Unit 7
Farm Animals Housing
7.1 Significance of farm animal house
A good housing system has a significant role in profitable animal production.
Provide some environmental controls1
Control of diseases and external parasites1
Efficient use of feed and labor1
Safeguard against predators1
7.2 Types of farm animal housing
several types of housing are available for farm animals. the type of animal, production system,
climate condition, local tradition, availability of building materials and economics are important
considerations while selecting the type of housing system.
7.2.1. Conventional barns or houses1
in this housing system animals are kept in constructed completely roofed1and complete wall
with windows or ventilators at suitable places of the house.
animals and theire keare workers less exposed to adverse weather conditions.1
Barns remain hygiene and disease prevalence is less.
are suitable in heavy rainfall and temperate climate.
It is common for dairy cattle, beef cattle1and deep litter poultry breeding.
7.2.2. Loose housing
In this types of houssing
animals are allowed to move freely and have free access over the whole area.
Animal are kept in groups depends on type, line of production, age and size of farm.
provide more comfort and1Self-feeding is practiced.
less bedding will be required and less manure will have to be removed.
is very suitable for tropical climate (most parts of Ethiopia).
All types of livestock can be housed and managed under loose housing.
It is cheaper to construct, easier to expand and flexible in utility1
7.2.3. Free range system
It is a system of housing by leaving stock animals in large natural or cultivated pasture
land1area.1
It allows farm animals to run free1
It should be an attendant moving with animals to protect them from predators and
thievery. 1
It is suited to animals that are not handled daily, such as beef cattle and fattening sheep.
It enable farm animals’ greater freedom to express their natural behaviour.1
are raised with little or no supplementation of prepared feed. 1
their productivity1is limited and they can attacked by predators. 1
1
It is common for sheep, goats, chicken, beef cattle2and etc.
7.2.4. Modern farms
Depending on the weather condition the animals can be kept in full or half walled house in a
separate pen/enclosure. 2
The investment cost per animal is more when compared to the conventional operations.
Productivity is better in this system.
Battery cages like enriched cages, and hens-aviary systems for egg laying chicken.
enriched cages, hens-Aviary systems of breedings are common.
Enriched cages are cages which are stacked on top of one another in row upon row, but they
also provide limited facilities for nesting, perching and scratching.
Hens-aviary systems (so-called multi-tier system) the tiers are the most typical feature of the
spacious character of the aviary and provide living space at several levels. The system allow
hens to disperse across several levels.2
Farm Animal Welfare Issues
Animal welfare is the well-being of non-human animals.
There are five freedoms of animal welfare. These are:
Freedom from thirst and hunger,
Freedom from discomfort by providing adequate shelter,
Freedom from disease, pain, or injury,
Freedom from distress and fear,
Freedom to exhibit natural behaviors.2
7.3 Guidelines for site selection and house construction
7.3.1. Guidelines for Site Selection 2
The following factors should be considered when selecting site for farm animal housing.2
Topography and drainage2
Feed, water and veterinary services2
Accessibility2
Distance from residences2
Guarantee health of animals2
Size2of snimals
7.3.2. Guidelines for Construction of Animal House 2
Animal housing should be constructed in the way it can offer a maximum comfort &
floor should be made of concrete with proper gradient to facilitate drainage.
walls should protect farm animals from drafts.
roof needs to be high enough to release excess heat, moisture and pollutants.
ventilation system should be adequate to prevent dampness.
minimum investment should be put by utilizing the locally available materials for
construction of roof, floor and walls without compromising the comfort of animals.
