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Stalls for calves, adult bulls, dairy cows and pregnant cows vary in size. The animal is provided with ample room to stay awake and rest. Additionally, they create a stock of space necessary for a person to service cattle.
How a calf and cow pen is different
First of all, all stalls vary in size. The parameter depends on the type of cattle, gender, breed characteristics. According to the established norms of NTP 1-99, stalls for calves and adult animals are built taking into account the established standards:
- milking, new cows, dead, individuals of deep pregnancy, the width of the stall is equipped up to 1.2 m, the length is from 1.7 to 2 m;
- a stall for beef cows and young calves up to 20 months old is made up to 1 m wide and 1.7 m long.
When arranging a corral, calves are given exactly as much space as there is enough for rest, eating, and waking up. As for the adult category, they are considering a reserve of space for milking installations for milking cows in stalls, as well as for other needs.
Cattle stall requirements
When organizing a corral for calves, in addition to size, they take into account the type of building material, 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;
- pipes are laid for heating or they try to insulate all elements of the barn to the maximum by laying thermal insulation;
- lighting is provided by windows, but additional electric lights are needed;
- drinkers are placed with an autonomous water supply or poured manually;
- calves and adult cows must be kept clean, so they think over an effective manure removal system.
Requirements help ensure optimal living conditions for the calves in the stall. The animals will not get sick, they will gain weight quickly, and it is much more pleasant to serve clean cows.
In the video, the arrangement of the stall:
With a stall system for keeping cattle
The year is conventionally divided into 2 periods: pasture in summer and stall in winter. The duration of each one depends on the weather conditions. In fact, the stall period of cows is a constant pastime in the barn. It lasts on average from 180 to 240 days.
The main conditions for the successful keeping of cows without grazing are:
- well equipped insulated cowsheds;
- a complete feed ration;
- availability of water supply;
- thoughtful organization of work.
If there are few calves on the farm, the stall is usually built from a metal frame. Often a board is used for construction. The stable is the permanent habitat of the animal when it is tethered. The health of the animal, productivity depends on its high-quality arrangement. It is important to take care of the correct placement of the cow. It should stand with its head towards the feeder, and with its back towards the gutter.
If stall keeping of cattle is supposed, the width of the corral for calves is made 1 m, for adult cows - 1.2 m, for pregnant heifers - 1.5 m. In private farmsteads, the average value is usually adhered to. A universal stall is erected with a width of 1.2 m.
Usually, stall keeping of cows is practiced on industrial farms. The corrals are erected brick or concrete. For a large number of heads, a multi-row arrangement of stalls is used. The two rows are connected in front with a feeder or behind 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
In loose housing, the corral serves as a resting place for calves. This is where they usually lie. The stall resembles a fenced area, the size of which corresponds to the dimensions of the animal. If a stall-walking system for keeping cattle is practiced, the width of the site is made 1.25 m, the length is 2.8 m. The corrals located near the wall are extended to 3 m.
Short stalls are suitable for small calves, and for an adult cow, the udder and hindquarters will protrude into the passage. Constantly getting dirt and microbes will lead to illness, a decrease in milk yield.
In the corral, a thick bedding is required. Calves must not lie on concrete. The bedding is made from hay, straw or sawdust.
How to make a cattle stall with your own hands
Before starting construction, first choose the best place. The corral for calves is located at a distance from living quarters and sources of drinking water at least 15-20 m. A good place for construction is a distant section of the garden or vegetable garden. Manure removal is simplified. It can also be stored here for compost.
The dimensions of the stall are maintained in accordance with the standards. If it is decided to build a two-sided section for the calves, then they organize a passage with a width of 1.5 m.The height of the ceilings is made from 2.5 to 3 m.
The cow floor is the most important part of the stall. To prevent the animal from getting sick, a dry and warm area is needed. Raise the floor 100 mm above ground level. Be sure to provide a slope of about 30 mm towards the gutter to prevent the accumulation of manure and urine. You cannot do a large bias. The legs of the animal will be in constant tension, and the calving cow may have a miscarriage.
There are two important requirements for a floor covering: strength and water resistance. For the arrangement, hardwood boards are used. They are rammed 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, dried. A concrete floor is considered the most practical, but it is harmful for calves.
Together with the floor, they equip a ditch for collecting 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.From each stall to the ditch, a groove 20 cm wide and 10 cm deep is made.
To insulate the floor, use a litter. Straw or sawdust is poured in a thick layer of about 30 cm. It is ideal to use peat bedding. Natural material is antiseptic and absorbs moisture well. The calf will always be dry and clean. As it gets dirty, the litter is cleaned out, replaced with new material. The optimal frequency of change is considered to be every 2-3 days. If the pollution is rapid, you will have to change it daily.
Conclusion
The calf barn is like a human bed. If the bed is dry, clean, it is pleasant to sleep on it. Damp and muddy conditions make the cow feel uncomfortable. In addition to the risk of disease, milk yield decreases. Calves slowly gain weight, weaken.
