Housing has begun on a small number of farms and is drawing near for many more. For most, the winter will last at least three months and for some it will go on for up to six. In that time, it is critical to maximise animal comfort and this includes during feeding.

Barriers

Feed barrier design is crucial. Cattle must have a good reach with the barrier, stub wall and feed passage height, giving animals maximum reach without affecting posture. The stub wall height required depends on animal type and, while 530mm is ideal for adult animals, it restricts access to feed for smaller animals. Using timber planks allows you to alter the height and cater for a range of stock sizes.

In terms of the feeding barrier, the simplest is an adjustable straight rail working in tandem with a stub wall. The straight rail should be easy to adjust to allow cater for different stock types and growing animals. Pressure points or hair gone from the necks of animals indicates that the rail is not set correctly.

Diagonal barriers have the advantage of less bullying and reduce the amount of feed taken into the pen. The animal’s neck should not normally come in contact with the top rail with diagonal feed barriers.

Feed space

Feed space must be sufficient for the feeding system so that no bullying, lameness or health issues are caused as a result of feeding.

Feed allocation and method is critical. Where feed is offered ad-lib and/or part of a TMR, there is minimal pressure on feed space. Where feed is being restricted or where concentrates are not incorporated into a TMR, it is crucial to provide adequate feed space for each animal.

Table 1 outlines the feed space requirements for beef and suckler and dairy animals under fed ad-lib feeding and when being restricted.

Sheep

A well-designed sheep shed should allow you to meal-feed every 100 ewes in 10 to 15 minutes. It should also be possible to meal feed all ewes without having to get into the pen with them.

Having all your ewes under one roof or at least in the same yard will reduce the workload significantly this winter.

Table 2 details the feed space required for ewes and ewe lambs. Group pens are often under-stocked due to limited meal trough space. If deep pens are to be stocked to their full potential, walk through troughs or feeding on two or more sides of the pen should be looked at.