Housing Systems for Dairy Animals

Animal Housing is required to protect the animals from inclement weather, provide clean,
comfortable stay for good health of animals and for efficient management.

Systems of Housing

Different housing system available are loose housing, conventional barn system and free range
system. Type of housing should be chosen depending upon the geographical and local conditions
with likes and dislikes of the farmer keeping economics in mind. Loose housing system is more
suitable to Indian conditions.

1. Conventional barns or Stanchion Barns

Animals are confined together on a platform, secured at neck by stanchion. These are also
called as stanchion barn. The cows are fed as well as milked in this barn. The barn is completely
roofed and the wall also complete windows or ventilators located at suitable places. Animals up
to ten can be arranged in a single row, while larger herds require a double row system.
Depending on the individual's preference, either a tail-to-tail or a head-to-head arrangement
may be used in double row cattle housing.

2. Advantages
* Animals are less exposed to harsh weather conditions.
* The animals can be kept cleaner and diseases can controlled better in barns.
* No need to have a separate milking parlour
3. Disadvantages
* The construction cost of shed is more when compared to loose housing system.
* Conventional barn system is not suitable to hot and humid climates
* Not possible for future expansion of shed

Tail to tail system of arrangement of animals

In conventional barns, animals up to ten can be arranged in a single row, while larger herds require a
double row system. Depending on the individual's preference, either a tail-to-tail or a head-to-head
arrangement may be used in double row cattle housing.

In tail-to-tail system of housing, the animals are arranged in a head out manner with a common
passage between the two rows.

The advantages of tail-to-tail system are

* Lesser possibility of spread of diseases from animal to animal.

* Cows can always get fresh air from outside.

* Cleaning of the animals and washing/disposal of dung of the animal is easy for animals on both
sides.

* Collection of milk is easier

* Detection of heat and Artificial insemination (AI) is more convenient

* One animal cannot disturb the other

Head-to-Head or Face to Face System of Arrangement of Animals

In conventional barns, animals up to ten can be arranged in a single row, while larger herds require a
double row system. Depending on the individual's preference, either a tail-to-tail or a head-to-head
arrangement may be used in double row cattle housing.

In the Head-to-head system, the animals are arranged in a head-to-head manner with a common
feeding passage.

Advantages of face-to-face system

* The cows feel easier to get into their stalls.

* It is better for narrow barns.

* The display to visitors is better

* Feeding of the animal is easier.

* The gutters are dried sooner in Head to head system.

* Difficulty in supervision of milkers / Gowala

2. Loose housing system

In loose housing, animals are kept loose throughout the day and night except during
milking and treatment. A common feed manger and water tank are provided, and dairy
animals are fed concentrates during milking. At milking time, cows are secured in a separate
milking barn. An open paddock is enclosed by half walls or plain wire fences of a convenient
height.

Advantages

* The loose houses are cheaper to construct, easier to expand and flexible in utility.
* Feeding and management of stock is easier because of common feeding and watering
arrangement.
* Animals are more comfortable as they move about freely.
* At least 10 to 15% more stock than the standard can be accommodated for shorter
periods.
* Detection of heat in animals is easier.
* Animals also get sufficient exercise, which is extremely important for better health
production.

Disadvantages
* More floor space is required when compared to conventional barn system
* Competition for feed and fodder among animals
* Individual animal attention is not possible
* Provision for a separate milking barn is needed
* Not suitable in heavy rainfall and temperate areas

3. Free-range system
In this method, animals are let loose on a large estate. Free ranges system or
ranches indicate a type of stock management rather than a type of housing. In general, the
area is a natural or cultivated pastureland with convenient watering points and shelters.
Farming of this type is ideal for animals that are not handled daily, such as beef cattle. Cattle
and sheep ranches are common in Australia and the southern parts of America. In India,
there is scope for raising sheep in arid areas and hilly regions under ranch systems.

Selection of site for dairy

farm

Site selection criteria to start a

dairy farm includes
Soil type Foundation soil of farm should be sandy loam. This type of soil keep the farm clean and
dry. This soil prevent the formation of crack and fissure near the foundation

Topography A dairy building should be at a higher elevation than the surrounding ground to offer a
good slope for rainfall and drainage for the wastes of the dairy to avoid stagnation within.

Drainage The soil should be porous and slope gentle so that drainage is efficient and farm premises
remains dry.

