BARNS FOR WISCONSIN DAIRY FARMS 21 



stalls can be two feet when used largely at milking time to 

 save time in walking around long rows of stanchions. 



SHALL Cows BE FACED IN OR OUT? 



Whether it is better to face cows out from, or toward a 

 center isle is an open question; good arguments can be made 

 in favor of either arrangement. One of the chief advantages 

 for having the herd face the center isle is that this arrange- 

 ment provides a central feeding alley. It, of course, is more 

 convenient to feed from one alley, especially if feeding en- 

 silage. Careful feeding is very necessary to successful dairy- 

 ing and as cattle are fed two or three times a day this point 

 deserves considerable attention. Then, again, when the cows 

 are faced in there is no danger of the direct sunlight affecting 

 the cow's eyes. This arrangement places the milkers nearest 

 the light so that they can see that the cow's udders are clean. 

 Cleaning out the manure is as easy, if a litter carrier is pro- 

 vided, as driving through the barn between two rows of 

 cows. A feed carrier can be installed running between the 

 two rows of cattle and be used to carry feed to various parts 

 of the barn. 



The advantages of having the cattle face out are : first, less 

 alley space is required, (when cattle face the center aisle the 

 back walks must be wide or the walls will be spattered with 

 manure); second, a manure spreader can be loaded in the 

 barn and hauled directly to the field, thereby saving hand- 

 ling the manure twice; third, sale cattle can be shown to bet- 

 ter advantage when facing out from the center and it is 

 claimed by some that it is easier to get cows in and out of the 

 barn with less danger of crowding. 



STALL FLOORS SHOULD BE SANITARY 



Wood floors are insanitary and last but for a very short 

 time. A good concrete floor, well drained, with a wood over- 

 lay, or well bedded, is entirely satisfactory. In constructing 

 the wood overlay (Figure 14) the boards should be laid 

 lengthwise of the stall. It should be made so as to be easily 

 removed, thus permitting cleansing. A concrete floor, to be 

 satisfactory, must be finished with a wood trowel which will 

 leave the surface rough enough to prevent the cows from 



