CHAPTER XIV 



COW-BYRES 



One of the most important buildings on the farm is the cow-byre. 

 Main Types. — Two principal types may be mentioned, viz. : — 



1. The single byre. 



2. The double byre. 



In the former the cows are ranged in a single row, in the latter in a 

 double row. The cost of construction per cow accommodated is less for 

 a double than for a single byre, since, in the case of a double byre, one 

 central passage serves both rows of cows. 



Double cow-byres may be arranged as follows, with 



(a) One central combined cleaniug, milking, and feeding passage, 



the cows standing with their heads to the side-walls as 

 shown in Figs. 127 and 128. 



(b) One central cleaning and milking passage, and two feeding 



passages, one along each side-wall. The animals stand in 

 two rows facing away from each other (see Figs. 129 and 

 130); or 



(c) One central feeding passage, and two cleaning and milking 



passages, one along each side-wall. The animals stand in 

 two rows, head to head. 



In designing a byre the following objects should be kept in view : — 



1. Cleanliness is essential from the point of view of the health of the 

 cows, as well as of the purity of the milk produced. 



Milking and cleaning passages should not be less than 4' 6" wide 

 for single byres, and 6 feet for double byres (i.e. where there is a row 

 of cows along each side of the passage in question). 



In the climate of South Africa cows can, all the year round, be 

 taken outside for watering purposes ; no elaborate system of water 

 service to each stall is therefore necessary, though, if circumstances 

 permit, it is probably desirable. 