Sunlight & wind Dairy building should have maximum exposure to the sun and it should be
protected from prevailing strong wind currents whether hot or cold.

Accessibility Easy accessibility to the buildings is always desirable. Therefore, the building of dairy
farm should be located near all-weathered road

Water supply There should be abundant supply of fresh, clean and soft water.

Electricity There should be regular supply of electricity.

Market Dairy buildings should only be in those areas from where the owner can sell his products
profitably and regularly. He should be in a position to satisfy the needs of the farm within no time
and at a reasonable price.

Surrounding The surrounding environment of dairy farm should be clean and safe to prevent theft
and attacking from wild animal. Otherwise, the farmer may fall in economic losses. Labour Honest,
economic and regular supply of labour is available.

Others Availability of Bank, School-college, post office, shopping malls etc. So that the farmers and
all employees can easy banking, to send their children in school & College, contact with public, easily
can buy their food, cloth and others necessary products

Weaning of calf, castration, dehorning

1. Weaning The calf is taken away from its mother either just after birth or after 2-3 days of birth.
Some calf raisers prefer to allow the calf to be with its mother till the colostrum period. After
separation feeding and the management of the calf will be in the hands of dairymen.

Advantages of weaning

* If calf accidentally dies, there is no difficulty in regular milking of cow.

* Milking without calf is more hygienic and sanitary.

* The calf can be culled out at any early age

* Total milk yield increases

* The actual milk yield of the cow can be recorded

* The calf can be saved from some diseases like diarrhea, scours etc.,

* The calves can be fed economically and just as much as may be necessary for them

Disadvantages of weaning
* Weaning is a problematic in Bos indicus and buffaloes due to strong maternal instinct. 0 day
weaning can cause reduced milk yield in such animals, and cause early drying and temperamental
problems.

2. Castration
Castration is the unsexing of the male or female by removal of both testicles and ovaries
respectively. The main objectives of the castration are to prevent reproduction, to increase faster
gains, to produce more desirable type of meat and to make the animal docile and easier to handle.

Male castration can be done in one of three ways:

Knife castration: By making an operation in the scrotum where the vas deference are disconnected
from the scrotum. Thus the spermatozoa will not be able to flow out of the penis.

Elastrator rings: A rubber ring, the elastrator ring, is applied around the neck of the scrotal sac using
the special instrument designed for this purpose. After a while the testicles and that part of the
scrotal sack distal to the elastrator ring degenerates and the ring drops down.

Burdizzo’s Castator: The burdizzo is an instrument used to cut off the blood supply to the testicles,
causing cell death of the testicular tissues resulting in degeneration of the testicles. The best time to
apply the burdizzo is as soon as the spermatic cords can be felt, which is three to four weeks after
birth.

Dehorning
This is the process by which the horns of an animal are removed after birth. Dehorning of yearling
and older animal painful and results in considerable bleeding. Therefore, dehorn the calf before it is
10 days old.

Dehorning can be done by treating the tender horn roots with a chemical, mechanical or electrical
dehorner.

i. Chemical: Caustic soda are the chemicals used in dehorning process. In order to expose
the base of the horn button clip the hair around it. Apply the petroleum jelly near the
base of the horn button. By using caustic soda stick, rub it over horn button several
times in a circular motion until the button softens and bleed slightly.
ii. Mechanical: Dehorning in older cattle’s is done by using designed clippers or saw or
rubber bands.
a. Clippers: In this method, a considerable amount of bleeding may follow operation. To
prevent bleeding, the main horn artery should be tied off with a cotton or silk thread.
b. Rubber bands: This method advantageous over clipper method, as there is no open
wound results in operation. This process is accomplished by making a groove around the
base of the horn and then using the elastrator to slip a rubber band over the horn and
into the groove. The rubber band shuts off the circulation and the horn gradually comes
off.

iii. Electrical:

The rod is heated with electricity at about 10000F. Applying the electrical dehorner to the horn
button for 10 seconds is sufficient to destroy the horn cells.
Advantages of dehorning Dehorned animal needs less space in the shed Horned animals are
dangerous to the operators. Dehorned animals can be handled more easily Animals with horns can
defend themselves.

