7_Construction of livestock houses (sheds).pptx

Construction of livestock houses

1. Construction of livestock houses (sheds) Dr. A.K.S. Tomar Pr. Scientist (AG&B) Livestock Production and Management Section Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar (UP), INDIA. 1 7_C&BPM

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3. Old Cattle Shed Disadvantages No place for food and water Unhygienic Not durable Un protective Wastage of urine and manure 3 7_C&BPM

4. A well designed Cattle shed Continuous water supply Feed Trough Place to lie down Separation of cows Drainage line etc. 4 7_C&BPM

5. Selection of a Site for a Cow shed Close to house Ventilated Adequate space- future expansion/bio gas unit etc. adequate sunlight Elevated ground ? 5 7_C&BPM

6. Check list for well managed cattle house Clean fresh continuous water supply Adequate Unspoiled food in troughs Dry, non slippery floor Dung and urine directed to covered dung pit or biogas unit Well thatched roof No smell Healthy looking animals etc. 6 7_C&BPM

7. 7_C&BPM 7 Cross Section of an animal house

8. Inner view of the cattle barn 7_C&BPM 8

9. Side Elevation 9 7_C&BPM

10. Standing (Stall) The floor space provided within a shed for an individual animal to stand or lie. Each animal should have a standing place of 2 x 1.5 m. 7_C&BPM 10

11. Floor The inside floor of the barn should be Should be even, Made up of some impervious material which can be easily kept clean and dry, Non-slippery, Pucca / hard flooring etc. Types of flooring Paving with bricks can also serve the purpose, Grooved cement concrete floor is still better. Slope of the surface of the cowshed should be Laid with a gradient of 1" to 40’ from manger to excreta channel, Slightly slopped (3cm/mt). 7_C&BPM 11

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13. Walls The inside of the walls should have a smooth hard finish of cement, which will not allow any lodgement of dust and moisture, Comers should be round, For plains, dwarf walls about 4 to 5 feet in height and roofs supported by masonry work or iron pillars will be best or more suitable, The open space in between supporting pillars will serve for light and air circulation. 7_C&BPM 13

14. Inner view of the cattle barn 7_C&BPM 14

15. Roof Material : The roof can be made of Thatch, Asbestos, Tin sheets/GI Clay tiles etc. Height of roof : The roof should be 3 meters height on sides, 4 meters in the centre. will be sufficient to give the necessary air space to the cows. 7_C&BPM 15

16. Iron sheets with Aluminium painted tops to reflect sunrays and bottoms provided with wooden insulated ceilings An adult cow requires at least about 800 cubic feet of air space under tropical conditions . 7_C&BPM 16

17. 7_C&BPM 17 Clay Tile Roofing

18. Manger Proper manger space should be provided to each animal, Water troughs should be centrally located , The corners and inside angles in mangers, troughs, drains, walls etc. should be rounded for better cleaning, Cement concrete continuous manger with removable partitions is the best from the point of view of durability and cleanliness. 7_C&BPM 18

19. Low front mangers are more comfortable for cattle but high front mangers prevent feed wastage. 7_C&BPM 19

20. Doors The doors of A single range cowshed should be 5’ wide with a height of 7', and For double row shed the width should not be less than 8’ to 9'. All doors of the barn should lie flat against the external wall when fully open. 7_C&BPM 20

21. Alleys The central walk should have a width of 5'-6' exclusive of gutters when cows face out, and 4'-5' when they face in. 7_C&BPM 21

22. The feed alley, in case of a face out system should be 4 ' wide, and The central walk should show a slope of 1" from the centre towards the two gutters (running parallel to each other) 7_C&BPM 22

23. Manure gutter The manure gutter should be Wide enough to hold all dung without getting blocked, and Be easy to clean etc. The gutter should have a gradient of 1" for every 10' length. This will permit a free flow of liquid excreta. 7_C&BPM 23

24. Provide 15-20” broad drain at the rear of standing space. The drain should lead to a manure collecting pit or Gobar Gas Plant inlet pit . Drains 7_C&BPM 24

25. Sun Shade, Shaded Area & Floor Space Sun shade or shade structure allowing 2.5 to 3 m/per animal will give the minimum desirable protection for cattle, whether it be for one animal belonging to a small holder or many animals in a commercial herd. The roof should be a minimum of 3 m high to allow air movement, If financially feasible, all the area that will be shaded some time during the day should be paved with good quality concrete. The size of this paved area depends on the orientation of the shade structure, If the longitudinal axis is east and west, pan of the floor under the roof will be in shade all day, Extending the floor approximately 1/3 rd its length on the east and on the west will provide paved surface under shaded area at all times. Providing adequate sufficient floor space in animal houses during pregnancy/lactation. 25 7_C&BPM

