Cattle Housing

Question 1

What are common considerations with housing

Answer 1

Ease of management
Hygiene
Lameness
Ventilation
Welfare codes
Cow flow
Intervention/restraint

Question 2

What do we check with lactating cows

Answer 2

Feed intake
Lying comfort
Locomotion
Parlour access
Water
Observation
Restraint
No stressors

Question 3

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a straw yard

Answer 3

Advantages - cow comfort choice of lying position. Decreased lameness
Disadvantages - more bedding required and less choice. Higher mastitis risk

Question 4

How do we manage bedding

Answer 4

Compost effect
Daily top up
Complete clear out 3-6 weeks
Need 2-3 tonnes/cow/180 days

Question 5

How much lying space and loafing space do cows need

Answer 5

They need to be separate areas water must only be accessible by loafing space
Lying space - minimum = 7.5m2 per cow better = 1.25m2 / 1000l of milk
Loafing space - 3m2

Question 6

What is essential in cow housing

Answer 6

Dry straw and good ventilation
Can be done via Yorkshire boarding

Question 7

What are the advantages of cubicles

Answer 7

Higher cleanliness
Efficient use of space
Individual lying space can benefit lower hierarchy cows
Bedding advantages
Can get more cows in

Question 8

What lunging space must a cubicle have

Answer 8

70-100cm

Question 9

What can we use instead of a neck rail

Answer 9

Brisket board

Question 10

What cubicle components do we need to consider

Answer 10

Length - 2.3m open front. 2.6m against wall
Width 1.2m
Kerb 15-20cm
Kerb to brisket board - 1.6-1.8m
Divisions
Bedding
Sometimes a neck rail

Question 11

What is the cow comfort quotient

Answer 11

2 hours after feeding
Looking for cows engaging with cubicle - how many are lying and how many are lying correctly
Minimum 80%

Question 12

How many cubicles do you need for the herd

Answer 12

5% more cubicles than number of cows

Question 13

What bedding can we use for cubicle house

Answer 13

Straw, sand, sawdust, manure solids, mattress, water bed

Question 14

What are cross over points

Answer 14

A gap every 20 cubicles and one at the end so they can move to feed without interference

Question 15

What must be points of flooring

Answer 15

Provide grip
Slopes not too steep
Keep distances short
Avoid right angles

Question 16

What must be considered with slurry management

Answer 16

One cow produces 60l faeces per day
Automatic systems - injury, wave of faeces in front can get onto cow and cause mastitis

Question 17

What are the considerations of feeding

Answer 17

Trough space per cow 10cm per 1000l of milk or 10cm for every 100kg of body weight
Smooth surfaces = cow preference + cleaning
Good space allowance and increased DM can decreases aggression
If too high DMI lower as lower salvia flow
Reach of cow doubles if feed platform 20cm higher than floor

Question 18

How big must the cubicle passage, cross over point and feed passage be

Answer 18

Cubicle passage = 3m
Cross over point = 2.4-3.6m
Feed passage 4.6m

Question 19

What are a cows water requirements

Answer 19

100l a day per cow
Sufficient top up rate
Peak times - after milking and sunset
Cleanliness and quality

Question 20

What does the calving area need

Answer 20

Hygiene
Space for intervention e.g. vet gate
Grip and comfort

Question 21

What must we consider with bull housing

Answer 21

Visual contact with other cattle
Feed and water from outside
Segregate for bedding
No accidental access
Restraining facility pen

Question 22

What are common problems of pasture

Answer 22

Gateways
Poor drainage
Access to water at least 10% of group should be able to drink at one time
Fencing - effective, injury risk, protection
Inclement weather - shade, wind shelter