Large Ruminant Housing System

Summary

This video explores the different types of housing units used for large ruminants, such as cows, water buffaloes, and buffaloes, based on farm size and type of operation. It covers various housing systems from simple, cost-effective setups for small backyard farms to more advanced, commercial systems for beef and dairy cattle. Key aspects of animal comfort, health, and production are emphasized, including ventilation, space requirements, and feeding systems. The video also discusses milking parlors, their different designs, and the importance of managing housing units effectively to ensure optimal production and animal welfare.

Takeaways

• 😀 Housing for large ruminants depends on the size and type of the farming operation (backyard, semi-commercial, or commercial).
• 😀 For beef cattle, housing varies depending on whether it is a cow-calf or feedlot operation.
• 😀 Dairy cattle and water buffalo require additional facilities, like milking parlors, especially in commercial dairy farms.
• 😀 Proper ventilation is essential for housing, and should allow the free flow of air to ensure animal health and comfort.
• 😀 Backyard farming housing is simple and inexpensive, while housing in commercial farms is a significant expense.
• 😀 Different types of housing are used for small-scale cow-calf, feedlot, and buffalo operations, including tethered and individual stalls.
• 😀 Semi-intensive systems allow animals to graze in pasture for part of the day, while intensive systems use cut-and-carry feeding methods.
• 😀 In commercial farms, calves are housed in individual pens with good ventilation, ease of cleaning, and space for movement.
• 😀 Dairy cattle may be housed in Thai stalls, freestalls, or bedded pack barns, depending on the size of the herd and available capital.
• 😀 Milking parlors come in different designs, including parallel, tandem, herringbone, and rotary, each offering different advantages for milking efficiency.

Q & A

How does the size of the farm affect the housing requirements for large ruminants?

The size of the farm greatly influences the type of housing used. Smaller farms (backyard operations) typically use simple, inexpensive shelters made from native materials, while commercial farms require more complex, durable housing to accommodate larger herds and specialized needs like milking parlors.

What are the basic housing requirements for cattle on a backyard farm?

On a backyard farm, cattle are usually tethered during the day and kept in a shed at night. The shed is often made from native materials like wood and bamboo for the structure, with roofing made from materials like nepa, kogon, or galvanized sheets.

What is the purpose of the cut-and-carry system in semi-commercial and intensive farming?

The cut-and-carry system involves harvesting grass or other forage and feeding it directly to the animals. This system is used in semi-commercial and intensive farming to ensure a controlled diet for the animals, as they are not allowed to graze freely.

How is housing different for beef cattle and dairy cattle?

Beef cattle housing is focused on space for grazing and fattening, often with individual stalls in feedlot systems. Dairy cattle, however, require additional infrastructure such as milking parlors, and their housing should provide more comfort and ease of milking, with systems like free stalls, Thai stalls, and bedded pack barns.

What are the advantages of using Thai stalls for dairy cattle?

Thai stalls allow greater interaction between the farmer and the herd. They are ideal for small herds, offering easy access for milking and management. They also ensure good ventilation, which is critical for the health of dairy cattle.

What are the space requirements for calves in a commercial farm?

In commercial farms, calves are often housed in individual pens or hatches, with a space requirement that allows them to move around freely, be fed individually, and have good ventilation. The pens should be placed about two feet apart to prevent disease spread.

How does the design of the milking parlor affect the milking process?

The design of the milking parlor determines the efficiency and ease of the milking process. For instance, parallel parlors allow all cows to be milked simultaneously, while tandem parlors allow cows to be milked one at a time. Herringbone and rotary parlors provide various access points for the milker, with rotary parlors using a rotating platform for automatic milking.

What is the difference between a herringbone and a rotary milking parlor?

In a herringbone parlor, cows stand at a 45-degree angle, allowing easier access to each cow for milking. In a rotary parlor, cows move in a rotating platform, allowing milking equipment to stay stationary while the cows come to the milker.

What are the key considerations when designing housing for water buffalo?

Water buffalo housing is similar to that for cattle, but the key difference is that buffalo may need additional space and specific care to accommodate grazing and tethering during the day. A shed is used for shelter in the evenings or when not grazing, and a milking area is often provided with an improvised shoot and head gate.

Why is ventilation so important in animal housing?

Proper ventilation ensures good air quality and reduces the buildup of harmful gases and moisture, which can affect animal health. It is especially important in confined spaces like barns and sheds, where poor ventilation can lead to respiratory issues and other health problems for the animals.