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Ceiling Fans for Calf Ventilation

April 28, 2025

moisture resistant ceiling fan

Why Calf Ventilation Is Important 

When it comes to calves, there are many things to consider ensuring their environment is suitable for their safety and comfort. Two major factors are heat stress and respiratory disease. Both have negative impacts on their health and wellbeing, but there are measures which can be taken to mitigate them. One product we recommend for calves is our ceiling fans, which can help resolve or prevent serious health issues. 

 

What do the ceiling fans do? 

The ceiling fans destratisfy barn air volume, they do not create air exchange, so it is best paired with an inlet fan that brings in air. Once fresh air is introduced into the building, the ceiling fan will push it down to calf zone which is a foot or less from the ground. Calves spend around 70% of their day for the first few months of their lives, laying on the ground in the calf zone. The reason these ceiling fans work well for calf ventilation is because they do not draft them. According to Dr. Michael Wolf, Consulting Veterinarian for VES-Artex, air speeds over 60 feet per min (fpm) are considered a draft, 30-60 fpm is a good place to be, and under 30 fpm means the air is stale and can cause health concerns.  

dairy calves

What could happen if proper steps are not taken? 

As they are laying in the calf zone, their heads are close to the bedding, which means they are breathing in the waste and noxious gases, such as ammonia, which are deposited in the bedding. Ceiling fans can provide fresh air to the calf zone, decreasing the influence of the noxious gases on the developing calves. If there are not preventative measures in effect like having ceiling fans, or any calf ventilation, calves are more at risk for respiratory diseases. If they become sick these are some outcomes that may occur: 

  • Delayed puberty 
  • Lowered average daily gains 
  • More days on feed 
  • Reduced lifetime milk 
  • Increased labor costs 
  • Increased drug usage 
  • & more 

Obviously, none of these outcomes are beneficial, that’s why it is important to take care of and prepare for calves properly. With the help of ceiling fans, farmers will notice there is an increase in calf welfare, productivity, and economic growth.  Are you ready to see how calf ventilation can help build your dairy legacy? Contact us today to schedule a consultation!

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dairy calves

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