12 BULLETIN 736, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
The weights of the bedding used in each stable were recorded daily 
for 3 months during the trial, and the average was taken as the basis 
of comparison. The data thus obtained showed that the cows in the 
open shed required a daily average of 8.3 pounds, as compared with 
4.94 pounds for the cows kept in the closed barn, or an increase of 
68 per cent. Cornstalks, which at times were used for bedding the 
stock in the open shed, were so nearly decomposed when the manure 
was hauled to the field that they gave no trouble in loading on the 
spreader or in being evenly distributed on the land. No doubt other 
kinds of coarse bedding can be used with better results in open sheds 
than in closed barns, which is one advantage that tends to offset the 
extra cost of bedding in the open shed when only straw is used. On 
damp, rainy days more bedding was needed than in dry weather. 
Regardless of climatic conditions, however, the more space allowed 
each cow the less bedding will be required. 
Good drainage is necessary for success with any open shed. With- 
out it the quantity of bedding required is certain to be increased and 
the comfort of the cows seriously lessened. Water from the sur- 
rounding ground must flow away from, not toward, the shed. Eave 
spouts to carry the water from the roof of the shed to a place where 
it will readily flow away are provided for most sheds. 
HEALTH AND CONTENTMENT OF THE COWS. 
There seemed to be little, if any, difference in the amount of actual 
sickness observed under either open-shed or closed-barn conditions. 
In the closed barn the animals sometimes would get "big knees" from 
kneeling or falling on the concrete platform. This trouble was not 
observed when the open shed was used. Of the 21 cows used during 
the 3 years of the' investigation two had their hips "knocked down" 
while in the open shed. Very probably the injuries were the result 
of being knocked against the side of the shed or the feed rack by 
stronger, more greedy, and aggressive cows. 
In general, little difference could be noted in the contentment of the 
cows under either open-shed or closed-barn conditions. Some of the 
animals appeared to be more contented in the barn stalls; others 
appeared to be more at ease in the open shed, while still others seemed 
to have no preference. Under open-shed conditions the cows had 
more freedom. They could He down and get up with ease, and could 
pick a clean place on which to he whenever they chose. For them 
fresh air was abundant. Inasmuch as the closed barn used in the 
investigation was a modern, well-ventilated structure, no observa- 
tions were needed on the subject of ventilation. In many of our 
poorly ventilated dairy barns, however, the impure air would doubt- 
less be an important factor in determining the comparative merits of 
the two systems. 
