Animal Housing Flashcards
2 major considerations regarding animal housing
animal comfort and safety
if an animal is living outside all year round, what is most important for them
receive good nutrition (and thus good heat production)
Why sufficient floor space is important
room for exercise, areas for e/d big enough, no overcrowding
an area for e/d that is too small may lead to what issues
aggression, bigger animals beat others to the food
what issues are caused by overcrowding
poor sanitation, injury (kicking, headbutting), transmission of disease, increase in temp and humidity and pathogens, disruption of the social order, stress behaviors (vices)
what makes good livestock flooring
durable, non-slip, not too abrassive, easy to clean, water resistant
purpose of beddind
comfort, absorption, insulation
organic examples of bedding
sawdust, shavings, straw, composted manure
what kind of wood should not be used as shavings/ sawdust for bedding
why?
black walnut
toxic if eaten, can cause dermatitis, foot damage
(esp. in horses)
inorganic examples of bedding
sand, paper, shredded rubber (cow mattresses)
why excerise is important
maintin healthy weight and muscle tone (can help w calving), prevents stress, aggression, and boredom
what causes stable vices in horses
boredom, stress
examples of stable vices in horses
wood chewing, cribbing, agression, weaving
what is cribbing
wrap lips aroung object, suck in air, makes roaring noise
what is weaving
stepping back and forth on feet
how lighting affects animals
impacts fertility(estrus cycle affected), impacts production(consume more in light), worker saftey
what is stray voltage
low level of electric current in areas that shouldn’t have any. often felt by animals even if humans cant
where is stray voltage common
wet areas(milking parlor; water around vats, heaters or lights)
why stray voltage is bad
cause animals to fear certain areas, relucant to move, production decreases, fertility decreases, nervous/scared
examples of specialized areas within animal housing
maternity area, nusing area, hospital/treatment, quarintine
how bad ventilation affects an animals health
increases temp & humidity, therefore more pathogens. increase in ammonia fumes from urine (can damage trachea or cause respiratory disease)
describe a natural ventilation system
3 closed sides, one open (south preferably), elevated for well drainage
why the open side of a natural ventilation system should face south
less strong winds (prevailing winds come from west), more sun)
descibe an open air design ventilation system
air enters through openings in side walls, fans may be used to help circulate air, air leaves open vent at opening in roof, curtains may be used to control air entering
on a warm day the curtains on an open air barn should be _____
cold?
warm= open
cold=closed
describe a closed barn ventilation system
4 walls, roof intact, fans used to bring in fresh air and exhaust stale air (containing ammonia fumes, pathogens, dust, heat, moisture)
temperature range for most animals
swine?
ab 50 degrees
swine warmer
closed barn systems are seen mostly for what animals
poultry and swine
how often air should be changes in a closed barn system is based on
size and # of animals
