

Proper execution of these housing systems ultimately drives better health outcomes, reduced stress, and increased early-life weight gain.

Grouping strategies

Social calf housing improves feed intake and cognitive development when managed through optimal group sizing and age-matching.

Feeding practices and reducing cross sucking

Cross-sucking and milk-stealing in dairy calves stem from natural, unfulfilled suckling instincts and restricted milk feeding.

Disbudding and dehorning considerations

Disbud calves before 8 weeks using pain control and approved hot iron or caustic paste methods under veterinarian guidance.

Paired Calf Housing Wagner Farms [Video] ▶️

Paired calf housing boosts dairy farm productivity and calf social development by improving growth rates, reducing disease, and potentially lowering labor costs.