The role of bedding in cattle management

The health and productivity of cows directly depends on their housing conditions. These include not only nutrition and daily care, but also maintaining cleanliness in the stalls. To make it easier to clean stalls, farmers use a variety of mattresses and bedding. They not only make cleaning easier, but also absorb odors and excess moisture. It is much more comfortable and warmer for cows to sleep on them than on a regular floor.

Types of floors in barns

The main requirement that a floor must meet is warmth and water resistance. Otherwise, cows may get mastitis, colds, and tuberculosis. But the ability of materials to absorb moisture and feces leads to the fact that the air in the barn is saturated with caustic vapors of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. This should also be taken into account when choosing material.

Another important condition: the material must be strong enough to withstand the weight of an adult cow.

Most often, the floors in the barn in the aisles and stalls are made of the same material, but this condition is not necessary. The most common flooring material:

• cobble stone,
• Tree,
• Brick,
• Concrete,
• Cement,
• Asphalt,
• Flake slabs,
• Clay crushed stone.

If the floor in the stall is made of brick, cement or concrete, or asphalt, then it must be covered with either wooden panels or a bedding made of straw, sawdust, or shavings.

The warmest floor option is wood. The downside of such a floor is a slippery surface due to constant humidity, fragility, and a high level of contamination with urea and feces. Wood quickly absorbs all impurities, and such a floor needs to be replaced every two to three years.

Asphalt is quite expensive, and the floor made from it is cold. But in maintenance it is one of the most practical and durable materials. A brick floor becomes unusable quite quickly due to the fact that the sharp hooves of cows leave potholes on it. An adobe floor is not very strong, but it is also not very hard or waterproof, while a crushed clay floor, with similar characteristics, is more durable.

Cobblestone is very hard and cold, just like concrete. Another disadvantage of the materials is the slippery surface and quite expensive price. Pros: the material is durable, easy to clean, does not absorb moisture and odors. Usually, for insulation, concrete floors are covered with beams or logs. This floor will last much longer because an air gap is formed between the concrete and the wood. The boards dry quickly, the floor has a natural air circulation system. To make cleaning easier, the concrete floor is poured at a slight slope and a drain is made to drain the liquid.

Do-it-yourself cow stall for tethered housing: drawings, dimensions and standards

Building a cow stall with your own hands seems like a simple task only at first glance.
For example, it is necessary to correctly calculate the load on the foundation, make the correct floor covering so that the animals’ feet do not slip and they do not get injured. There are a number of features and standards that have been developed over the years.

Thanks to them, the cow has room for free maneuvers, at the same time, too much space in the barn is not used. It is very important to initially understand whether the animals will be kept tethered or loose. There are requirements and standards for this too.

Peculiarities

When calculating the dimensions of the stall, not only the general parameters of the animal are taken into account, but also the space that will be used when the individual stands up, lies down, or performs other basic maneuvers.

A stall for tethered animals has 3 main tie-downs:

• the distance of the shins above the knees and to the tail is calculated to be 160-185 cm;
• head volume – approximately 50 cm;
• additional space – 50 cm.

Read about the barn project here.

These dimensions are average and can vary depending on the volume of the animals themselves: for a bull, for example, more space is required, as well as for cows, which prefer a more recumbent position.

Lack of space leads to the fact that individuals can get injured: they can sprain their leg when standing up, slip, and as a result, their milk yield and weight gain decrease.

Based on length, experts distinguish several main types of pens:

1. Long stalls (more than 2 m). The disadvantage of this method is the increase in manual labor for cleaning and irrational use of space, which leads to a decrease in milk yield.
2. 1.7-2 m. This range is most often used in livestock farming. It is optimal for tethered cows, as it provides the necessary minimum freedom without compromising production performance.
3. 1.1 – 1.4 m – the range is too short for cows. Under such conditions, one cannot say that the animal is safe. Latticework at the rear of the stall can damage the udder and lead to mastitis and other diseases.

Read about a pigsty for 50 heads with your own hands at the link.

Width

The width is never less than 1 m - this is an absolute unit for all adult animals.

A width of 80 cm is allowed if the stall contains young animals up to 18-20 months. But in most cases, the width is calculated taking into account the characteristics of the group: milking, slaughter, young animals.

If we talk about the norm of square meters of floor per cow, then it varies from 1.7 to 2.3 square meters. m. Knowing the minimum floor area and width, the missing parameters are also calculated. Do not forget that the floor for draining feces must contain a slight slope. If the slope is severe, cows may be injured, so the recommended value is no more than 20°.

