POLY GROUP HUTCH™
How Group Hutches™ Work

• Group Hutches™ serve as a transitional "half-way house"... after living in a single-calf hutch... but before adjusting to a large group
• Weaned calves transferred from isolation to a Group Hutch™ can gradually adjust to similar-sized calves (and will actually bond for protection)... before transfer to a large group
• Calves can be moved earlier from isolation to a Group Hutch™, due to less competition for food... and less social stress... than found in a large herd
• Group Hutches™ avoid the setbacks in weight and health that often occur from direct transfer to a large herd... by delaying the added competition for food... the increased nose-to-nose contact... and the higher social stress
• Group Hutches™ provide the highest daily weight gain when it's most important... during a calf's early months
• Each calf's health can be monitored easier in a Group Hutch™ vs a large group

When to Transfer Calves to a Group Hutch™

• Transfer calves as soon as weaned
• Wean based on grain intake vs age (less than 45 days on average)
• Wean calves as soon as they are consuming 2.1 Ibs. of grain per day for three days
• Transfer similar-sized calves to the same Group Hutch™... to minimize social stress... and reduce competition for food

Group Hutches™ Can Reduce Investment
Per Calf by Up to 50%

• Fewer single-calf hutches are required, as calves can be transferred earlier to Group Hutches™ - so emptied single-calf hutches are available sooner
• The investment in a Group Hutch™ is spread out over groups of calves vs single calves
• Feeding and cleaning time per calf is less with a Group Hutch™ vs with single-calf hutches
• Faster weight gains and less health problems are found with Group Hutches™ vs direct transfer from isolation to large groups

Group Hutch™ Operation Tips

• Position front of hutch toward warmer, southerly winds
• Locate hutches on either:

  • gravel or sand base with good drainage
  • pasture with good drainage
• Locate water and feed minimum of 24' straight out from front of hutch
• Allow approx. 50 sq. ft. of pen space per calf when computing length of pen
• Use 16' cattle panels as needed for the computed length of pen
• Place similar-size calves in each group hutch... for maximum weight gain
• Feed calves twice per day — changing from grain to forage
• Calves can remain in Group Hutch™ up to 500 Ibs. (approx. 5 to 6 months old)
• Sanitize hutch after each group of calves has been transferred, remove bedding and manure, and rotate hutch to new location (rotate back to original location for next group)
• Vinyl-strip door material is available from us for very cold/windy climates - (Click Here)

Group Hutch™ Uses Are Unlimited

• Group housing for goats, llamas, mini-horses, hogs, sheep, chickens, ostriches, etc.
• Feed storage - dry, cool and portable
• Utility shed - equipment, tools, lawn/garden supplies, etc.
• Ice-fishing shanty (vinyl-strip door material available) - (Click Here)