Sick Cow Pen
Dairy Well
Farms should provide hospital or sick pens that can isolate sick and injured animals from the rest of the herd. These pens should provide:
- Protection from the weather:
- Adequate shade and other heat abatement necessary such that respiratory rate stays within normal limits
- Rows of trees are considered a wind break, not shade
- Adequate shade and other heat abatement necessary such that respiratory rate stays within normal limits
- Free access to fresh feed and clean water
- Food within a nose reach away (for non-ambulatory animals)
- Evidence of frequent access to water (e.g. passes skin tent test) but water can be out of reach
- Soft dry bedding
- A place to safely restrain the cow, such as locking stalls with emergency releases in case of non-ambulatory situations
- Non-ambulatory cows should be isolated from other ambulatory cattle
- 100 sq. ft. resting space and 30 in. of bunk space per cow
- Timely euthanasia should occur
National Dairy Farm Program
- Sick or injured animals should be segregated from healthy animals in separate facilities
- Non-ambulatory animals must have access to feed and water at all times
- Protection from heat and cold should be available (shade, fans, water, cooling, windbreaks)
Validus
- Animals in sick pens must have easy access to feed, water, and shelter
- Protection from predators and weather must be provided
- Pain management and pest control must be provided for animals in sick pens
Acceptable
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Unacceptable
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There is currently no repeatability test for this measure.