It is divided according to the coating:

• solid;
• a partially lattice covering under which the tank was placed.

The lattice covering is covered with rubber mats, which reduces the risk of injury.

Basically, natural wood is used in the barn - it provides natural warmth and reduces additional costs for bedding. On average, such a floor will last about 2-3 years.

If longer operation is required, then use a concrete foundation. It has its undeniable advantages:

• does not dampen;
• does not absorb specific odors;
• keeps mice, rats and other pests out.

But the concrete floor has a significant drawback - it is cold. Therefore, in order to provide cows with comfortable living conditions, bedding is laid out for them.

Litter

Bedding in most cases consists of scattered hay, which is removed along with feces once a week. Sometimes polyurethane coverings or rubberized mats are used as bedding on large farms. The bedding in the barn maintains hygiene and provides warmth to the animal during the cold season.

Arrangement of the place

For free-grazing cows and an animal that spends all its time in a stall, there will be different building conditions.

If the farm is large, but free-stall maintenance is implied, then the law described below does not make sense to build. In this case, simply a separate meadow is allocated, on which a corral and a small natural canopy are arranged.

Read about building a pig shed with your own hands in this material.

When loose

If you mean free grazing, then a pen should be built next to the barn where the animals can go out at any time. The total length is approximately 500 m per cow or calf.

As a rule, a pen on small farms is built with 2-4 animals, including calves.

Sometimes a sun canopy with tiles or decking is built over it, while the fence itself, the gate and posts are made of full timber.

The size of the stall for tethered housing was discussed above. It's worth noting here. That there should be a double feeder: for clean water and feed, for each cow. They are also planning a manure compartment with a reservoir.

To limit the maneuverability of cows, limiters are attached between the posts. The latter do not interfere with the individuals lying, but at the same time they hold its head above the feeder; and the main flow of excrement is discharged into the reservoir.

The Russian state, depending on the type of cattle, its breed and gender, has developed NTP 1-99 standards, which are supported in agriculture:

1. Dry and dairy cows have a stall width of 1.0 – 1.2 m; and the length is 1.7 - 2 m.
2. Individuals in deep pregnancy: width – 1.2 -2 m; length -2 m. In this case, a long type of stall is relevant.
3. Novotelnye: width 1.2 m; length – 2 m.
4. Meat breeds: stall width – 0.9-1.0 m; length – 1.7 m.
5. Young animals up to 20 months: width 0.8-1 m; length 1.7 m.

Read how to build a barn with your own hands here.

Stud bulls are in need. Like pregnant cows in a long stall of about 2 meters.

The main requirement for the premises is to create the necessary space for comfortable sleeping, eating and maneuverability of cows. In addition to thinking through and drawing the dimensions of the room, you should remember other components:

1. Barn ventilation. Most often it is made natural, but in such a way as to avoid drafts.
2. Heating system. Either pipes with hot water are laid, or initially during construction, insulating material is laid on the walls, floor, and roof.
3. Lighting. In addition to daylight, barns must also have artificial light.
4. Drinking bowls for cattle. The water supply is provided either by hand ore or by a complex plumbing system.
5. New removal device. There are several ways to remove slurry, one of the popular ones is to replace the bedding weekly.

One animal location varies in the range of 6-10 square meters. m; and the ceiling height is at least 2.5 meters.

This video explains how to build a cow stall with your own hands.

conclusions

You can build a stall with your own hands and do it simply, the main thing is to adhere to certain rules (drawing, algorithm):

1. There are clear standards prescribing what distance a cow must be provided for normal existence at home (it can be tied or raised in a free-stall manner).
2. If you make the stall smaller than the specified dimensions, the animal may be injured.
3. The floor in the barn is made with a slope, but not more than 20°.
4. In addition to the pen itself: it is equipped with a drinking bowl, a feeding trough, a manure remover, artificial lighting, insulation, sewerage and ventilation.
5. In case of free grazing, a pen is attached to the main stall, with a long path of at least 50 meters.

Read about loose housing for cows in this article.

Many novice cattle breeders believe that it is almost impossible to build a decent building for keeping cattle with their own hands. However, this task is not difficult to cope with; you just need to first familiarize yourself with the generally accepted requirements for building a barn.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the yield of mushroom blocks - the ABC of a mushroom grower,

If you plan to build a barn on the territory of a farm where there are already premises for other domestic animals, then a new building can be organized in close proximity to them. It is important to take into account the distance of the barn from the residential building. The optimal distance should be at least 15 m.

