In this B. Sc. Thesis, based on an in-depth literature review, we examined different options for housing dry-off cows, arrangement of calving pens, and housing of cows in the first days after calving, focusing on innovative solutions and best practices, including standards. We also looked at housing of calves in the first weeks after calving in individual pens and older calves in group pens. In the second part of the paper, we described the current situation regarding dry-off cows, highly pregnant heifers and calves on our own farm. We have created a concept for a barn for dry-off cows, for highly pregnant heifers and a calving barn, and we have shown the optimal solutions for housing of calves on the family farm Rakun. The family farm Rakun operates dairy farming, bull fattening, and vegetable and fruit production. On family farm Rakun we milk 62 dairy cows with a milking robot. We decided to build a barn for dry-off cows, as we keep dry-off cows and highly pregnant heifers in overcrowded pens on deep litter due to the lack of space in the barn. Since we intend to expand the dairy barn in the future, we have decided to build a dry-off barn for 20 dry-off cows and highly pregnant heifers. The animals will be housed in two groups on deep litter. The barn will be 24 m long and about 12 m wide. Of this, 3 m will be the manure alley and 9 m will be the deep litter. The barn will be completely open and barn curtains will be used for wind protection.
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