Page 83 - Agriculture_Form_Three

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Figure 4.8: Simple beef cattle loose shed in a paddock

Conventional housing for dairy cattle

This housing system is mainly practised for dairy cattle that are kept completely
indoor in medium to large-scale farming. In most cases, animals in conventional
housing system are housed individually in tie stalls or individual pens. a tie stall
is a form of housing common in the large-scale dairy farming where cows are
individually tethered at the neck in separate stalls. A chain or rope is attached to a
collar around the cow’s neck to prevent her from leaving her stall. Food and water

troughs are equipped at the front of the stall so as to provide the cow with feed and
water. In temperate regions where this housing is commonly practised, the barns
are completely covered with roofs and the sidewalls are closed with windows or
ventilator located at suitable places to get more ventilation and lighting. A minimum
of 2.5 - 3 m per cow is required if standing for extended periods. In a tie stall house,
2
a cow is tied up in a stall for feeding, watering, resting, milking and for everything
she wants. This system of housing however, restricts cow’s movement, ability to

socialise, graze and groom as well as freedom to perform other natural behaviours.
Therefore, this kind of housing is becoming less popular day by day due to animal
welfare issues. Figure 4.9 shows a section in tie stall dairy house.

Student’s Book Form Three
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AGRICULTURE FORM 3 9.11.2022.indd 72 10/01/2025 12:31