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The stall for calves, adult bulls, milking and pregnant cows varies in size. The animal is provided with sufficient space for wakefulness and rest. Additionally, they create a reserve of space necessary for a person to serve cattle.
What is the difference between a calf pen and a cow pen
First of all, all stalls differ in size. The parameter depends on the type of cattle, gender, characteristics of the breed. According to the established norms NTP 1-99, stalls for calves and adult animals are built taking into account the established standards:
- milking, new-calving, dry, 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 under the age of 20 months is made up to 1 m wide, 1,7 m long.
When arranging the corral, the calves are given exactly as much space as is enough for rest, eating, and being awake. As for the adult category, they are considering a reserve of space for milking machines for milking cows in stalls, as well as for other needs.
Stall requirements for cattle
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, 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 the maximum to insulate all the elements of the barn by laying thermal insulation;
- windows provide lighting, 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 of an effective manure removal system.
The requirements help to provide the calves in the stall with optimal living conditions. Animals will not get sick, they will quickly gain weight, and it is much more pleasant to serve clean cows.
On the video, the arrangement of the stall:
With a stall system for keeping cattle
The year is conditionally divided into 2 periods: pasture in summer and stall in winter. The duration of each depends on weather conditions. In fact, the stall period of cows is a constant pastime in the barn. It lasts an average of 180 to 240 days.
The main conditions for the successful keeping of cows without grazing are:
- well-equipped insulated cowsheds;
- a complete diet of feed;
- 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 stall is the permanent habitat of the animal when it is tied up. Animal health and productivity depend on its quality arrangement. It is important to take care of the correct placement of the cow. She should stand with her head to the feeder, and her back to the gutter.
If stall keeping of cattle is expected, the width of the corral for calves is 1 m, for adult cows 1,2 m, for heifers 1,5 m. In private farmsteads, they usually adhere to the average value. A universal stall is constructed with a width of 1,2 m.
Usually stall keeping of cows is 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. Two rows are combined in front with a feeder or behind with a manure passage. Each row contains up to 50 pens. Between each 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 1,25 m, the length is 2,8 m. The pens located near the wall are extended up to 3 m.
Short stalls will suit small calves, while an adult cow will have an udder and rear end protruding into the passage. Constantly getting dirt and microbes will lead to illness, decrease in milk yield.
In the pen, be sure to equip a thick litter. Calves should not lie on concrete. The litter is poured from hay, straw or sawdust.
How to make a do-it-yourself cattle stall
Before starting construction, first choose the optimal location. The corral for calves is located at a distance of at least 15-20 m from residential premises and sources of drinking water. A good place for construction is a distant section of a garden or vegetable garden. Simplifies manure removal. Here it can be stored for compost.
The dimensions of the stall are maintained in accordance with the norms. If it is decided to build a two-sided section for the calves, then they organize a passage 1,5 m wide. The height of the ceilings is made from 2,5 to 3 m.
The floor for the cow is the most important element of the stall. To prevent the animal from getting sick, you need a dry and warm area. 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 do a big turn. The legs of the animal will be in constant tension, and a pregnant cow may have a miscarriage.
There are two important requirements for flooring: 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 shields. If necessary, they are taken out of the corral, cleaned, disinfected, dried. A concrete floor is considered the most practical, but it is harmful to 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. A gutter 20 cm wide and 10 cm deep is made from each stall to the ditch.
Underlayment is used to insulate the floor. Straw or sawdust is poured in a thick layer of about 30 cm. It is ideal to pour peat bedding. Natural material is antiseptic, absorbs moisture well. The calf will always be dry and clean. As the soil becomes dirty, the bedding 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 fast, you will have to change daily.
Conclusion
A calf stall can be compared to a human bed. If the bed is dry, clean, it is pleasant to sleep on it. In dampness and dirt, the cow feels discomfort. In addition to the risk of disease, milk production is reduced. Calves slowly gain weight, weaken.