07/06/2025
RECOMMENDED ZERO GRAZING HOUSING PLAN FOR SMALL-SCALE FARMERS.
The following is the recommended housing plan for a small-scale zero grazing unit. The cubicle of a dairy cow shed has three distinct areas:
1. The resting and sleeping cubicle or compartment.
2. The cattle walking or manure places
3. The cattle forage, feeding and watering place.
1. The resting and sleeping cubicle or compartment.
Each animal has its compartment or sleeping place. Separation between compartments is done by wooden rails or posts.
The floor of the house can be constructed from ordinary soil from the farm. Soil is much cheaper and comfortable for the animal than concrete or stones. The soil can be replaced if dirty or worn out. The floor of the sleeping place is raised 25 cm above the level of walking and manuring passage.
The recommended standard width is 4ft (1.22 meters) or 120 cm and standard length of 7ft (2.13 m) or 210 cm. The cubicle should not be too long or too wide or the floor will get dirty and consequently also the animals.
The cubicle is of the right size if the droppings fall on the walking and manuring and not on the floor of the resting and sleeping compartment. For heifers the length and width of the cow cubicle should be reduced by moving the neck control posts towards the manuring and walking passage and by fitting another side wall into the cubicle.
Provide a roof over the resting and sleeping compartment to provide shade and to prevent the area from getting wet and dirty.
2. The cattle walking or manure places
This should be constructed solidly with concrete because the area is used heavily by animals. Mix cement, sand, and ballast in the ration of 1:2:3. The floor should slope towards the end of the building where manure is stored in a pit about 3-5m away from the stable.
3. The feeding and watering place.
Construct troughs for feeding and drinking water on the opposite side of the sleeping and resting compartment along the walking manuring passage.
