In totally enclosed barns, light of sufficient intensity for the calves to observe one another is recommended for a minimum of 8 hours within any 24-hour period. Tethers should not be used in closed stalls. Tethering may allow animals to be kept in open and larger stalls, providing a greater degree of visual contact between calves and greater ease in adopting resting positions. Group pens should be large enough to allow all animals to lie comfortably at the same time. Group sizes should be kept to a manageable size.
Group size is under review and management is the most critical factor.
To reduce the incidence of falling and aggression between calves, as well as providing rest areas, moveable barriers should be used within a group pen. Group housing involves less restriction on the behaviour of calves and allows for greater social contact between calves. Group housing is now widely used in Europe. However, there are inherent difficulties in providing individual care for each calf, and there is increased risk of disease transmission, particularly during the first 4 weeks of life. Calves in group pens require a higher degree of husbandry to ensure their health and well-being.