We are in southwest Scotland visiting Coopon Carse Farm in Newton Stewart. In May 2026, a Flexi Barn consisting of 18 pens was installed here. We are visiting this customer to see how the calves are performing in their new housing.
On the day we arrive, the first calves have only recently been moved into the new barn. Moving calves from one pen to another can sometimes cause stress. We can see that the calves have now settled down. Several groups are resting comfortably on a deep bed of straw, while another group is drinking from the MilkBar (see photo below). Overall, the atmosphere is calm and relaxed.
In the past, calves at Coopon Carse Farm were moved several times after birth. With the arrival of the new Flexi Barn, one of these relocations can be eliminated. This reduces stress for the calves and also saves employees time and labour. In addition, it greatly improves ease of work: feeding is much faster now that all calves can be fed in a single row, one after another (see photo below).
The Flexi Barn installed on this farm consists of 18 pens divided across three compartments. The barn is mounted on concrete walls, making it particularly robust. Each pen is equipped with a ventilation hatch for warm days, a walk-through door, a feed fence with feed trough, a water bowl, and a hay rack. A MilkBar is attached to each feed fence. A circulating water system has been installed to prevent drinking water from freezing. At the customer’s request, the dimensions of the standard Flexi Barn were slightly modified, including the addition of an extended roof. The customer even constructed the concrete feeding area, incorporating several drainage channels to collect and remove urine.
For this customer, the Flexi Barn is the ideal solution: a robust calf barn that improves ease of work while providing the calves with peace, comfort, and space. It is practical to operate, offers ample room, and provides an excellent climate in both summer and winter.
Hilde
Teamlead Calf Housing
