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Stalls for calves, adult bulls, dairy cows and pregnant cows vary in size. The animal is provided with sufficient space to stay awake and rest. Additionally, they create a reserve of space necessary for a person to service cattle.
What is the difference between a corral for calves and cows?
First of all, all stalls differ in size. The parameter depends on the type of cattle, gender, and characteristics of the breed. According to established standards NTP 1-99, stalls for calves and adult animals are built taking into account the established standards:
- for milking, new-calving, dry-calving, and highly pregnant individuals, the width of the stall is set up to 1.2 m, length from 1.7 to 2 m;
- The stall for beef cows and young calves up to 20 months of age is made up to 1 m wide and 1.7 m long.
When arranging the pen, the calves are given just enough space to rest, eat, and stay awake. As for the adult category, they are thinking about the reserve of space for milking machines for milking cows in stalls, as well as for other needs.
Requirements for stalls for cattle
When organizing a pen for calves, in addition to the size, the type of building material is taken into account, which often depends on the chosen method of keeping cattle. In addition to this, there are also standard requirements:
- ventilation for a small number of heads is made of a natural type so that there are no drafts;
- they lay pipes for heating or try to insulate all elements of the barn as much as possible by laying thermal insulation;
- Lighting is provided by windows, but additional electric lights are needed;
- drinking bowls are installed with an autonomous water supply or poured manually;
- calves and adult cows must stand clean, so an effective manure removal system is designed.
The requirements help ensure that the calves in the stall have optimal living conditions. The animals will not get sick, they will quickly gain weight, and it is much more pleasant to serve clean cows.
The video shows the arrangement of the stall:
With a stall system for keeping cattle
The year is conventionally divided into 2 periods: grazing in summer and stable in winter. The duration of each depends on weather conditions. In essence, the cows' stall period means spending time in the barn all the time. It lasts on average from 180 to 240 days.
The main conditions for successfully keeping cows without grazing are:
- well-equipped insulated barns;
- complete feed ration;
- availability of water supply;
- thoughtful organization of work.
If there are few calves on the farm, the stall is usually constructed from a metal frame. Often boards are used for construction. The stall is the permanent habitat of the animal when kept in a tether. The health of the animal and productivity depend on its quality arrangement. It is important to ensure that the cow is positioned correctly. She should stand with her head towards the feeder and her back towards the gutter.
If cattle are to be kept in stalls, the width of the pen for calves is 1 m, for adult cows 1.2 m, for pregnant heifers 1.5 m.In private farmsteads, the average value is usually followed. A universal stall is constructed with a width of 1.2 m.
Stall housing of cows is usually practiced on industrial farms. The pens are built of brick or concrete. For a large number of heads, a multi-row arrangement of stalls is used. The two rows are connected in front by a feeder or in the back by a manure passage. Each row contains up to 50 pens. Between every two stalls for adult bulls, a passage 60-75 cm wide is organized.
With a stall-pasture system for keeping cattle
When kept free-stall, the pen serves as a resting place for the calves. This is where they usually lie. The stall resembles a fenced area, the size of which corresponds to the size of the animal. If a stall-walking system for keeping cattle is practiced, the width of the area is 1.25 m, the length is 2.8 m. The pens located near the wall are extended to 3 m.
Short stalls will suit small calves, but a mature cow will have her udder and hindquarters protruding into the aisle. Constantly getting dirt and microbes will lead to illness and decreased milk production.
The paddock must be provided with thick bedding. Calves should not lie on concrete. The bedding is made of hay, straw or sawdust.
How to make a stall for cattle with your own hands
Before starting construction, the optimal location is first selected. The corral for calves is located at a distance of at least 15-20 m from living quarters and sources of drinking water. A good place for construction is a distant part of the garden or vegetable garden.Manure removal is simplified. Here it can be stored for compost.
The dimensions of the stall are maintained according to the standards. If you decide to build a double-sided section for the calves, then create a passage 1.5 m wide. The ceiling height is made from 2.5 to 3 m.
The cow floor is the most important element of the stall. To prevent the animal from getting sick, a dry and warm area is needed. The floor is raised 100 mm above ground level. Be sure to provide a slope towards the gutter of about 30 mm to prevent the accumulation of manure and urine. You can't make a big slope. The animal's legs will be in constant tension, and a calving cow may have a miscarriage.
There are two important requirements for floor coverings: strength and water resistance. Hardwood boards are used for the arrangement. They are compacted into a layer of clay with the addition of concrete. You can make removable floors for calves from wooden panels. If necessary, they are taken out of the pen, cleaned, disinfected, and dried. A concrete floor is considered the most practical, but it is harmful to calves.
Along with the floor, a ditch is built to collect slurry. The length depends on the length of the barn. The width of the ditch is 1.2 m, the depth is about 80 cm. A trench 20 cm wide and 10 cm deep is made from each stall to the ditch.
To insulate the floor, use bedding. Straw or sawdust is poured in a thick layer of about 30 cm. It is ideal to add peat bedding. The natural material is antiseptic and absorbs moisture well. The calf will always be dry and clean.As the litter becomes dirty, it is cleaned and replaced with new material. The optimal frequency of change is considered to be once every 2-3 days. If the contamination is rapid, you will have to change it daily.
Conclusion
A calf stall can be compared to a human bed. If the bed is dry and clean, it is pleasant to sleep on. In dampness and dirt, the cow feels discomfort. In addition to the risk of disease, milk yield decreases. The calves slowly gain weight and become weaker.
