EVALUATION OF SOME ZOOHYGIENIC PARAMETERS IN A SEMI-OPEN FREE-STALL DAIRY BARN
2012
Dimova, V., Thracian University, Stara Zagora (Bulgaria) | Mitev, J., Thracian University, Stara Zagora (Bulgaria) | Miteva, T., Thracian University, Stara Zagora (Bulgaria) | Popova, J., Thracian University, Stara Zagora (Bulgaria) | Vasilev, N., Thracian University, Stara Zagora (Bulgaria)
The aim of the present research was to evaluate some of most important zoohygienic indicators on the basis of a preliminary technical and technological layout of a semi-open free-stall dairy barn for housing of 74 cows. The study was performed on a large dairy barn with longitudinal sidewalls replaced by retractable curtains, with three rows of cubicles (one outer row and one inner double row) located on one side of an external feeding alley, and manure cleaning system using electrically driven delta scrapers. The latter move the manure from alleys to a transverse collecting channel located in one end of the barn. By means of a back-and-forth conveyer, the manure is transferred to an earthen manure collecting pit to the south part of the barn and by an inclined conveyor belt, entered directly into an adjacently located solid manure storage facility. Feed is dispensed by a feed wagon (mixer) on the periphery of the feed alley, lined with terracotta pots. The milking is done in a 2x4 herringbone-type milking parlour. The investigated modern half-open large three-row dairy barn for free rearing of 74 dairy cows provided a technological solution for ensuring the comfort of animals according to the following zoohygienic parameters: relative built-up area, built-up volume, drinking space width and lighting parameters. The evaluated technological layout of a large barn with curtain longitudinal sidewalls, perpendicularly located milking parlour with machinery and sanitary rooms, offices, parturition room created good preconditions for animal housing, suitable for newly constructed barns or modernization of dairy cattle farms for 70-80 cows in Bulgaria.
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