Housing Requirements
Session 3 - Housing Routines

Each welfare code gives outlines of the housing requirements for different classes of livestock.

There are important factors that must be considered for all types of housing e.g. ventilation, drainage, lying areas, and feeding arrangements.

When livestock are housed they have less control over their environment e.g. less space to avoid bullying animals or move away from dirty bedding, so it is extremely important that they are checked frequently to ensure their welfare.

What are the Routines for Livestock Housing?

Livestock must be checked regularly to ensure:

They have access to sufficient food.

They have access to clean water.

They are healthy.

They are the correct temperature.

They have a clean dry lying area.

They have sufficient ventilation (but not a draughty environment) There are no problems with other animals e.g. tail biting in pigs, mismothering of young lambs.

There is no damage/wear to the building or equipment which could pose a risk (e.g. sharp edges on worn metal fixtures).

The routines will vary according to the type of stock.

At peak lambing times a shepherd may be in the lambing shed for almost all of the time, but other stock may be checked as part of the routine when they are being fed, mucked out or bedded.