266 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



venient a form of tie as the swing stanchion and the cow is allowed too 

 much freedom to move back and forth, standing too much of the time 

 in the gutter. The stall partitions, in this group, consist of swinging 

 frames made of gas pipe threaded and screwed together at the junction 

 points; these frame like gates cannot be kept tight at the joints, hinges 

 or fasteners. On the opposite side of this barn there is a row of 

 mangers fitted for swing stanchions, but with very short stall divisions 

 extending back only two feet from the bottom of the manger and slop- 

 ing up toward the stanchion at the top. These short partitions do 

 not prevent the cows from crowding each other or moving sideways 

 away from the milker, thus causing difficulties. The manger in this 

 row of stalls is only three inches high above the manger bottom at 

 the back, and feed is easily thrown out by the cows. Stall dimensions 

 etc., were also commented on in individual descriptions of the stables. 



CALF STANCHIONS AND MANGERS. 



\ 



Figure 36 is intended to illustrate what we now consider to be the best 

 form of combined stanchion and manger in use at M. A. C. for cnlf 

 feeding. The principle of the stanchion is not new; its use dates back 

 a number of decades, but the especial application and adjustment of 

 the one hereafter described presents some new features. This particular 

 model is produced as the result of three years' trial, having undergone 

 several changes since the first one was installed. This appliance can 

 be adjusted so as to accommodate the calf from birth up to twelve 

 months of age. The calves are confined in the stanchions at feeding 

 time only. After the calf has been secured the milk bucket is placed 

 in the manger; when the milk is consumed the bucket is removed and 

 ensilage and meal supplied, followed by hay. If individual records are 

 being secured the calf remains fastened until the roughage is all con- 

 sumed, but if not it is freed when the latter is supplied. By using this 

 stanchion method of feeding the maximum number of calves can be 

 kept in a minimum amount of space in a clean, healthy, thrifty condi- 

 tion, providing they are given access to outdoor yardage. The average 

 size of the four calf pens in the dairy barn, including manger space, is 

 15 feet three inches by 12 feet 3 inches. Each pen accommodates eight 

 calves up to five or six months of age. The average size of two pens 

 in the grade herd barn, accommodating six calves each, is 9 feet 9 inches 

 by 14 feet 10 inches, and three pens occupied by five each are 10 V2 feet by 

 11 feet 9 inches. Of course, in all cases except one the calves have 

 access to yardage at will. 



Referring again to figure 3G for detailed description, the bottom of 

 the manger, 18 inches wide, consisting of 2 inch hemlock, is G inches 

 above the floor. As the front of the manger is built on rather than against 

 the bottom it leaves the inside bottom measurement of the manger 10 

 inches. The side of the manger over which the calf's neck is placed in 

 feeding is 8 inches above the bottom, one-half of this distance being 

 taken up by a 2x4, the balance by the bottom framework of the stanchion 

 resting on it. The to]) part of the manger over which the calf feeds is 



