Calf jackets: a review of science and practice

Abstract

In the ideal world in which we do not live, where all births are easy, all nutrition balanced, and environmental conditions clean and without thermal stress, calf jackets would never be needed. In reality, however, calves — particularly those born in the winter months in the UK — will likely fall below their thermoneutral zone, requiring a solution. While some added insulation for a cold period might have positive physiological responses, trial data on the value of calf jackets do not often show clear benefits, despite the confidence of some UK producers that they produce benefits for their farms. There are also concerns about the extent of effective hygiene routinely applied to jackets. This article presents and discusses literature related to calf jacket use, and suggests protocols for safe use.