Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 206, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1911 — Comfort for Dairy Cows Essential to Greatest Profits [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Comfort for Dairy Cows Essential to Greatest Profits

By P. H. CRANE,

Dairy Dqartaat

fain Damnify AgioAnl Ertmiw

Dairy Barn With King System of Ventilation. No Rain, Snow or Cold Winds for Cowa Kept In Buch a Barn. Purdue University Expert, merit Station Dairy Barn.

Among the many factors that have a direct influence upon the profits to be derived In the dairy business, the comfort of the cow is one of the most Important. Every dairyman should recognize this fact and make an effort to provide comfortable quarters for his cows. Good light and ventilation, and stalls with plenty of bedding, In a barn that shuts out the wind, rain and snow, are factors upon which the comfort of the cow depends. The construction of the barn Is very Important, but It Is not Imperative that a new barn be built |n order that these features providing comfort be had. A little repairing and remodeling of the old barn in many cases is sufficient to enable a general farmer to change his old bam into a respectable dairy bam. It Is very true that many things will not be ideal, as would be desired In a new bam, when remodeling Is practiced, but the expense involved must be considered when the general fanner fits himself to care for a limited number of dairy cows. The old bam that has great cracks In the weather-boarding, with occasional boards and doors tom off, should receive attention before winter weather begins.

The cold wind or dfaft that strikes the cow makes her uncomfortable and robs, from the portion of feed intended for milk production, sufficient quantities to keep up the body temperature against the cold wind that whistles through the cracks in the weather boarding. This is expensive business when feeds are as high as they are sure to be this winter. When the barn is properly repaired, making it tight on all sides, the problems of light and ventilation must be met. The matter of light should not be difficult, although such would seem to he the case If we judge from the lack of provision for this necessity In the majority of barns throughout the country. A window about 2x4 feet or one of equal area should be provided for every two cows. This Is important not only because sunlight is a powerful germicide, but also because the attendant Is enabled to do his work more easily and see when the barn Is clean.

The problem of ventilation Is a little more serious than that of light, as the installation of one of the most efficient methods of ventilation, the King system, requires an expenditure of more or less money. It should, as a rule, be put into a new bam, and in many instances It is good policy to install this system In old bams. The system provides for a constant change of air, the fresh air entering the bam near the celling through ducts that have their exterior opening near the foundation, marked by the figure 3 in the accompanying Illustration. There are a number of these on all sides of the building to provide fresh air, while the foul air is allowed to pass off through larger shafts marked by the figure 2, which have their opening, for the entrance of the foul air to the shaft, near the floor and the outlet at the top of the barn, marked by the figure 1. The King Bystem fs a very satisfactory system of ventilation, but must be properly Installed If good results are to be expected. There are other systems that are not so efficient or ex-, pensive which are often wisely used In remodeled bams. The window that Is bo constructed as to drop in at the fop, a few Inches from the casing, and having pieces extending out from the casing on both sides of the window, give very good satisfaction when used properly. They allow the air to circulate through the bam in such a manner that the cold air is directed toward the ceiling by the position and construction of the window. They must be opened and closed properly according to the directions from which the wind comes If good ventilation, without draught, is desired. The comfort of the cow depends, too, upon the character of the stall she occupies. This stall should be'of such a character that she can not only be comfortable, but also keep clean. A stanchion that permits a cow of the maximum freedom and still holds her in the proper relation to the gutter, back of her, Is desirable. With such a stall, well bedded, the cow will usually he comfortable and, if other conditions are right, yield a profit