Bicton College has introduced an innovative housing environment for their calves to ensure their wellbeing and chances of achieving optimum health while they grow.

The agricultural college in East Devon has purchased calf igloos, purpose built shelters that help farmers give their young animals the best possible start in life.

Gareth Wyn-Evans, Farm Manager at Bicton College’s Home Farm says: ‘It’s fantastic to have calf igloos on the farm for our animals here at Bicton. They offer optimal ventilation, shelter and protection from the elements while still encouraging the calves to enjoy an outside life.’ In keeping with the 5 freedoms, a guideline for animal owner's 'Duty of Care' in British Law, Bicton College also took the decision to keep the calves in sets of 10 so they can establish friendship groups. This in turn helps the students to feed the animals in their care by reducing their workload.

As well as the hollowed out, curved structure that forms the shelter element of the igloo, Bicton College calves also have the use of an outside run area formed by a bed of recycled pine from left over Christmas trees, which are an excellent natural disinfectant and mixed in with straw for comfort.

As Gareth continues, ‘The use of igloos and outdoor housing is proving increasingly popular and has already shown health advantages for our calves. Our calves need an environment that provides excellent air flow without excessive draughts, which can adversely affect their health.

By offering good ventilation, the igloos give the calves the benefit of fresh air, whilst sheltering them from adverse weather and having an overly draughty home. With calving now at an end, we have seen very few problems indeed, which is very positive, and offers an excellent learning opportunity for our students.’ ‘Here at Bicton College, we firmly believe in using the best possible technology to ensure the welfare of our animals, the sustainability of agriculture for our farmers as well as the profitability of the farm.’