The design concept is shown in the various figures. Heifers should be grouped by size. Pens are normally 12-feet in width. A 24-foot pen can be developed for older heifers by taking out a partition. 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.