🥅Dairy Housing Management - Site Selection, Floor Space, Loose vs Conventional Systems

• An efficient housing of cattle requires a well-planned and adequate housing of cattle. Improper planning in the arrangement of animal housing may results in additional labour charges and curtail the profit of the owner. Good housing is not merely shelter — it directly affects animal health, productivity, and reproductive performance.
• So during erection of a house for dairy cattle, following points should be considered:

1. Topography & drainage: A dairy building should be on higher elevation than the surrounding ground to offer a good slope for rainfall & drainage for rainfall & drainage for the wastes of the dairy to avoid stagnation within. Proper drainage prevents waterlogging, which can lead to hoof diseases and breeding of flies and mosquitoes.
2. Soil type: Foundation soil should not be too hydrated or desiccated. Because such soils are susceptible to considerable swelling during rainy season and exhibit numerous cracks and fissures. Ideally, the soil should be well-drained loamy soil that can bear the load of the structure without shifting.
3. Exposure to sun and protection from wind: As far as possible, the long axis of the dairy barns should be in north-south direction to have maximum benefit of the sun. Protection from cold & hot weather. Direction of Cow Shed: North-South (to get maximum sun-light). The north-south orientation (long axis running N-S) means the longer walls face East and West, so both sides receive sunlight (morning and afternoon respectively), promoting hygiene and reducing dampness. This is the standard recommendation per G.C. Banerjee and most Indian exam syllabi. (Note: some ICAR publications recommend E-W long axis to reduce solar heat gain on larger walls in hot climates — if the question specifies ICAR, verify the source.)
4. Accessibility: Easy accessible. Situation of the cattle shed by the side of the main road preferably at a distance 100 meters should be aimed. This distance keeps the animals away from traffic noise and dust while maintaining convenient access for milk transport and veterinary visits.
5. Water supply: Abundant, fresh, clean, soft water. A dairy farm requires large quantities of water not just for drinking but also for cleaning, bathing animals, and washing utensils.
6. Thermo-neutral Zone (TNZ): The range of temperatures of the immediate environment in which a cattle maintain normal body temperature without needing to use energy above and beyond normal basal metabolic rate. Within this zone, animals are most comfortable and productive. Temperatures outside this range force the animal to spend energy on heating or cooling, reducing the energy available for milk production.
   • Exotic/crossbred cattle (HF, Jersey): TNZ = 5–25°C
   • Indigenous breeds (Zebu, Sahiwal, Gir): TNZ = 15–35°C (better heat tolerance)
   • Indian crossbred cattle are more vulnerable to heat stress than indigenous breeds, making housing orientation and ventilation even more critical on farms with HF or Jersey crosses.
7. Labour: Honest, economic, regular supply
8. Marketing: Dairy should be at a place from where the owner can sell his products profitably and regularly. Proximity to markets reduces transportation costs and ensures fresher milk reaches consumers.
9. Electricity: Adequate supply for electric equipment in the dairy.
10. Miscellaneous factors: Area should not be infested with diseases, wild animal, dacoits etc.

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Floor space requirement per animal (ICAR)

• Down Calver: Some time before calving. Down calvers need additional space as they are in the advanced stage of pregnancy and require more room for comfortable movement and lying down.
• For square feet — multiply the area value by 10.76
• As Murrah buffalo is large in size require 50 sq. feet (per older/state standards). Note: ICAR norm for buffalo is 4.0 m² ≈ 43 sq. ft covered area. The 50 sq. ft figure appears in some state-level guidelines and older texts — if ICAR norms are specifically asked, use 4.0 m². Since Murrah is the largest common dairy buffalo breed, it needs more space than cows for comfortable housing.

Detailed Floor Space Requirements (ICAR Norms)

If specially mentioned according to NABARD norms for cross-breed cattle:

NABARD Norms for Crossbred Cattle Housing

* Bulls to be housed individually. (Source: NABARD)

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Feeding and Watering Space Requirements

Adequate feeding and watering space ensures all animals get equal access to feed and water, reducing competition and stress.