Disadvantages of dehorning Animals with horns has a style Horns got an identification mark for some
breeds like kangayam, Kankrej etc.,

Deworming and Vaccination programme

i. Deworming
* Deworming against the infestations of endoparasite should be undertaken
biannually. ie., at the onset of monsoons and again after the end of monsoon.
* Deworming should be started from the first week of calf.
* Deworming should be done every month for first 6 months, thereafter once
in three months.
* The deworming drugs and dose should be consulted with qualified veterinary
doctor.
* Overdose and under dose of deworming drugs should be prevented to check
the side effects.
1. Ascariasis: Calves of about 6 weeks of age should be dosed with piperzine
salts (1 g/4kg Body weight). Vermicides or Vermax may be used as per the
veterinarian direction.
2. Gastroenteritis: Cattle above 3 months of age should be dosed with
Thiabendazole (100 mg / kg wt) or phenothiazine (10 mg/ 50 kg wt)
3. Liver flukes/ Amphistomes: Use of hexachloroethane (10 gm/ 50 kg wt) is
given in 2 split doses spaced at 24 hours.

ii. Vaccination programme

* Vaccination is a simple, safe, and successful method of protecting animals
against potentially fatal diseases before they come into contact with them.
* It should be started from the first four months of calf life.
* Vaccination should be performed by qualified veterinary doctor and should
be done at proper season for a particular vaccine.
* While purchasing vaccine, expiry date should be checked and should keep
the vaccine in ice cubes up to vaccination.
Major diseases against which vaccination (schedule) should be done for dairy
animals.
Sr. No Name of Disease, Causative organism, Vaccine name, Age at first dose
Booster dose Subsequent dose
1 Rinderpest Virus Rinderpest Cattle 6-8 months - Annually (disease more
prevalent)
2 Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Virus Polyvalent tissue culture vaccine Below
one month of age (20 ml) Within next 21 days After 5-6 months age annual
vaccination (40 ml)
3 Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS) Bacterial HS oil adjuvant vaccine 6-8 months
- Annually in endemic areas.
4 Anthrax Bacterial Anthrox spore vaccine 6-8 months - Annual vaccination
5 Black Quarter (BQ) Bacterial BQ Polyvalent vaccine 3 weeks after HS vaccine
(5 ml) - Annually in endemic areas.

