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103. The number of cows housed in traditional cowsheds has declined markedly in recent years and continues to fall. Cows are normally tethered by a chain around the neck or in a yoke. This system allows the animals to stand up and lie down but not to turn round. The Government's welfare code requires cows to have sufficient freedom to be able to groom themselves without difficulty. After housing in late autumn/winter, cows are commonly tied up without any provision for exercise until turn-out in spring. As a result, some suffer from stiffness of joints. During the grazing period the cows are brought into the stalls and tied for milking, after which they return to the fields.
104. Traditional cowsheds usually have low ceilings and few air outlets; ventilation is therefore poor. Fixed troughs may be present at the front of the stall for feeding and water is usually provided automatically in bowls. The lying area is usually bedded with straw. If insufficient bedding is provided, and/or stalls are too short, cows may suffer from swollen knees and hocks.
105. Cows are milked in the stalls, with milk removed either directly into a pipeline or into milking buckets with a vacuum line installed around the shed. Very few herds are now milked by hand.
106. As required by the Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1994, a lying area which is well-drained and bedded must be provided. This should be of suitable size and will help to keep cows clean and comfortable and avoid damage to joints.
107. Soiled bedding and manure should be removed before milking.
108. Cows must be untied and allowed to exercise at least once daily, with access to feed and water if the exercise period is prolonged. As required by welfare code, they should also be able to groom themselves when tethered.
109. Modifications should be made to existing cowsheds if ventilation is poor, if cows are too large for the stalls or there are other design faults.