Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-15
Housing OF Cattle.


1t is a question wIBther cattle thrive
best in sheds with yaIls, in stalls or in
boxes. The determination of this CUES
ton would settle the problem of construc
ton of barns; for if more profit were
certainly derived by tn, farmer in feed
ing his cattle in sheds with yards than in
stalls or boxes, not only would no more
stalls and boxes be erectd, but those in
use would be converted into sheds; and
this determination would so materially
change the form of bans as to abolish
confined Enclosures, embraced within
quadrangles, and throw open apartments
to the influence of the sun at the only
season these are requird-viz. in win
ter. Some facts have oeen decided re-
garding the comparative effects of sheds
and stalls upon cattle. Cattle are much
cleaner in sheds than in sails NO doubt
they might be kept cleal in stalls; but
not being so, there must le some obstacle
to cleanliness incidental 10 stall manage
ment; and it consists, wepTesume, in the
attendant finding himself more unable to
keep beasts clean in stalls than in sheds;
otherwise the facts are moi easily to be ac-
counted for, for he takes no special care
to keep beasts in sheds and yards clean
Perhaps when cattle have liberty to lie
down where they please they may choose
the driest, because the most comfortable
spot; whereas, in a sail, they must lie
down upon what may DC beneath them
There is another advantage derived from
sheds with yards-the mir of cattle never
scalds off the skin, n0r becomes short
and smooth, but remains long and messy,
and is licked over, and washed clean by
rain, until it is naturall- cast in thespring;
and this advantage is hlt by cattle when
sent to market in winter, where they with
stand wet and cold bettr than those which
have been kept tied up in stalls. A third
advantage is, that CATH from sheds can
travel the road without injury to their
feet, being accustomedto move about.
1t is said in favor If stalls that they
accommodate more cattle on the same
space, and are therefore bss expensive to
erect at first than buildings without
stalls. That in given space more beasts
are accommodated in buildings with
stalls, there is no doubt-and there is as
little that more beasts are put into such
places than should be-but we have great
doubts that it will cost mere TO accommo-
date a given number OF cattle in sheds
with yards than in buildings with stalls;
because sheds can be constructed in a
temporary form, at a moderate outlay,
whereas barn with stalls cannot be
formed at that rate, and, even in the more
costly forms of roofs and walls, the she'd
dings require, comparatively to a barn,
smaller stretch of roof; and it is well
known that it is the rolf, and not the
bare walls, that CONSTITUTES the most costly
part of the barn. We believe it is the
general opinion of agriculturists that cat
tie improve quicker, or, in other words,
thrive better, in comfortable, walled-in
sheds with yards than in close buildings
with stalls
As to the comparative advantage of
feeding cattle in sheds and boxes, there is
no doubt that boxes afford much better
accommodation than stalls. Although,
under a roof, boxes euct so heating to
cattle as stalls, and they are more clearly;
but being constantly under cover, cattle
do not stand transportation as well rs
from the sheds with yaids, and their skin
IS never in so fresh a state. theoretically,
it is maintained that cattle must thrive
better when under CO yer in warm place,
than where the atmC spleric cold carries
oil animal heat. Exposure to cold. and
especially to draughts, must retard the
progressive growth of cattle; but in
properly appointed sheds thew are never
so exposed, being sheltered around, and
having comfortable she'd at their COM
mand night and day. Practically. We
cannot believe that constant heat, as in
stables with stalls, can so conduce to the
health and condition Of cattle, as when
they have fresh air, sunlight and heat; ;
rain on their skin, warmth in their sheds,
freedom from draughts. and constant CON-
partnership, so as TO have liberty to lick