6 Brucellosis Bacterial Brucella strain 19 living vaccine 6-9 months of age

(Only female calves) (5 ml) - Once in a lifetime

DAIRY ANIMAL CARE AND MANAGEMENTS

1. CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF MILK PRODUCING ANIMAL
The routine of management practices like feeding and
milking and caring should be followed same time each day,
being animals are more sensitive habitual for timing.
1.Watering: The adequate clean & fresh water should be
provided. An adult dry cow drinks 30-32 litres of water per
day besides it requires 4 litres of water for every litre of milk
production. Also, the water consumption increases when air
temperature rises.
Feeding: Provide green succulent forage together with
leguminous hay or straw to the extent of animal can
consume, so that all its maintenance requirements are met
with through forage only.
Regular feeding for milk production: Extra concentrate at the
rate of 1 kg for every 2 to 2.5 liters of milk should be
provided. Salt and mineral supplements should be given to
maintain the lactation. Keep up regularity of feeding.
Concentrate mix is fed before or during milking, when as
roughages after milking. This practice will avoid dust in the
shed.
2. Housing: Good housing is required for protecting animals
from heat, rains and winds. Also, proper drainage, ventilation
and exposure to sunlight must be there. These factors must
be available in any type of housing chosen.
3. Cleaning & grooming: Cows should be kept clean both for
clean milk production and health of animals, it requires daily
brushing which removes, dirt and loose hair. The regular
grooming helps to keep skin clean, helps for blood
circulation.
4. Disease control: The prevention of disease & parasite
infestation of the herd is most important. To achieve this,
keep the sanitation by keeping the housing & other places
clean and regularly disinfected. Many diseases are also
prevented by timely vaccination.
5. Exercise: The cows should be provided free movement to
give the needed exercise. Never frighten or excite the
animals. Always treat them gently and with kindness.
6. Milking: The udder and teats should be washed with warm
water mixed with KMnO4 solution and wiped to dry before
milking solution. The milking should be conducted cleanly,
gently, quietly, quickly and completely by suitable method of
milking. Milking thrice is better than twice since 10 - 15 %
more milk can be produced.
7. Cows should be trained to let down milk without calf
suckling. This will help to wean the calves early.
8. Breeding: Cow should be bred at 60 days after date of
parturition, which helps good reproductive health of cow.
9. Dry period: Provide at least 60 - 90 days dry period
between calvings. If the dry period is not sufficient, the milk
yield is subsequent lactation will be reduced.
10. Record: Every animal should be numbered and
particulars pertaining to milk, fat%, feed taken, breeding,
drying and calving dates should be recorded.
2. CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF DRY AND PREGNANT ANIMAL
The early singe or latter 1/3 period of the gestation period is
important period in view of care and management.
1. Feeding: It is necessary to provide adequate feeding to
meet nutritional requirements of both mother and foetus.
The challenge feeding (extra feeding) should be given from
5th month of pregnancy @ 1.25 – 1.75 kg of concentrate
mixture and give 3.4 – 4.5 kg from 8th month onwards, over
and above maintenance ration to Zebu and crossbred
animals.
2. Provide adequate clean water and protection from
thermal stress.
3. Housing:
i. Do not allow them to mix with other animals that have
aborted or that are suffering from or carriers of diseases like
brucellosis.
ii. Avoid slippery conditions, which causes the animal to fall
receiving fractures, dislocation etc.
iii. Pregnant animal approaching parturition should be
isolated and kept in calving pen, which should be clean, well
ventilated, bedded and disinfected. This helps to take special
care regarding feeding management, to avoid crowding,
mounting by other animals, to avoid infection from oilier
animals.
4. Allow moderate exercise, which helps in calving normally.
Do not tire them by making long distances especially on
uneven surfaces. Do not allow them to fight with other
animals and take care that dogs and other animals do not
chase them.
5. Drying of Cow: The pregnant cow should be dried above
60 days before expected dale of calving. To conserve the
nutrients that are required for developing fetus & increased
milk yield.
6. Take care of the animal before calving from milk fever.
Give calcium supplement.
7. Remove the milk partially if, or Sometimes the udder will
be swollen just before calving.
8. Care at expected Date:
i. Symptoms of delivery may be observed i.e. swelling of
external genetalia, swelling of udder; usually majority of
animals will deliver without any help. If there is any difficulty,
provide veterinary help.
ii. To know expected date of calving is a must to take care at
time of parturition. Careful watch should be kept close to
expected date of parturition. Do not interfere the normal act
of calving.
9. Placenta will normally leave the cow within 2-4 hours after
calving. It not take the help of a veterinarian.
10. Take care, of the animal, if at all any abortion.
 3. Care and management of heifer
Heifers can be raised in an outdoor or indoor system.
1. Feedings: They should be provided with good quality of hay or
roughages & concentrates or grains. The feed must be rich in nutrients
like proteins, energy, minerals, and vitamins.
2. Housing: The heifers from 6 months onwards should be housed
separately from suckling calves and no male calves be kept together
beyond 6 months.
3. Exercise: In this system, the care is to be taken that they should get
sufficient exercise, which removes stiffness in limbs, -keep thrifty
growing & maintain normal appetite.
4. Culling of heifers: Those having anatomical defects, bad deposition,
poor growth & late maturity should be culled.
5. Control of parasites:
* De-worming of heifers: Worms interfere with absorption of food
nutrients ultimately interfere with host’s growth, therefore heifers be
de-wormed after every 4-6 months.
* Control of Ectoparasites: Ectoparasites like ticks, lice etc. should be
treated to control such parasites by dipping or spraying with 0.5% BHC
or other insecticides like 1% Malathion spray is effective. The regular
grooming is also helpful.
6. Vaccination of heifers: At 6 months of age, heifer should be
vaccinated for & Mouth disease, T.B. & Rinderpest diseases. While
older heifer should be vaccinated for Anthrax, Black quarter.
7. Age of Breeding: Many factors affect the age of breeding i.e. Breed,
system of feeding, and quality of nutrition. Under average, manage
mental conditions of feeding & care, the heifers attaining weight of
200 kg (minimum) may be considered of age at first breeding.
8. Steaming up: A pregnant heifer few days prior to calving must be
fed liberally is called steaming up. It is done for the reasons that, heifer
continues to grow, she has to bear an unborn viable calf, and she must
maintain her good health during lactation period. For steaming up
heifers must be given 1.5 kg concentrate mixture.
9. “Breaking-in” heifers:
* Care in training heifers: Heifer should be handled with kindness.
They should be trained to load with halter from an early age, which
helps to make docile cow.
* Housing pregnant heifer with milch herd: This practice to heifers
should start about a month prior to Calving to accustom them their
place in barn.
 4 Care and management of calves
1. Make sure that all mucus is removed from the nose and mouth. If
the calf does not start to breathe, artificial respiration should be used
by alternately compressing and relaxing the chest wall with the hands
after laying the calf on its side.
2. Naval cord should be cut with sterilized scissors leaving “form the
body and the entire naval cord be disinfected by dipping it into a cup
containing tincture of iodine.
3. Normally, the calf will be on its feet and ready for suckling the dam
within an hour. Some assistance in this stage is useful. Clean the udder
before the calf starts sucking.
4. Feed the calf with first milk i.e. colostrum at least for 48 hours. The
colostrum’s should be fed within half an hour after birth. Delay in its
feeding causes the calf to lose the ability to absorb antibodies across
its inertial walls. The antibodies present in colostrum protect the calf
against diseases and it has a laxative effect the rate of feeding should
be about 10% of the calf s weight per day up to a maximum of 5-6
liters per day.
5. The colostrum is the first secretion of cow after calving. It is thick
and yellow in color. It contains 4 to 5 times more protein and 10 to 15
times more vitamin-A than normal milk. Protein of colostrum’s
contains much higher proportion of globulins. The globulins are to be
the source of antibody presumed developing the defense mechanism
in the calf for many infections. Colostrum is also rich in minerals like
Cu, Fe, Mg and Mn. It also contains several other vitamins like
Riboflavin, Cholin, Thiamine, Pantothenic acid etc., which are for
growth of calf.
6. The calf is best maintained in an individual pen or stall for the first
few weeks. After about eight weeks,it may be handled with a group.
7. Take body weight of the calf and identify the calf by tattooing.
8. At the age of 15 days 32-40 cc of H.S. serum should be inoculated.
9. Dehorn the calf preferably within 15 days after birth.
10. Teats of the udders of heifers in excess of four should be removed.
11. At the age of 3 months the calf should be vaccinated against
Anthrax and fifteen days there after it should be vaccinated against
B.Q

