The barn

Page reviewed:  24/09/2025

Floor plans for our different batches.

Here we show the different barn layouts within which we have housed cows and calves together. Across the seven research batches so far, we have tested several different approaches, including:

·         Modifying the location and size of the contact area and calf creep

·         Cow-driven (Batch 1–4, 7) vs calf-driven (Batch 5, 6) contact, whereby either the cow or the calf has the primary initiative to seek contact

·         Varying the resources shared by cows and calves (i.e., stalls, access to a common feeding table, etc.)

 

Floor plan design for batch no. 6

Drawing (plan sketch) of how the barn was designed during batch 6 of the project.
The barn design during batch 6 of the project. Drawing made by Claire Wegner.

 

Floor plan design for batch no. 5

Drawing (plan sketch) of how the barn was designed during batch 5 of the project.
The barn design during batch 5 of the project. Drawing made by Claire Wegner.

 

Floor plan design for batch no. 3, 4 + 7

Drawing (plan sketch) of how the barn was designed during batch 3, 4 and 7 of the project.
The barn design during batch 3, 4 and 7 of the project. Drawing made by Claire Wegner.

 

Floor plan design for batch no. 2

Drawing (plan sketch) of how the barn was designed during batch 2 of the project.
The barn design during batch 2 of the project. Drawing made by Claire Wegner.

 

Floor plan design, limited contact area for batch no. 1

Barn design. Batch 1.
Barn design during batch 1 in the project. Drawing by Claire Wegner.

 

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