A 4-foot high solid partition between pens reduces drafts. Some dairymen rear their pre-weaned calves at one end. When this is done, the partition should go to the roof to separate them from the older heifers and further control drafts. Concrete floors slope 1 inch in 12 inches. This slope, coupled with high animal density, causes the manure to work down the sloped concrete floor by hoof action to the litter alley, which can be scraped with a tractor and blade to one end of the building.
Gates confine the animals in the pens during the alley cleaning.
Twice weekly cleaning is sufficient. The manure may be pushed and loaded with a tractor and bucket loader into a spreader for hauling. Bedding is not necessary for the growth and health of older animals. They will become manure covered on their sides if bedding is not used but growth will not be affected. The heifers clean-up in dry weather and when turned to pasture.