Agri-Plastics Poly Group Hutch

A Group Hutch is transitional housing for calves after single-calf hutches and before they join a large herd. This staged step reduces feed competition and social stress, helping calves bond and avoid weight and health setbacks often seen with direct transfer to large groups.

Transfer calves as soon as they’re weaned, using grain intake rather than age as your guide. Wean when a calf consumes about 2.1 lb of grain per day for three consecutive days (typically under 45 days), and place similar‑sized calves together to minimize stress.

They can reduce investment per calf by up to 50%, because fewer single-calf hutches are needed and the hutch cost is shared across a group. Feeding and cleaning per calf take less time, and the gentler transition supports faster gains with fewer health issues.

Face the hutch toward warmer, southerly winds and place it on well‑drained gravel/sand or pasture, with feed and water at least 24 ft straight out from the front. Allow ~50 sq ft per calf, feed twice daily as you transition from grain to forage, sanitize and rotate between groups, and consider vinyl‑strip doors in very cold or windy climates (see the Loyal Catalog).

Calves typically remain in a Group Hutch until ~500 lb (about 5–6 months) before moving to larger groups. Hutches are versatile for group housing (goats, sheep, mini‑horses, etc.), feed storage, utility sheds, or even ice‑fishing shanties with vinyl‑strip doors; note that steel pens shown are not included.