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2. HOUSING AND FACILITIES

THIRD EDITION  

2.1 All Housing

MUST CRITERIA 

  • All housing must be adequately ventilated.

  • All housing must be adequately drained to assist cattle cleanliness and the maintenance of dry bedding.

  • All housing must be regularly scraped or cleaned out to remove manure as necessary.

  • All housing must be adequately lit to ensure that cattle can be visually inspected.

  • Cattle must have a period of low lighting to encourage rest.

  • All housing must have floor surfaces, including entrances and exits from the parlour, which are constructed and maintained to minimise the risk of injury to cattle.

  • The lying areas for young calves, in-calf or milking cattle must be non-slatted.

  • All housing must be maintained to safeguard against injury or distress to cattle.

  • All housing must allow animals the sound and view of other animals except in special circumstances such as when segregated for calving, treatment, illness or injury.

  • Cattle must not be closely confined for prolonged periods and when they are tied in cowsheds, untethered exercise must be provided every day.

  • Tracks and gateways must be maintained so cattle can be moved with minimal risk of foot damage or injury.

  • Electrical installations must be inaccessible to cattle.

  • All housing must allow bulls to be able to see and hear other cattle or general farm activity.

  • All housing must allow cattle to avoid draughts and exposure to extremes of temperature or weather.

  • Polled and fully horned cattle must be kept separately where there is a risk of injury or bullying.

 

 

2.2 Cubicles

MUST CRITERIA

  • Cubicle housing systems must be designed to allow cattle to exhibit normal behaviour especially when loafing, lying, ruminating and rising.(See Annex One)

  • Cubicle housing systems must have at least one cubicle per animal unless there is adjacent, accessible and adequate sized loose housing.

  • Cubicle housing systems must have cubicles of a suitable size and design to suit the breed and size of cattle.

  • Cubicle housing systems must provide a dry and comfortable bed with clean, dry bedding and/or appropriate mats.

  • Cubicle housing systems must have an adequate loafing area.(See Annex One)

 

 

2.3 Group Housing

MUST CRITERIA  

  • Group yards and loose housing systems must be designed to allow sufficient space for all cattle to lie down simultaneously, ruminate and rise without difficulty.

  • Group yards and loose housing systems must have bedding which is clean, dry and of sufficient depth to ensure stock comfort, minimise the risks of a build up of harmful bacteria or contaminants or soiling of the skin.

 

 

 2.4 Out Wintered Cattle

MUST CRITERIA.

  • Out-wintered cattle must have access to a sheltered and well-drained lying area that is free from a build-up of accumulated dung and dirt.

  • Out-wintered cattle must have suitable feeding arrangements.

 

 

2.5 Calving Facilities

MUST CRITERIA

  • Calving facilities (e.g. calving boxes or designated areas) must have suitable clean bedding available.

  • Calving facilities must be equipped with good lighting.

  • Calving facilities must have restraining facilities available.

 

2.6 Farm Appearance.

MUST CRITERIA

  • The farm as a whole must present an acceptable and tidy appearance to the general public.

 

 

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