Question

For Gir cows farm, what should be the optimum floor space requirement (covered and open area, respectively) per cow

• A. \(1.5 \text{ m}^2\) and \(5.0 \text{ m}^2\)
• B. \(3.5 \text{ m}^2\) and \(7.0 \text{ m}^2\)
• C. \(5.5 \text{ m}^2\) and \(9.0 \text{ m}^2\)
• D. \(4.75 \text{ m}^2\) and \(9.0 \text{ m}^2\)

Hint:

An easy way to remember loose housing space requirements for adult cows:
\[ \text{Open Area} = 2 \times \text{Covered Area} \] For standard adult cows, the ratio is exactly \(3.5 \text{ m}^2\) (covered) to \(7.0 \text{ m}^2\) (open).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Providing adequate floor space is a key factor in livestock housing design. Proper spacing minimizes stress, prevents overcrowding injuries, supports natural animal behavior, and helps maintain sanitary conditions.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the standard floor space requirements for adult cows under a loose housing system:

In a loose housing system, cows are kept in an open paddock with a covered shed along one side to provide shelter from rain and sun.

According to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS: 11907-1986) and standard Indian dairy husbandry guidelines, the floor space requirement per adult cow is:
1.Covered Area:\(3.5 \text{ m}^2\) per cow. This provides sufficient room for all cows to rest comfortably under shelter during hot or wet weather.
2.Open Area (Paddock):\(7.0 \text{ m}^2\) per cow. This provides enough space for exercise and social interactions.

The open area is typically twice the size of the covered area.

Providing less space (such as \(1.5 \text{ m}^2 / 5.0 \text{ m}^2\)) leads to overcrowding, while larger spaces (such as \(5.5 \text{ m}^2 / 9.0 \text{ m}^2\)) increase construction costs unnecessarily.
Therefore, the optimum floor space requirement for Gir cows is \(3.5 \text{ m}^2\) covered and \(7.0 \text{ m}^2\) open area.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (B).