Loose housing system
- It is a system of housing in which animals are kept loose in an open paddock throughout the day and night except at the time of milking and treatment.
- In this system, 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 is provided and concentrates are fed at the milking time which is done in a separate milking barn or parlour in which cows are secured at milking time and are milked.
- The open paddock is enclosed by means of half walls or plain wire fences of convenient height.
Advantages
ü Cost of construction is cheaper.
ü Future expansion is possible.
ü The animals will move freely so that it will get sufficient exercise.
ü The animal can be kept clean.
ü Common feeding and watering arrangement is possible.
ü Clean milk production is possible because the animals are milked in a
separate milking barn.
ü Oestrus detection is easy.
ü At least 10-15 percent more stock than standard can be accommodated for
shorter period.
Disadvantages
ü It is not suitable for temperate Himalayan region and heavy rainfall
areas.
ü It requires more floor space.
ü There is competition for feed.
ü Attention of individual animal is not possible.
ü A separate milking barn is needed for milking of animals.