Livestock farmers rear diary animals for milk and source of income therefore it is highly recommended for farmers to properly take care of animals through proper animal housing practices.
Further more appropriate dairy housing management is essential requirement to fulfil the physiological, psychological and behavioural needs of animals thus increasing the overall production. Generally roof height should be 5.0-5.5 metre by 3.5-2.5 metre covering area of 3-4 metres either side ease production.
Basic practices
Always ensure proper ventilation to enable free air circulation and animal shade should be at higher elevation as well to offer a good slope for drainage.
Secondly, construct shade in east- west orientation with maximum ventilation to avoid maximum solar exposure and the shade roofing should be made with bad heat conductors such as asbestos to prevent heat absorption.
Also the shade should be made of sand or impervious material for easy cleaning and the floor should have a gradient of 1 in 40 towards drains to facilitate liquid flow out.
Furthermore build appropriate cement concentrate manger and water trough for durability and cleanliness and as well provide artificial cooling systems to reduce the heat stress.
Lastly provide separate housing basing on age, animal physiological condition with sufficient light source during night time to facilitate animal monitoring during night.
