Housing, Farm Layout and Routine Farm Management
This domain tests whether you can plan a functional dairy unit and run a daily routine that protects animal health, milk quality and labour efficiency.
Space and design rules
- Provide about 40 sq ft covered area per crossbred cow and 80 sq ft open paddock; buffaloes need about 50 sq ft covered and 100 sq ft open. Calves need about 20 sq ft.
- Manger length: about 2.5–3 ft per adult animal. Alley width: 4–5 ft. Water trough: accessible, clean, and at least 1 ft per 5 animals.
- Floor slope: about 1:40 to 1:60 away from the manger. Roof height: 10–12 ft for ventilation. Use dry bedding and non-slip flooring.
Farm layout
Keep the animal shed away from the dwelling, with good drainage and ventilation. Place feed store and milk room separately; keep manure pit downhill and away from drinking-water sources. Provide isolation/quarantine space and a foot bath at the entrance.
Routine management
Clean sheds twice daily, feed roughage and concentrate on a fixed schedule, provide water ad libitum, milk twice daily at regular times, and observe animals for heat, illness and injury. Record events daily.
Worked example
For 10 crossbred cows: covered area = 10 × 40 = 400 sq ft; open area = 10 × 80 = 800 sq ft; total = 1,200 sq ft. Manger length = 10 × 3 = 30 ft. A shed about 20 ft × 60 ft can accommodate this with feed and water access.
Traps
Do not slope the floor toward the manger, allow urine to collect, block ventilation, store feed with chemicals, or milk in a dirty shed.