268 HOUSE-FEEDING OF CATTLE 



double stalls more than 7 feet 3 inches wide, even when the 

 cows are large ; for ordinary animals, 7 feet is sufficient ; and 

 for Ayrshires, 6 feet. In stalls too wide, animals turn some 

 way round, and drop their excrement on the bed of their 

 stall-companions. Six feet is long enough for the largest 

 stall, with 2 feet 6 inches of additional space in front for a 

 manger to hold fodder. When the stall is too long the 

 animal lies down in its droppings, and becomes matted with 

 dung on the thighs and legs. The bottom of the manger 

 (or feeding trough of glazed earthenware, say 18 inches 

 wide) should be placed on the surface, or an inch or two 

 below the level of the stall, so that it will not interfere with 

 the animal in rising, or prevent the head from resting com- 

 fortably during sleep. The bottom ought to slope towards 

 the beast, so that cake when given may be within easy reach, 

 to prevent the animal from trying to place its fore-feet in the 

 trough. The space beyond the trough provides room for 

 bulky fodder, which is liable otherwise to work down under 

 the fore-feet. 



Ventilation is of paramount importance, and can be 

 secured by an arrangement of holes in the walls near the 

 floor level, together with openings in the roof. Where the 

 heads are close to the wall, it is well to have a IJ-inch drain 

 pipe through it, low down between the cows in each double 

 stall, and inclining upward, so that the current of cold air 

 passes over them. 



Boxes (each 10 feet square, to hold one) are best for all 

 kinds of stock except young " stores," and might be more 

 generally adopted if it were not that the expense is great, 

 owing to the amount of surface area taken up. Litter (cut, 

 if convenient, to lengths of 6 or 8 inches) is given to each 

 animal in a box, at the rate of 20 Ibs. per day, while for 

 those kept in open yards a sufficient amount is 40 Ibs. each. 

 In a byre it is not positively necessary to allow any, although 

 cattle keep rather cleaner behind with it than without it, 

 and if properly attended to it also protects the leg joints of 

 heavy cattle from injury on the floor. 



Open Sheds, with uncovered courts, sometimes designated 

 " Reeds," may be 1st, Large, sufficient to accommodate ten, 

 twelve, or more animals ; 2nd, Small (called " Hummels " in 

 some parts), to contain from two to four animals in each. 



