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
• 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

Unacceptable