26. In tail to tail system, cows and buffaloes can always get more fresh air from outside as compared to head to head system. Loose housing system should be adopted as animals are more comfortable as they can move freely, however, it is difficult to control/protect the animals from harsh weather conditions under this system. The shed should be oriented in E-W direction so that direct sun light will not fall inside. If the longitudinal axis is N-S, the paved area must be 3 times the roof area i.e. 1/3 rd to E, 1/3 rd to W and l/3 rd underneath. Obviously, this means an increase in the cost of paving. 26 7_C&BPM

27. Shade patterns at various times and orientations (shadows cast at various times and dates at latitude 10 o S December 21 st March & September June 21 st 27 7_C&BPM

28. December 21 : In the Northern Hemisphere, December 21st is usually the shortest day of the year and is sometimes regarded as the first day of winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, December 21st is usually the longest day of the year and occurs during the southern summer . June 21 : This day usually marks the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere and the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere, which is the day of the year with the most hours of daylight in the northern hemisphere and the fewest hours of daylight in the southern hemisphere. 28 7_C&BPM

29. A gable (triangular) roof shade The gable roof is more wind resistant than a single pitch roof and allows for a centre vent , If needed, a woven mat of local materials can be installed between the rafters (central girder)and the corrugated iron roof to reduce radiation from the steel and lower temperatures just under the roof by 10°C or more. 7_C&BPM 29

30. A Gable Roof Shade ( Corrugated steel sheet) 7_C&BPM 30

31. Deciding orientation of building ??? Following factors need be considered: With the east-west orientation, the feed and water troughs can be under the shade which will allow the cows to eat and drink in shade at any time of the day, The shaded area, however, should be increased to 3 to 4m² per cow, By locating the feed and water in the shade, feed consumption will be encouraged, but also more manure will be dropped in the shaded area which in turn will lead to dirty cows, With the N-S orientation, the sun will strike every part of the floor area under and on either side of the roof at some time during the day, this will help to keep the floored area dry. A shaded area of 2.5 to 3m²/cow is adequate if feed and water troughs are placed away from the shaded area . If it is felt that paving is too costly, the N-S orientation is the best choice in order to keep the area as dry as possible. In regions where temperatures average 30°C or more for up to five hours per day during some period of the year, the E-W orientation is most beneficial. 7_C&BPM 31

32. Yards If space is severely limited and only 4 to 5m² per cow is available, then concrete paving is highly desirable. If up to 40 to 60 m² per cow is available, then unpaved yards should be quite satisfactory as long as the feed and shade areas are paved and the yard is graded for good drainage . If the small holder is unable to afford an improved structure such as a shade or a paved area for feeding, then conditions can be prevented from becoming intolerable by building mounds of earth in the yard with drainage ditches between them, From 20 to 30 m² per cow will keep the animals out of the worst of the mud. 7_C&BPM 32

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34. The soil in the mounds can be stabilized by working chopped straw or straw and manure into the surface. A number of trees in the yard will provide sufficient shade. 7_C&BPM 34

35. Isolation Boxes/Pens Animals suffering from infectious disease must be segregated soon from the rest of the herd. Loose boxes of about 16-20 m 2 are very suitable for this purpose. They should be situated at some distance from the other barns. Every isolation box should be self contained and should have separate connection to the drainage disposal system . 7_C&BPM 35

36. Pregnant Animal Shed/Paddock Transfer to pregnant animal shed/down calvers’ pens - 1-2 weeks prior to expected date of calving Pens should be Clean - Floor of shed should be cleaned regularly with high pressure water Dry and Well ventilated, airy and sufficient sun shine With provision of dry comfortable bedding Should be free from flies and insects etc. On 24 hour basis , animal attendants should be employed in Down Calvers’ sheds/pens. Animal Attendant should be free from infectious diseases Cows/ buffalo should be handled properly without frightening them . 36 7_C&BPM

37. Calving Boxes/Down calvers Pens Allowing cows to calve in the milking cowshed is highly undesirable and objectionable, It leads to non-sanitary conditions which leads to spoiled milk production and spread of disease like contagious abortion/Brucellosis etc . Special accommodation in the form of loose-boxes enclosed from all sides with a door should be furnished to all parturient cows. It should have ample soft bedding , It should be provided with sufficient ventilation through windows and ridge vent. 7_C&BPM 37

38. Special accommodation in the form of loose-boxes enclosed from all sides with a door should be furnished to all parturient cows. It should have ample soft bedding , It should be provided with sufficient ventilation through windows and ridge vent. 7_C&BPM 38

39. Calf Pens Individual housing is forbidden after the age of 8 weeks , excepted for health reasons, The calf pen should ne 1 m x 1 m , Partitions between cages must be open to permit sight and contacts between animals for groups of animals, the free area per animal must be 1.5 m 2 with a live weigh less than 150 kg, 1.7 m 2 with a live weigh above 150 kg but less than 220 kg and 1.8 m 2 with a live weigh above 220 kg, Keeping the animals permanently in the dark is forbidden - natural or artificial lighting must be provided, Calves must be fed atleast twice a day , Calves must receive adequate fibre and enough iron in their diet , Calves older than 2 weeks must have permanent access to fresh water . 7_C&BPM 39