Avoid swampy areas, drafts and high humidity. Next to the barn, you should consider setting up a paddock for walking cattle.

An ideal barn should be spacious so that animals can freely stay there, not only standing but also lying down, and it should be warm, dry and bright. Don’t forget to think about and equip a stall for the cow, which can be made from metal pipes with a diameter of at least 5–6 cm.

The next preparatory stage will be the selection of materials and tools that will be useful during the work process. Today, prefabricated turnkey structures are very popular. Companies providing this service enter into a standard contract with the client, which stipulates all construction requirements, deadlines for completing the work and cost.

However, most farms are located in small villages, where people are accustomed to doing everything with their own hands. It is best to make a barn from wood.

The roof is covered with slate, and the bedding for the cattle is made of roofing felt, which does not absorb moisture.

You will also need sand, cement and clay during construction. Don’t forget to prepare the necessary tools and equipment: level, stake, shovels, containers of various diameters and depths, screws, nails, rope, hammer, etc.

One of the important stages of building a barn is the design. A well-drafted and thought-out construction plan will help you equip a barn for cattle as quickly and correctly as possible.

It will be difficult for a simple farmer to independently draw up a drawing of the future barn.

In order to avoid mistakes that may later negatively affect the living conditions of animals, it is better to use the services of specialists who are professionally involved in the design of residential and commercial buildings.

Litter in the barn

1. Dry and dairy cows have a stall width of 1.0 – 1.2 m; and the length is 1.7 - 2 m.
2. Individuals in deep pregnancy: width - 1.2 -2 m; length -2 m. In this case, a long type of stall is relevant.
3. Novotelnye: width 1.2 m; length – 2 m.
4. Meat breeds: stall width – 0.9-1.0 m; length – 1.7 m.
5. Young animals up to 20 months: width 0.8-1 m; length 1.7 m.

Types of bedding for cows

Bedding for cattle is made from sand, straw, sawdust, shavings, and special rubber mats are also used. Of all stall mats, rubber mats are the most expensive. Rubber also has one negative property: it retains moisture for a long time, in which dangerous bacteria develop. If the rubber is of poor quality, it will be quite slippery. In winter, the water on it can freeze, and this can lead to injury. Rubber mats are no different in durability.

Sand is convenient in the summer; in the winter months it freezes quickly. A significant disadvantage of sand is its heaviness. Completely replacing sand bedding requires a lot of physical effort.

The most optimal and common material for bedding is sawdust. They are used not only in cowsheds, but also in stables, sheepfolds and pigsties. They are lightweight, quick to replace, and absorb moisture well. The most important thing is that the sawdust is large and not dusty. Otherwise, respiratory diseases may occur.

Winter straw is also very popular as bedding material. It absorbs moisture and liquid manure well, is light and warm. Another plus is that animals can use it as additional food. Crushed peat is less commonly used for flooring.

General principles of barn construction

Before starting construction, you will need to take into account some rules, namely:

• the location of the building is chosen taking into account the wind rose;
• the future farm should not be located near residential premises or water sources;
• the material chosen is high-quality, safe, with high thermal insulation;
• the project is drawn up taking into account heating, ventilation and lighting;
• The dimensions of the room must correspond to the needs of the animal; any movements should not cause difficulties.

Did you know? On the skin of the nose of the reproaches there are lines that are so similar to the pattern of human palms. They are unique, like prints, and are never repeated.

Features of deep litter

Calves are usually kept on deep straw bedding, as well as cows before calving. The advantages of such bedding are warmth and softness. Disadvantages: active proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. To avoid infections, “deep litter” preparations are used. The drug is used not only for bedding made of straw, but also sawdust. It increases the shelf life of the litter several times.

After using the drug, a straw bedding can last up to one and a half years, and a mixture of sawdust and straw can last up to two years.

In order to use the drug, the floor must be covered with a layer of bedding of at least 35 cm. Powder of the drug is poured onto the straw, which can be pre-mixed with flour or bran. This will speed up the growth of beneficial bacteria. Then the cows are released. After a few days, pour another 30-35 cm layer of straw and another portion of powder.

After one and a half to two years, the litter is completely replaced. Old bedding is a mixture of manure, compost and straw. It can be taken to fields and used for fertilizer.

How to make a stall (barn, barn) for cows?

Cows are demanding in terms of living conditions, and the profitability of the enterprise, the health of the livestock, weight gain and the amount of milk depend on how comfortable and cozy the premises are. How to build a farm for cows so that it meets all the requirements for keeping animals and brings maximum income?