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Floor Types

There are two main types of floors used in cattle housing:

1. Solid Floor

• It is a common floor with a solid surface made out of different materials such as cement concrete, vitrified paving brick, building brick, stones and gravel.
• A slope of 1/40 is desirable in the animal standing area and a slope of 1/60 is desirable towards the dung channel. These slopes ensure proper drainage of urine and wash water, keeping the floor dry and hygienic.
• Cement concrete floors are durable and easy to clean but can become slippery. Grooving the surface helps prevent slipping.
• Brick floors provide better grip for animals but are less durable and harder to keep clean.

2. Deep Litter Floor

• It is made of bedding material arranged as dried layers.
• Straw, paddy husk, saw dust, groundnut hulls, dried leaves are spread on the floor as litter materials.
• It can be spread as a layer of 4-6 inches thickness and can be allowed to accumulate over a period of a month to 1 year.
• The litter gets mixed with excreta and decomposed, generating warmth in cold weather. This decomposed litter also serves as excellent organic manure for crop fields.

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Main Building Units

Single Row System

• In single row system, 12-16 numbers of animals can be kept.
• Length of the building: 3.80-4.25 metres.
• Suitable for small dairy farms with fewer animals.

Double Row System

• More than 16 animals can be kept in double row system.
• Length of the building: 7.90-8.70 metres.
• In double row system, up to 50 animals can be maintained in a single shed.
• The distance between two sheds should be greater than 30 feet or it should be twice the height of the building. This spacing allows adequate ventilation, sunlight penetration, and movement of machinery.

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Types of Housing

There are two types of dairy barns in general use at present time:

Loose Housing System

• Loose housing may be defined as a system where animals are kept loose except milking and at the time of treatment. The system is most economical. This is the most widely recommended system for modern dairy farming because of its numerous advantages.
• Some features of loose housing system are as follows:
  • Cost of construction is significantly lower than conventional type. Savings can be as high as 40-50% compared to conventional barns.
  • It is possible to make further expansion without much changes
  • Facilitate easy detection of animals in heat. When animals move freely, heat signs like mounting behaviour are easily observable.
  • Animals feel free and therefore, prove more profitable with even minimum grazing.
  • Animals get optimum exercise which is extremely important for better health and production
  • Overall better management can be rendered.

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Conventional System

• The conventional dairy barns are comparatively costly and are now becoming less popular day by day. However, by this system cattle are more protected from adverse climatic conditions. Conventional housing keeps animals tethered in individual stalls, which provides more control but limits their movement.
• The following barns are generally needed for proper housing of different classes of dairy-stocks on the farm.

Cow Sheds

• Cow sheds can be arranged in a single row if the numbers of cows are small (less than 16) or in a double row if the herd is a large one (more than 16). Remember this threshold of 16 animals as the dividing line between single-row and double-row arrangements (consistent with ICAR single-row capacity of 12–16 animals).
• Ordinarily, not more than 80 to 100 cows should be placed in one building.
• In double row housing, the stable should be so arranged that the cows face out (tails to tail system) or face in (head to head system) as preferred. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages, discussed below.

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Tail to Tail System

In this arrangement, the rear ends of cows in both rows face the central passage, while their heads face outward toward the walls.

Advantages of tail to tail system

• In cleaning and milking the cows, the wide middle alley is of great advantage. The milker works in the central passage, making supervision and milking more efficient.
• Lesser danger of spread of diseases from animal to animal.
• Cows can always get more fresh air from outside.
• The head gowala can inspect a greater number of milkmen while milking. This is possible because milkmen will be milking on both sides of the gowala. This makes the tail-to-tail system preferred for large dairies where supervision of milking hygiene is critical.
• Any sort of minor disease or any change in the hind quarters of the animals can be detected quickly and even automatically.

Disadvantages of tail to tail system

• Spreading of diseases through digestive and reproductive system is high. Since the drainage channel runs centrally, contamination can spread if one animal has an infectious disease.
• Drainage channel is not exposed to sunlight. This can lead to dampness and microbial growth in the central area.
• Feeding of animals is laborious. Feed must be carried to both outer walls, which requires more effort and time.

