Family farm Poljanec is a small hilly farm, where we deal with breeding of suckler cows. Currently we have old barn for suckler cows and young stock, which we plan to adapt in the future. Based on professional literature that we used for this thesis, we have looked into necessary norms and rules, which should be taken in consideration when planning a barn for cattle. We managed to present different practices of housing systems for cattle, particularly the housing of suckler cows. With gathered information, we created a design to adapt our barn for cattle. In the thesis, we presented the design of the barn and with the help of SketchUp we drew a 3D sketch of the modernized facility. In the renovated barn, there will be place for 12 suckler cows with their calves. Instead of tied-in housing system, we will introduce a free stall barn with possibility of release animals outside the barn. The feeding will take place outside the barn, except in case of bad weather we will feed the animals inside the barn, by leaving fodder in the hayrack. Manure removal will be automatized. On the southern side of the barn, there will be windows for better lighting and climate. Even though the number of cows is quite low, the adaptation of the facility is necessary. With the renovation of the facility, we will not only minimize the amount of manual work that is put into successful farming on a daily basis, but we will also improve the animal welfare.
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