Unit 4 Housing systems of Livestock and Poultry.pptx

Housing systems of livestock
In India, a great diversity exists in the design of dairy animal shelters. Efficiently designed sheds can help
lessen the thermal stress thereby increasing feed intake, milk production and reproductive efficiency.
Under varied climatic, geographical and economical conditions prevailing in India, designing an ideal set of
building for dairy animals throughout the country is impossible. Hence, practically there are two systems
of housing for dairy animals viz.,
i) Loose housing and
ii) Conventional barns

1. Housing of Livestock Dr. P. Ravikanth Reddy MVSc , PhD Guest Faculty KBR College of Agriculture and Horticulture Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University Dr. YSR Horticulture University

2. Importance of housing Protection from adverse weather conditions. Minimizing the energy losses . Protection against loss of appetite and body weight . Protection against theft and predators etc. Opportunity to express species natural behavior patterns. Grouping .

3. In addition, for proper feeding, milking and other functions , the housing is needed. Proper housing is also needed for insemination, treatment, segregation and parturition.

4. Selection of site for farm building For construction of farm buildings selection of site is most important. Before selecting a site the following points are to be considered, Soil Soil must be suitable for strong foundation. Marshy, clay, sandy, or rock soils are not suitable. Loamy and gravelly soils are best suited for building construction.

5. Availability of land There should be vast area to construct all building and should give way to future expansion of farm. At least 2-3 acre land is required for 200 cows accommodation . For 10 cows, 4-acre land is essential for fodder production. Drainage system Proper drainage of rain and subsoil water should be provided to keep healthy environment and to protect the building from dampness.

6. Availability of water Plenty of water is needed for farm operations like washing, fodder cultivation, processing of milk and By products and for drinking. Hence a water source which provides water constantly is essential .

7. Electricity It should be available at the site. It is needed for operating various machines used in the farm and is the light source to the animals. Protection from wind and solar radiation If the farm building in open or exposed area, the wind breaks in the farm of tall quick growing trees should be grown near the building. This will reduce the wind velocity and solar radiation .

8. Protection from noise and other disturbance The farm site should be away from noise producing factory /chemical industry, sewage disposing area. The industrial effluents in the form of gaseous or liquid may pollute surrounding resources. Noise is also found to affect the animal production . Hence the farm should be away from city. Availability of market facility The farm should be away from the city but at the same time it should be nearer to city thereby the products produced from the farm could be marketed easily .

9. Transport facility The farm buildings should be provided with good road and also have the accessibility to reach the market. This will reduce the transport cost and avoid spoilage of products.

10.   Miscellaneous Other facilities like availability of telephone, nearby school for children of farm workers, post office, shopping center and entertainment facilities should be provided.

11. HOUSING SYSTEMS

12. In India, a great diversity exists in the design of dairy animal shelters. Building design and construction materials largely affect the thermal comfort inside dairy shelters. Efficiently designed sheds can help lesser the thermal stress thereby increasing feed intake, milk production and reproductive efficiency .

13. Under varied climatic, geographical and economical conditions prevailing in India, designing an ideal set of building for dairy animals throughout the country is impossible. Hence, practically there are two systems of housing for dairy animals viz. - Loose housing - Conventional barns

14. Loose housing It is a system of housing in which animals are kept loose in an open paddock throughout the day and night except at the time of milking and treatment. In this system, shelter is provided along one side of open paddock under which animals can retire when it is very hot or cold or during rains.

15. Common feed manger and water tank is provided and concentrates are fed at the milking time which is done in a separate milking barn or parlour in which cows are secured at milking time and are milked. The open paddock is enclosed by means of half walls or plain wire fences of convenient height.  

16. Advantages Cost of construction is cheaper . Suitable for tropical region and low rainfall areas Future expansion is possible. The animals will move freely so that it will get sufficient exercise . The animal can be kept clean . Common feeding and watering arrangement is possible. Clean milk production is possible because the animals are milked in a separate milking barn. Oestrus detection is easy. At least 10-15 percent more stock than standard can be accommodated for shorter period.  

17. Disadvantages It is not suitable for temperate Himalayan region and heavy rainfall areas . It requires more floor space . There is competition for feed . Attention of individual animal is not possible. A separate milking barn is needed for milking the animals.  

18. Conventional barns In this system of housing, the animals are confined together on a platform and secured at neck by stanchions or neck chain . The animals are fed as well as milked in the same barn.

19. These barns are completely covered with roofs and the sidewalls are closed with windows or ventilator located at suitable places to get more ventilation and lighting. It is applicable for temperate and heavy rainfall region . The same type of housing can be utilized for tropical region with slight modification.

20. Advantages The animals and men caring for animals are less exposed to harsh environment . The animals can be kept clean . Diseases are better controlled. Individual care can be given. Separate milking barn is not required.

21.   Disadvantages Cost of construction is more. Future expansion is difficult . Not suitable for hot and humid climatic conditions.

22. Single row system In single row system, 12-16 numbers of animals can be kept. Double row system If it is greater than 16 , then double row system is preferable. In double row system up to 50 animals can be maintained in a single shed. The distance between two sheds should be greater than 30 feet or it should be twice the height of the building .

23. In double row system two methods available. They are Tail to tail or face–out method Head to head or face–in method

24. Tail to tail system  Advantages Cleaning and milking of animals easy. Supervision of milking also easy. Less chance for transmission of diseases from animal to animal. Animals can get more fresh air from outside.

25. Head to head system Advantages Getting animals into the shed is easy. Feeding of animals also easy. Disinfection of gutter will be more due to the direct fall of sunrays over the gutter. Animals are better exhibited to visitors Disadvantages Milking supervision is difficult. Possibilities of transmission of disease are more.

26. Floor space requirement (m2)

27. Recommended floor space requirement for different age group of calves

28. Feeding and watering space requirement

29. Dimensions of feed manger