ALTER4: Pens

In DairyComp, pen types, like AI, BULL, and DRY, are not just pen classifications. DairyComp records different data and performs various workflows depending on the pen's type. For example, if an animal is moved to a bull pen, DairyComp automatically enters the BULLPEN event into the cow's record (to document potential exposure to a bull) and adds her to the appropriate veterinary exam.

Expand the pen types below to learn more about the processes that occur in DairyComp when animals are moved into in each pen type:

Use the Change option or double-click a pen to preview a pen or change its details.

Make your edits, and then save your changes.

Use the Delete option to remove a pen, but note that deleted pens cannot be recovered.

To delete a pen, select the pen, click Delete [Del], and confirm the deletion.

The Change Multiple option allows you to edit or delete multiple pens at once. Enter the pen numbers you want to edit, using commas to separate the numbers e.g. 1,2,3,4. Click OK.

Respond to the prompts to delete or edit each pen. When you complete the last pen in your list, your changes are saved and the Pens List window closes.

The Pen Inventory function provides a historical log of pen counts, allowing you to monitor occupancy trends in your dairy over time. DairyComp logs pen counts once daily, shortly after midnight, as long as DairyComp is running. If DairyComp is closed, the count is logged the next time the program starts.

To use this function, select Pen Inventory from the Pens List window. The Pen Inventory window opens, showing the number of animals in each pen by date.

Use the buttons at the top of the Pen Inventory window to change what is shown:

Pen capacity is the total number of animals that the pen can hold, and it is usually defined by the number of usable stalls or headlocks in the pen. Use the Pens List window to set up pen capacity:

To move an entire pen of animals into a new pen, enter PEN=(new pen number) FOR PEN=(current pen number) in the command line.

For example, if you want to move all the animals from pen number 1 to pen number 2, enter PEN=1 FOR PEN=2 in the command line.

Expand the sections below to learn more:

These options are found within the Tools drop-down list at the bottom right side of the Pens List window.

The system displays the numbers, names, types, animal counts, and descriptions of all pens in the current table. You can either print the list from the browser or export the information to a file.

To find a specific pen, click the Find option or press the [F9] button on your keyboard. Enter the desired pen into the search bar. The system will automatically locate the pen as you type.