Complements on everything.  Great to see youth taking over.  The experiences learned will be with you a long time. Weaning and Preconditioning is an important phase of beef industry.  500 head a year is the most we have ever put threw our system.  About this system of pens does it serve other purposes threw out the year?  While the small groups have advantages, see it being really labor intensive.  Use of stress tubs for mineral and salt seem to be offering some help. (Difficult/Impossible to Measure)   For years never gave thought to the weaners not having any mineral in the pens at a very critical stage of life.  Tubs are indestructible and maintenance free, little easier as we have 1 tub for 40 or more calves in a pen.  Operation like this makes using and  understanding feeder cattle options (puts) look good.  Want everyone to be around, when this train stops. Good Luck/Thanks for Sharing.