v. Care and management of bulls and bullocks

a. Care of Breeding Bull
The care and proper management of breeding bull is
important for success of breeding programme.
1. Selection: The breeding bulls should be selected from
good pedigree
2. Feeding: The properly balanced ration should be given
which contains adequate energy, protein, minerals &
vitamins. Feed to male calf after discontinuation of milk, it
should be provided with good quality, legume hay and 2 to
2.5 kg of concentrate having 12-15% DCP.Feeding to mature
bull: Should be fed adequately to keep it on good flesh but
not over fat, sufficient amount of green feed, 1 kg of good
quality hay (DM) and 1.5 kg of concentrates per 100 kg of
body weight per day will keep in good breeding condition.
3. The breeding calf if provided with good feeding practices it
will develop in a vigorous nature mature bull & reach sexual
maturity of young age.
4. Bull Shed: The bull should be housed in a separate bullpen
measuring 15′ X 10′ dimension. The stall should open into
strongly fenced paddock into which the bull has free access &
movement. The pen should have stanchion to which the bull
can be tied during cleaning time. The feeding & watering
arrangement should be made in the pen and paddock.
5. Exercise: It is needed to keep normal appetite, retain
breeding power and good health. Males that received plenty
of exercise produce larger ejaculation containing more
sperms of higher activity.
6. Training: Bull should be trained to be lead with bull staff at
an early age population is a pressure on limited sources, so
timely culling of the unwanted animals is desired.
b. Care and management of bullock
1. Bullocks are normally used for agricultural operations and
or transport purpose.
2. Nose rings: Some bullocks are ferocious and so control
them properly with nose rope or nose rings.
3. Metal Shoes: The hooves of the bullocks should be
provided with metal shoes to protect the hooves from
wear and tear.
4. Working Hours: The working hours for bullocks are
recommended as follows:
a) Normal Work - 6 hours of carting or 4 hours of ploughing.
b) Heavy Work - 8 hours of carting or 6 hours of ploughing.
5. Feed: Sufficient roughages and 1-2 kgs of concentrates
may be provided for feeding of bullocks during break period
in works, the animal may be left for free grazing.
6. Housing: The bullocks are housed in separate sheds with
sufficient space and protection from hot and cool conditions.
7. Water: Free access to drinking water is essential.
8.Grooming: Regular grooming of animals should be
practiced.