The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-04-05
Housing of Cattle.

It is question whether cattle thrive
best in sheds with yards, in stalls or in
boxes. The determination of this ques-
ton would settle the problem of construc
ton of barns; for if more profit were
certainly derived by the farmer in feed
ing his cattle in sheds with yards than in
stalls or boxes, not only would no more
stalls and boxes be erected. but those in
use would be converted into sheds; and
this determination would so materially
change the form of barns as to abolish
confined Enclosures, embraced within
quadrangles, and throw open apartments
to the influence of the sun at the only
season these are required-viz., in win
ter. Some facts have been decided re-
garding the comparative effects of sheds
and stalls upon cattle. Cattle are much
cleaner in sheds than in stalls. NO doubt
they might be kept clean in stalls; but
not being so, there must be some obstacle
to cleanliness incidental to stall manage
ment; and it consists, We presume, in the
attendant finding himself more unable to
keep beasts clean in stalls than in sheds !;
otherwise the facts are not easily to be &C
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 stall, they must lie
down upon what may be beneath them.
There is another advantage derived from
sheds with yards-the hair of cattle never
scalds off the skin, nor becomes short
and smooth, but remains long and messy,
and is licked over, and washed clean by
rain, until it is naturally cast in the spring;
and this advantage is felt by cattle when
sent to market in winter, where they with
stand wet and cold better than those which
have been kept tied up in stalls. A third
advantage is, that cattle from sheds can
travel. the road without injury to their
feet, being accustomed to move about.
1t is said in favor of stalls that they
accommodate more cattle on the same
space, and are therefore less 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 il as
little that more beasts are put into such
places than should be-but we have great
doubts that it will cost more to accOmmo.
date a given number of cattle in sheds
with yarde than in buildings with stalls;
because beds can be constructed in a
temporary form, at moderate outlay,
whereas harm with stalls cannot be
formed that rate, and, even in the more
costly farms of roofs and walls, the she'd
dings require, comparatively 10 barn, q
smaller stretch of roof; and it is we'll
known that it is the roof, 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 roof, boxes are net so heating 70
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 yards, and their skin
is never in so fresh state. Theoretically,
it is maintained that cattle must thrive
better when under cover in warm place,
than where the atmospheric cold carries
off animal heat. Exposure to cold. and
especially to draughtG, must rctard the
progressive growth of cattle; but in
properly appointed sheds they are never
go exposed, being sheltered around, and
having a comfortable shed at their CON-
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 COM
partnership, SO as to have liberty to lick
one another with that health giving or
gan, the cows rough-surfaced tongue;
and without doubt, the milk and the beef
of such cattle is in the most wholesome
and perfect state.-Prajrje Farmer.