Fundamentals of Livestock Housing for Welfare, Productivity, and Sustainability

Muhammad Farhan Ghazy

Animal Scientist

5 min read
13/12/2024
Fundamentals of Livestock Housing for Welfare, Productivity, and Sustainability

Fundamentals of Livestock Housing – Why It Matters and How to Do It Right! 

We have discussed sustainability before, and now it is important to focus on implementing these methods. Sustainable production lies in the welfare of our livestock, which must be maintained to keep them productive. 

So, we know the importance of keeping farm animals comfortable and productive, but how does housing fit into the equation? Let's put it this way: "Livestock housing is more than just a place for them to sleep; it's an investment in their health, happiness, and your own profits." 

Farmers must think through and learn every detail required in their unique farm conditions. Then, by practicing proper livestock housing, farmers can ensure our beloved livestock smiles every season and are protected from harsh weather, predators, and diseases. 

In this article, we'll discuss the essentials of livestock housing, explain the "why" and "how," and show you how the right setup can improve your animals' welfare and bottom line. Let's dive in! 

What Makes Livestock Housing Considered Appropriate? 

The basics are to fulfill the needs of our livestock, make it balanced as if they are in the optimum environment for their species, and, of course, think about the long term. How we make it sustainable is decided upon the specific situation in one farm. 

In general, there are 4 things that you need to pay attention to: 

Ventilation: 

Keeps the air fresh and reduces respiratory issues. Example for chicken, you may see them experience heat stress where they are gasping for air, or even sickness that is not easy to handle. The thing is that once the ventilation fails, not only one or two birds are affected, but a big part of them.. 

Space: 

It gives animals enough room to move, rest, and socialize. In big and small ruminants, when the space is too small, they can't move easily and tend to hurt themselves (e.g., stepping on each other, being often pushed to the wall, etc.). The minimum size for each species differs, but at least we have to calculate their movement and area for resting. 

Safety:

Imagine that some stranger gets into your land; your animals also need protection, right? That being said, safety here is not just about security from injuries but also from unwanted guests. Make a wall, barrier, barn, or even electric wire to protect from predators and make it comfortable and safe enough to reduce the risk of injuries. 

Sanitation: 

The most fatal factor for livestock production in housing is hygiene. Once you go bad, returning to the optimum condition is tough, especially if you are using materials like wood; the bacteria will stay there until we sanitize them. Ensuring our livestock housing is clean is a must, and it's better to use materials that are easy to use. In chickens, dirty housing can cause respiratory problems because of the ammonia in the bedding, and in cows, the waste will swarm all over their body, making it hard to clean; it's also hard to make sure the milk produced is not waste contained. 

Get these basics right, and you're already ahead in providing a healthier environment for your livestock. 

Housing Types: Choosing What's Best for Your Animals 

Not all livestock are the same, and their housing shouldn't be either. Check this out: 

Cattle: They need well-ventilated barns or open shelters with good feeding and watering space for oxygen intake. A suitable cage for big ruminants like cattle is an open shelter where they can move freely and get as much ventilation as they like, but it's unsuitable in bad weather. We need to think thoroughly about our environment since it matters directly to the well-being of our livestock. Investing more in an open-sided single-slope roof shed or loose housing will be good enough for most situations. 

Poultry: Thrive in deep-litter systems, free-range setups, or battery cages for controlled conditions. The best option is a closed-house system where farmers can set the entire environment for chickens, starting from temperature, ventilation, and even the day-night cycle. Though it has drawbacks regarding operational costs and initial investment costs, it can be said that this guarantees a higher success rate of broiler production. 

Sheep and Goats: You are advised to prefer seasonal shelters with pasture access for grazing. Some livestock farmers in Indonesia use flock cages for sheep and individuals for goats. It's because of their nature where sheep flock can be much more than goats, and goat is often hard to tame, especially if the farmers just buy them, but again, it all comes back to the kind of sheep or goat that you have. 

You can calculate your and your animals' needs to pick the right type depending on your animals, your budget, and your farm’s unique needs. Farms placed in a mountain are different from those in a big city. 

Why Sustainability in Housing Matters

Livestock housing doesn’t just impact your animals; it’s part of the bigger picture. Consider integrating solar panels to cut energy costs or using rainwater harvesting for cleaning and drinking water. These eco-friendly approaches are better for the environment and can save you money in the long run. 

References

Costantino, A., Fabrizio, E., & Calvet, S. (2021). The role of climate control in monogastric animal farming: the effects on animal welfare, air emissions, productivity,  health, and energy use. Applied Sciences, 11(20), 9549.  https://doi.org/10.3390/app11209549 

SAEED, H., HAIDER, M., ANSARI, T., FATIMA, A., KHALID, A., Gilani, M., … &  SAKHAWAT, A. (2023). Role of animal behaviour and welfare in livestock production  and management. Biological and Clinical Sciences Research Journal, 2023(1), 442.  https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v2023i1.442 

González-Salcedo, L. O., Marmolejo-Villanueva, F. A., Quiroz-Morán, D. A.,  Ospina-Trujillo, K. A., & Malagón-Manrique, R. (2020). Monitoring and characterization  of the thermal environment of special-use buildings. Ciencia E Ingeniería Neogranadina,  30(2), 81-95. https://doi.org/10.18359/rcin.4435 

Alemayehu, G., Berhe, T., Gelan, E., Mokria, M., Jaldessa, J., Molu, J., … & Doyle, R.  (2022). Animal welfare knowledge, attitudes, and practices among livestock holders in  ethiopia. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.1006505 

Quintana, Á. R., Seseña, S., Sigler, A. I. G., & Sánchez, R. A. (2020). Factors affecting  levels of airborne bacteria in dairy farms: a review. Animals, 10(3), 526.  https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10030526 

Bartkowiak, A. M. (2021). Energy-saving and low-emission livestock buildings in the  concept of a smart farming. Journal of water and land development, 51(10-12),  272–278. https://doi.org/10.24425/jwld.2021.139935

Further reading

Vitamins as Alternatives to Antibiotics in Livestock: Benefits and Risks

Brewer's Grain as a Sustainable Feed Supplement: Reducing Methane Emissions in Goats and Cattle

Animal Welfare Standards: A Farmer's Guide to Balancing Ethical Practices & Market Access

Training Livestock Farmers for Sustainability and Food Security

Ventilation in Broiler Breeder Farms: Enhancing Poultry Welfare and Productivity

Strategies to Improve Chicken Welfare Through Enhanced Free Range Systems