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Head to Head System

In this arrangement, the heads of cows in both rows face the central feeding passage, while their tails face outward.

Advantages of Head to Head system

• Cows make a better showing for visitors when heads are together.
• The cows feel easier to get into their stalls.
• Sun rays shine in the gutter where they are needed most. Since the drainage channels are along the outer walls, they receive more sunlight, which helps in natural disinfection.
• Feeding of cows is easier, both rows can be fed without back tracking. A single trip through the central feeding passage allows the feeder to serve both rows simultaneously.
• It is better for narrow barns.

Disadvantages of Head to Head system

• All animals don’t get fresh air. The central passage can become stuffy as animals breathe toward each other.
• Spreading diseases through respiratory system is maximum. Animals facing each other are more likely to inhale infectious droplets from sick neighbours.
• Supervision of animals is not easy
• Cleaning is not easy

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Different Types of Sheds on a Dairy Farm

A well-planned dairy farm requires several specialized sheds for different categories of animals and operations:

Milk Room Requirements

• For larger dairies (400-700 litres production capacity): Room size 3.7m x 5m plus an additional 0.37 m² for every 40 litres of milk production.
• For smaller dairy units (below 100 litres): A room of 3.75m x 3m is sufficient for storing milk and concentrate feed.

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Ventilation Requirements

Proper ventilation in cattle sheds is critical for removing excess heat, moisture, and noxious gases (ammonia, carbon dioxide). Key ventilation considerations:

• Ridge ventilation: Open ridge along the roof top allows hot air to escape upward naturally.
• Side ventilation: Keeping the lower portion of side walls open (especially in tropical areas) allows cross-ventilation.
• Minimum ceiling height: 175 cm in areas with medium and heavy rainfall; 220 cm in dry areas.
• Spacing between sheds: At least 30 feet or twice the height of the building to ensure adequate air circulation.
• In hot climates, additional cooling measures like fans, foggers, and tree shade around the shed are recommended.
• The north-south orientation of sheds maximizes cross-ventilation from prevailing winds while minimizing direct solar heat gain.

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Temperature-Humidity Index (THI)

THI is a combined measure of temperature and humidity used to assess heat stress in dairy cattle. It is directly related to the Thermo-neutral Zone and is an important concept for housing design in tropical India.

Formula:

THI = 0.72 × (T_db + T_wb) + 40.6

Where T_db = dry bulb temperature (°C) and T_wb = wet bulb temperature (°C).

Housing design implications:

• Roof insulation, ridge ventilation, foggers, and fans are used to keep THI within safe limits
• A 1-unit rise in THI above 72 reduces daily milk yield by approximately 0.2–0.4 kg per cow
• White/reflective roof surfaces reduce roof surface temperature significantly in summer

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Insurance

• Always have a insurance for your animals. Livestock insurance protects farmers against financial losses due to death of animals from disease, accidents, or natural calamities.
• Generally the insurance premium is 5% of animal cost at market/commercial rate. For example, if a cow is valued at Rs. 50,000, the annual insurance premium would be approximately Rs. 2,500.
• Under government-subsidised schemes (e.g., National Livestock Mission, state schemes), premiums can be as low as 1.5–3% for small and marginal farmers — the government bears the remaining subsidy.
• The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and National Livestock Mission are the primary central government schemes providing livestock insurance support.

References & Sources

1

G.C. Banerjee: A Textbook of Animal Husbandry (8th ed.)Book

2

Wikipedia — Animal HusbandryWeb

3

ICAR — Norms for Livestock Housing and ManagementWeb

4

NABARD — Technical Manual on Dairy DevelopmentBook

5

NDDB — Dairy Farm Management GuidelinesWeb

6

Buffington et al. (1981) — Black Globe-Humidity Index (BGHI) for Dairy Cows, Trans. ASAE 24(3)Book

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Summary Cheat Sheet