40. Calf mortality is often high in tropical countries, but proper management and suitable housing that protects the calf from climatic stress, infections and parasites can reduce this, Individual pens for calves from birth to 2/3 months of age are often built, The pen must be built in a way so that each animal can stretch, rest, stand up and groom without any difficulties, Soft litter/bedding must be provided for animals younger than 2 weeks, Calves are not tied except in groups only for one hour during the milk distribution, If artificial ventilation is used, an alarm system will have to be installed, Three sides of the pens should be tight to prevent contact with other calves, 7_C&BPM 40

41. The front of the pen should be made so that the calf can be fed milk, concentrates and water easily from buckets or a trough fixed to the outside of the pen and so that the calf can be moved out of the pen without lifting, The milk or milk substitute fed to the calf will not provide it with enough liquid and therefore it should be given fresh, clean water daily or preferably have continuous access to water in a drinking nipple. All calves, but especially those which are weaned early, should have access to good quality forage as soon as possible to stimulate rumen development, Forage can be supplied in a rack placed above the side wall of the pen, This construction with a feed alley will be rather expensive but can be cheaper if calves are fed from outside, Calf pens are recommended where the cows are kept in a semi-zero grazing or zero grazing system, 7_C&BPM 41

42. Heifer Sheds Heifers of similar age/weight should be housed in different sheds to avoid local competition. 7_C&BPM 42

43. Dry cows and buffalo shed Separate housing of open dry, pregnant dry, advance pregnant, down calvers should be ensured. 7_C&BPM 43

44. BULL Shed All breeding bulls should be housed in individual Bull Pens, These Bull Pens should be constructed based on specified open and covered shed space, The covered and open shed space requirement per bull should be at least 12 m 2 and 120 m 2, respectively. As a matter of thumb rule open space requirement should be double of closed shed space requirement. 7_C&BPM 44

45. Bull Pens A bull pen should have a shaded resting area of 12-15 m² and a large exercise area of 20 to 30 m², The walls of the pen must be strong. Eight horizontal rails of minimum 100 mm round timber or 50 mm galvanised steel tubes to a total height of 1.5 m and fixed to 200 mm timber posts not more than 2 m apart will be sufficient, The gate must be designed so that the bull cannot lift it off its hinges and there should be at least two exits where the herdsman can escape, A service stall where the cow can be tethered prior to and during service is usually provided close to the bull pen, The stall can have ramps at the sides to support the bull's front feet. 7_C&BPM 45

46. Bull Pens should be appropriately spaced and should have proper aeration to promote good health 7_C&BPM 46

47. Bulls are furious in nature & hence frequent replacement of attendants should be avoided 7_C&BPM 47

48. Bull Pens should be constructed near the breedable female shed (s ), as it may induce early onset of puberty in heifers and heat symptoms in adult cows/buffaloes, Bulls should be taken for regular exercise (Bull Exerciser) to promote sound health and good reproductive status. 7_C&BPM 48

49. Each Bull Pen should be provided with feeding and watering mangers with specified dimensions 7_C&BPM 49

50. There should be provision for 24 hour clean drinking water supply to each shed 7_C&BPM 50

51. Feeding managers should be constructed in all sheds – as per specification and strength of animals in the sheds 7_C&BPM 51

52. Regular cleaning and washing of sheds/paddocks/pens 7_C&BPM 52

53. Provision for weigh bridge 53 7_C&BPM

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62. Fixtures of livestock houses Electric fittings e.g. Tube lights, fans, exhaust fans , coolers etc. Water points: hydrants, automatic waters etc. Doors, windows, ventilators, panels etc. Artificial floorings Plastic nets, Iron grills, nets, GI pipes, Asbestos sheets, Wooden pillars, panels PVC panels Fire extinguishers Solar panels etc. 62 7_C&BPM

63. Fixtures of livestock houses Electric fittings eg . Tube lights, fans, exhaust fans , coolers etc. Water points: hydrants, automatic waters etc. Doors, windows, ventilators, panels etc. Artificial floorings Pastic nets, Iron grills, nets, GI pipes, Asbestos sheets, Wooden pillers , panels PVC panels Fire extinguishers Solar panels etc. 63 7_C&BPM

64. Material required for 3 cattle unit Item Quantity Cement 7 bags Sand ½ cube Metal ½ cube Asbestos sheets – 10 feet 12 Concrete posts 14 feet 2 10 feet 6 Wooden Rafters/ purlin (as required) Pipes 2-3 lengths 64 7_C&BPM Cost of Livestock Houses: Approximately 10% of total costs

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