For good productivity, cows need a comfortable barn.

Requirements for bedding

Not only the cleanliness of the stall, but also the health of the cow depends on the quality of the bedding. A good bedding for cows should meet the following requirements:

• Be safe
• Prevent the proliferation of dangerous microbes,
• Easy to absorb moisture
• Be soft so that it is comfortable to lie on,
• Do not stick to the skin of the cow,
• Be easy to replace
• In the cold season, protect the cow from the cold,
• Don't be slippery
• Be convenient for storage and disposal.

Typically, the bedding is completely replaced every few days or weeks, depending on the species, and fresh feces are cleaned out daily.

Keeping calves

To keep calves, a wooden cage is made with a raised slotted floor, under which a film is fixed to drain the slurry into a vessel.

Such a cage can be placed in a heated room during the cold season, for example, to keep a newborn calf for up to one month.

On the front wall of the cage, a holder made of reinforcement is attached, bent into a ring for a bucket of water or milk, and next to it is a feeder for hay.

A cage for an older calf can be made of two compartments: for resting and feeding. The resting compartment is fenced off with boards and filled with clean, soft straw on which the calf rests.

For feeding, he goes down to a wooden or concrete floor with a slope to drain the slurry into a gutter.

Wooden cage for keeping calves:

1 – feeder;
2 – slatted slotted floor; 3 – a film stretched from the bottom side with a slope to drain the liquid into the vessel; 4 – vessel for liquid. Customized wooden calf cage:

1 – resting place; 2 – hay feeder; 3 - feeder for concentrates with bucket lock

Manure storage

A manure storage facility is built taking into account the fact that the output of manure per cow per year is 10-12 tons. For a barnyard, a manure storage facility measuring 2.5 x 2.5 m is sufficient. It is located next to the wall of the barn.

A canopy is provided over the manure storage facility. The pit depth can be 0.5 m.

In places with high groundwater levels, a manure storage facility is installed on the surface of the ground. If the place is sandy, the bottom is lined with clay, a layer of 20-30 cm with a slope towards the slurry collector to drain the accumulated slurry.

The walls of the pit are made of stone and cement mortar. Manure is placed in stacks 1-2 m high, after which it is covered with a layer of peat or small straw 10–15 cm thick and periodically watered with slurry or water.

A liquid-collection well with a diameter of 1 m and the same depth is installed nearby. The walls of the well and the bottom are coated with a layer of clay. A pipe is laid into the slurry container from the barn to drain urine.

Under the wall of the barn, the pipe should pass to a depth below freezing of the soil. The same pipe is removed from the manure storage facility.

A ditch is dug around the manure storage and slurry well to drain surface water.

Cow feed

In winter, the main food is hay. Its annual supply per cow (2.5-3 tons) and 1 ton of winter straw for bedding are placed in a wooden barn measuring 10x11 m and 3 m high.

The height of attic spaces intended for storing roughage and bedding in the middle part of the attic and in the areas where hatches are located in the ceiling must be at least 1.9 m.

Root and tuber crops are widely used to feed cows. They are stored in special dry storages, trenches or piles at a temperature of 1-2°C.

To ensure these conditions, ventilation ducts for air or exhaust pipes are installed in the piles of poles. The top and sides of the pile are covered with a layer of straw (40-50 cm) and covered with 30-40 cm of soil.

Root crops, tubers, and melons can be ensiled. For silage, a trench is dug and lined with plastic film. The mass is laid during the day, compacted, after which the trench is covered with film and covered with a layer of earth.

Livestock mats and mattresses

Special livestock mattresses for cows are manufactured using modern technologies. The thickness of the mattress is from two to six centimeters, and the width of one layer is from 120 to 180 cm. Mattresses can withstand not only the weight of an animal, but are also resistant to damage from sharp hooves. They are designed and created taking into account veterinary requirements, as well as the characteristics of keeping cattle.

Using livestock mattresses significantly reduces the chance of udder and hoof disease.

The coatings consist of two layers. The outer is hard, wear-resistant, waterproof and non-toxic. It is made of polypropylene fabric. A special pattern is applied to the surface of the layer, which prevents any slipping. Thanks to this pattern, any spreading material adheres well to the mattress. Polyurethane foam is used for the inner layer. This is an environmentally friendly material that is often used as a filler for ordinary mattresses. To prevent moisture from getting into the inner layer, it is covered with a film of durable polyethylene.

