Cows are very fond of regularity. They have an excellent sense of time. Turning back the clock results in a temporary disruption of the daily rhythm for some cows, (as for some people).
Unshaven animals often get too hot in the young cattle shed. Young stock, heifers and calves have a long and very dense winter coat. They don't need that coat in the young cattle shed. The winter coat makes them sweat very quickly.
In summer we regularly see an inflammation of the eyelids and/or the cornea in young stock and cows (but also in small ruminants). This condition is called “Pinkeye”. It is usually caused by a bacterium (mainly Moraxella bovis). The infection pressure varies greatly from region to region.
Good lighting in combination with a good day / night rhythm in the cowshed is the basis for optimally performing cows. Lighting and day / night rhythm influence milk production between 6 to 10%.
If the sprinklers are installed and used correctly, the visit to the feed barrier will be 25% higher on average. This has a positive effect on feed intake.
Cattle can tolerate the cold well, but the heat badly.
Heat stress occurs when an animal is no longer able to regulate its body temperature due to high temperatures and humidity.
Cattle like temperatures between -10 ° C and + 18 ° C. Higher than + 18 ° C is too warm.
I predict that cooling systems in cattle sheds will soon become standard equipment.
My advice for renovation or new construction plans: take the installation of cooling capacity into account.
Many animal welfare problems, including chronic hunger (due to too little milk for the calves), premature weaning, thermal and physical disorders, are linked to a stress response.