Housing, Care and Management of Livestock
Housing systems and space
The exam tests loose versus tie-stall housing, floor space, ventilation, drainage and calf management. Questions often ask for a shed calculation or the first care of a newborn calf.
Core rules and concepts
- Loose housing gives animals freedom and is common for buffaloes; tie-stall housing saves space but demands more labour.
- Approximate floor space: milch cow 4–5 m², buffalo 5–6 m², calf 1.5–2 m²; add circulation and feeding space.
- Floors should be non-slippery, with a gentle slope to drains; wet floors cause foot rot and mastitis.
- Ventilation removes heat, ammonia and moisture; overstocking defeats it.
- Colostrum within the first hour, 10% of body weight in the first day, then gradual transition to milk.
- Calf care includes dehorning, identification, clean bedding and separation from adults.
Worked example
A shed for 20 buffaloes at 5.5 m² each needs 20×5.5=110 m². Add 20% for circulation and feeding: 110×1.2=132 m². If the shed is only 100 m², it is overcrowded even if the manger length seems adequate. The reasoning uses per-animal space plus a circulation allowance.
Traps that cost marks
Do not use dairy-cow space for buffaloes without adjustment. Do not delay colostrum. Do not ignore drainage or ventilation. Do not house calves with adult animals. Do not calculate space from wall length alone.