Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-05-21
Barn Ventilation.
HEALTH AND LONGEVITY OF COWS MORE
IMPORTANT THAN BIG MILK FLOW.

We see q great deal written about
barn ventilation, tuberculosis, etc.
When we know of men who have lost
practically their whole herd of fine
COWS, which have been kept in "sweat
box stables" it sets one to thinking
whether such conditions are necessary
| to profitable milk production. There Is
probably little doubt that COWS kept in
these very warm tie-ups, where 80 to
so head are stabbed together, will, while
they last, produce some more milk than
| if the temperature was quite materially
reduced, and fresh air admitted freely.
1t seems impossible that cows can long
remain sound in body under the con-
ditions existing on many farms whose
owners are forcing the cows to the
limit by feeding heavily of concentrates
and housing so closely.
l have entered many stables where
large herds are kept, and when you step
in you have the same sensation as when
stepping into wash-room where the
room is filed with steam. The humidi-
ty and excessive heat from the animals
is sitting. In such stables generally the
stock is watered in the tie-up, thus pre-
venting them from getting breath of
fresh air even while drinking. The cat
tie are kept fat, and look sleek, are
forced as long as they can stand the
pressure, and are then sold for beef,
or shipped away when fresh at a big
price, having the appearance of promis-
ing dairy animals. Is 1t any wonder
whole herds are tuberculous?
| wonder how much of this hothouse
treatment is necessary for the farmers
best interest. believe cows, like hens,
can be adjusted to a much lower range
of temperature, prove profitable, and
thus be kept healthy and last two or
three times as long. When we were
weighing our milk daily figured after
deducting grain cost our cows gave us
1858 so each, which is a very fair average.
Our tie-up is ventilated by cracks in
boarding in front of cows, and around
doors and windows, and in winter water
will freeze during the night, and in very
severe windy weather dressing will
freeze a little in the gutter. Many
would throw up their hands in horror at
the thought of freezing in the tie-up but
the COWS continue giving milk four aver
age for Jerseys when figured up being
just under 5000 pounds per cow which
believe is considered good for picked
up job-lot of that breed, and grain ra-
ton of only about seven pounds per day
fed during stabling season and none
during pasture season.)
We do not want to 60 back to condi-
tions of 80 years ago, when many stables
were little more than wind break, but
| believe lower temperature is not
seriously detrimental to milk flow, and
surely the health of the cows, and a
longer period of usefulness would COM
pensate for slightly lower production
during the cold season; and if one had a
herd free from tuberculosis the chances
would be favorable for keeping it so un-
der the fresh air treatment.
One or two farm papers are now rec
ommending the insertion of muslin or
cloth curtains in place of the sash in the
tie-up, similar to those recommended
for poultry houses, and do not see why
this would not work well, as cheap
substitute for more elaborate system
of ventilation. 1t would get some fresh
air in anyway which in many instances
could not but improve existing con-
ditions. OF course, there may be draw
backs to the system not discoverable un-
til the thing is tried out. 1t is system
easy of application by someone whose
cows are painting for fresh air.-D. j.
Ryther in New England Farmer.