About Spinder Dairy Housing Concepts
Spinder's five promises:
- Comfort for the cow
- Comfort for the farmer
- Made in Holland
- Customization
- Nearby and fast service.
A happy, healthy cow in excellent condition provides more milk. This is why an investment in a comfortable, safe and clean living environment for your cows will always pay for itself. In both animal wellbeing and production. The benefits of comfort!
Eating
Cows must eat a large amount (an unlimited amount) of roughage to produce a large amount of milk. That is the reason why cows may walk to the roughage around ten times a day and spend some 6 hours at the feed front for an intake of 65 to 100 pounds. This may vary, depending on the production purpose, the quality of the roughage and the feeding system. A feed front is an important tool in dealing with the herd; securing and releasing, in groups or individually. This must be done safely and simply with as little force and as few actions as possible. Securing must be reliable and, if so desired, cows must be able to secure themselves.
Resting
Cows should be able to rest as much and as often as they want. The cow's lying time is at least twelve hours a day, fourteen hours is optimal. This requires a comfortable and dry stall where she can lie down and stand up without any problems. Proper dimensions lead to cows lying straight, so that the manure ends up in the manure alley and the cubicle remains hygienic and dry. Cow lying comfort is determined by a combination of the right freestall divider, the right bedding and proper dimensioning.
Drinking
A cow drinks large amounts of water; after all, about 88% of milk is water, while manure also consists largely of water. 30 gallons of water a day is a reasonable average. A cow also drinks quickly; all those gallons go down in a short time. The animals are particularly thirsty immediately after milking. This means that sufficient water must be available in the barn, with a fast supply of fresh water. Preferably 10 gallons of water per minute! A heating element can be used to prevent ice formation in winter, with a circulation pump system, if necessary.
Cow traffic
As the cattle population increases, the ability to easily regulate cow traffic is becoming a bigger issue. Opening and closing gates must be convenient and safe for arms and fingers. Spinder has developed their own locking point with one-finger operation for this purpose: robust and cannot be operated by the animals themselves.
Attention - Cuddle box
A new-born calf is the future of your livestock and a newly calved cow is the start of a new lactation.
The Spinder Cuddle Box creates the optimum conditions for this important first phase: for the farmer, for the cow and for the calf. Handy, safe, smooth, hygienic and stress-free handling around the entire calving process.
For the development of the Cuddle box, Spinder worked together with Vetvice: a team of veterinarians who strive for maximum welfare and health of animals and humans.
Attention - Arena calf pen
For a new-born calf, living conditions are important, especially in the first period, in order to grow into a healthy cow. Optimal housing is a must. Young calves are vulnerable. For many years, single calf pens have proved to be the best solution to prevent infection.
The Arena is fitted with plastic walls and floor, as well as a handy and flexible zinc front gate. Arena calf pens are easy to clean and easy to move! Smooth walls make it easy to release any dirt. The floor is light and consists of a single unit, which means there is little chance of curling straw.