Livestock mattresses are quite easy to install. They are attached to the floors using edging beams. Mattresses remain durable and do not deform for several years.

Mat design

There are cheaper analogues of livestock sailors. They consist of a filler that provides elasticity and an outer layer made of special waterproof fabrics. Sand, finely chopped straw, pressed sawdust, and finely chopped car tires are most often used as filler.

Mats Care made in Russia

Mattresses with rubber filling are usually used in birth boxes. They are quite easy to use and make caring for animals easier. For greater comfort and warmth, a layer of sawdust or straw is placed on the mats.

General installation principles

• When installing a slatted floor for pigs or a slatted floor for cattle, the first thing to start with is the foundation and waterproofing of the base. The fact is that manure itself is a rather aggressive environment and therefore it is impossible to save on its basis.
• If you decide to build a small farm with your own hands, then we recommend making the area for bathtubs and channels for manure at least 30 cm. As a rule, it is made of crushed stone or sand, but if you have the opportunity, then a moldboard is well suited for this purpose slag, and it can be covered with a thinner layer. After shrinkage, the dump slag turns into a strong monolithic mass.
• Waterproofing is laid on top of the blind area; the most budget option is roofing felt.
• Next, the reinforcement frame is installed and the monolithic concrete covering is poured. You can use reinforced concrete slabs, but in this case the joints between the floor slabs should be well waterproofed with bitumen.
• The depth of the manure bath is 60 cm to the level of the top covering.
• For comfortable cleaning of the bathtub by gravity, you need to make a slope from the far wall to the channel with a height difference of about 50 cm.

Keeping sows with piglets.

Important: all joints, both on the surface of the bathtub and in the channels, must be reliably insulated with bitumen.

• The supports under the slatted floor for pigs must be adjusted strictly to the level, because otherwise the slabs will begin to “dance” and can injure the animals.
• Plastic panels have a standard size of 60x40 cm and they are laid on special logs. Logs can be made of galvanized metal or fiberglass.
• If you plan to lay reinforced concrete or cast iron slabs on the floor, you should take into account their weight; the supports for them are reinforced.
• The use of wood for arranging the upper flooring is also possible; moreover, wooden flooring is quite warm and comfortable, plus its price is quite affordable. But wood has a number of serious disadvantages when used on farms. So wood is quite hygroscopic and quickly becomes saturated with moisture, then the wood is afraid of pests and rodents. And the worst part is that such a floor will last a maximum of 3 years without repair.
• But there is a good option: a concrete slatted floor for cattle can be equipped with removable wooden flooring. With this option, animals receive a clean room and warm, comfortable flooring.
• When installing a slatted floor for pigs, you can save money by combining slatted and monolithic flooring. But for this you need to think through in detail the location of the feeders and drinkers. In particular, we recommend placing a feeder with a drinker on the slotted part of the pen, and you need to add another drinker in the far corner of the slotted pen. Next, you need to separate the two pens with a transparent partition. With this layout, animals make a den on a monolithic floor, and feed and defecate on the slotted part of the pen.

Piglets for fattening.

Rubber mats for cows

Another type of bedding is a monolithic rubber mat. Rubber matting is not usually used as the sole bedding. He is quite cold and hard. Cows do not know how to lie down smoothly; when there is less than twenty centimeters left to the floor, they literally fall to the floor. If the bedding is only a rubber mat, this can lead to abrasions and bruises. It is recommended to cover the mat with a layer of sawdust or straw.

Rubber bedding

This is especially important in winter, when the floors are quite cold. The advantages include the low cost of the coating and relative durability. When used correctly, a rubber mat can last for several years. Another plus is that it greatly facilitates cleaning the stall, does not slip, and does not deform under the influence of animal hooves.

Conclusion

Livestock complex.

Slotted floors for pigs are a relatively simple matter. Although we do not recommend saving too much here, because you are not building a farm for 1 day, and the floor bears perhaps the heaviest load. And then, by installing a clean, comfortable covering for animals, you will not only work less, but also get stable daily weight gain by your animals.

The video in this article clearly shows the options for using slot covering.

If you need to buy a hovercraft in Moscow, call or write to us, we will be glad to mutually beneficial cooperation! All you need is to simply add the item to your cart and after that our polite managers will contact you and answer all your questions! Place the goods and after that our polite employees will contact you and answer your questions (they will answer about delivery and advise when the goods will be delivered to your locality). We will be glad to mutually beneficial cooperation!