Innovative Housing Strategies for Maximizing Livestock Productivity
Hari Ram Meena*1, Manvendra singh2, Tushar arya3 and Rahul goswami4
Department of Animal Genetics & Breeding
College of Veterinary & Animal Science, Navania, Udaipur
Rajasthan University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Bikaner (Raj.)
*1 PhD scholar, and 2,3,4PG Scholar (Animal Genetics & Breeding)
Abstract
India has the largest livestock population throughout the country. In 20th Livestock Census, the total Livestock population is 536.76 million in the country in which there are about 36.04%-Cattle, 27.74%-Goat, 20.47%-Buffaloes, 13.83%-Sheep, 1.69%-Pigs, and Mithun, Yaks, Horses, Ponies, Mules, Donkeys and Camels taken together contribute 0.23% of the total livestock.
Livestock housing is essential for ensuring animal welfare, health, and productivity. In India’s diverse agro-climatic zones, adaptable housing systems are necessary to meet regional needs. This article compares loose housing and conventional barn systems, highlighting their structural, economic, and welfare implications. Loose housing offers lower costs and greater animal mobility, while conventional barns provide better disease control and individual care.
Introduction
Livestock housing plays a vital role in boosting animal health, comfort, and productivity. In India’s diverse climates, no single system fits all. Loose housing allows animals to move freely and lowers costs, while conventional barns offer better disease control and individual care. Factors like space, orientation, and hygiene are key to creating a stress-free environment. Well-planned housing not only improves animal welfare but also increases output—milk, meat, and more. This article looks at practical, region-specific housing solutions that balance cost, comfort, and efficiency, helping farmers make smart choices for healthier, more productive livestock.
Why Shelter Matters for Animals
convert the energy in feed into products that can be utilized by human beings.
- such as milk
- Eggs
- meat
- wool
- hair
- hides and skins
- draught power and manure (fertilizer).
Five freedoms of animals
- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury, and disease
- Freedom to express normal behaviour
- Freedom from fear and distress
An Overview of Housing Systems and Structures for Farm Animals
- Single housing system may not be wholly suitable for all agro-climatic zones in India
- The most widely prevalent practice in this country is to tie the cows with rope on a Katcha floor
- scieinfically/ for better productivity: 2 types
- loose housing
- conventional dairy barn
Loose housing
- Animals are kept loose in an open paddock in group (40-50) throughout the day and night except at the time of milking, treatment, etc.
- Common shelter is provided along one side of open paddock under which animals can retire when it is very hot or cold or during rains.
- Common feed manger and water tank along with covered standing space is provided and concentrates.
Loose housing
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
| v Cost of construction is cheaper.
v Future expansion is possible. v Move freely – sufficient exercise. v The animal can be kept clean. v Common feeding and watering v Oestrus detection is easy. v less prone to fire hazards to animals v At least 10-15 percent more stock than standard can be accommodated for shorter period. |
v It is not suitable for temperate Himalayan region and heavy rainfall areas.
v It requires more floor space. v There is competition for feed. v Attention of individual animal is not possible. v A separate milking barn is needed for milking of animals.
|
Conventional barn/Stanchion barn
- Animals are confined together on a platform and secured at neck by stanchions or neck chain.
- The animals are fed as wells as milked in the same barn.
- Completely covered with roofs and the sidewalls are closed with windows or ventilator located at suitable places to get more ventilation and lighting
- It is applicable for temperate and heavy rainfall region.
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
| v The animals and men caring for animals are less exposed to harsh environment.
v The animals can be kept clean. Diseases are better controlled.
v Individual care can be given.
v Separate milking barn is not required. |
v Cost of construction is more.
v Future expansion is difficult.
v Not suitable for hot and humid climatic conditions |
Generally conventional barn system animals are arranged in a single row if the numbers of animal are less, say 10 or in a double row if the herd is a large one.
In double row: (Head to head system and Tail to tail system)
| Head to head system | Tail to tail system |
 |
 |
Head to head system
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
| v Cows make a better showing for visitors when heads are together.
v The cows feel easier to get into their stalls. v Sun rays shine in the gutter where they are needed most. v Feeding of cows is easier; both rows can be fed without back tracking. v It is better for narrow barns Head to head |
v change of spreading of respiratory related diseases
v Feeding of animals is easy |
Tail to tail system
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
| v In cleaning and milking the cows, the wide middle alley is of great advantage.
v Lesser danger of spread of diseases from animal to animal. v Cows can always get more fresh air from outside. v The manager can inspect a greater number of milkmen while milking. v Any sort of minor disease or any change in the hind quarters of the animals can be detected quickly and even automatically. |
v Spreading of diseases through digestive and reproductive system is high.
v Drainage channel is not exposed to sunlight. v Feeding of animals is laborious. |
Orientation of animal house
- Long axis:East to West, the paddock side facing the north to get direct sunlight during winter and to prevent entry of direct sunlight into the shed during other seasons.
- north-south orientation, the sun will strike every part of the floor area
- In regions where temperatures average 30°C or more for up to five hours per day during some period of the year, the east-west orientation is most beneficial.
Floor space requirements
| Type of animals | Floor space requirement (m2) | Maximum No. of animals / pen | Height of the shed (cm) | |
| Covered area | Open area | |||
| Bulls | 12.0 | 24.0 | 1 | 175 cm. in medium and heavy rain fall and 220 cm. in dry areas. |
| Cows | 3.5 | 7.0 | 50 | |
| Buffaloes | 4.0 | 8.0 | 50 | |
| Down – calver | 12.0 | 12.0 | 1 | |
| Young – calves | 1.0 | 2.0 | 30 | |
| Old – calves | 2.0 | 4.0 | 30 | |
Feeding and watering space requirements
| Type of animal | Space per animal (cm) | Total manger length in a pen for 100 animals (cm) | Total water tank length in a pen for 100 animals (cm) |
| Adult cattle & buffaloes | 60 – 75 | 6000 – 7500 | 600 – 750 |
| Calves | 40 – 50 | 4000 – 5000 | 400 – 500 |
Sanitation of livestock house
Sunlight is the most potent and powerful sanitizer which destroy most of the disease producing organism.
Sanitizer: bleaching powder, lodine and lodophor, sodium carbonate, Washing soda, Slaked Lime (Calcium hydroxide), Quick Lime (Calcium oxide) and phenol.
Procedure
- Remove the dung, bedding materials and urine from the floor – shovel and basket
- Empty the water trough and scrape its sides and bottom with the help of a floor brush.
- Wash the water through with clean water and white wash it with the help of lime mixture once a week.
- Scrape the floor with a brush and broom and wash with water.
- Clean and disinfect the splashes of dung on the side walls, railing, and stanchions.
- Remove the cobwebs periodically with the help of a wall brush. Allow adequate sunlight to enter in to the shed.
- Spray insecticides at regular intervals especially during the rainy season (Fly season).
- Whitewash the walls periodically by mixing insecticides to eliminate ticks and mites living in cracks and crevices.
References
BAHS (Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics). (2023). Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries. Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. http://www.dahd.nic.in. Retrieved 15 July, 2024.
DHADF, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi Annual Report, 2022-23.
Livestock census (2019) Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying http://dahd.nic.in/about- us/division/statistics. Retrieved 15 July, 2024.
