Abstract:
The present investigation was carried out to study the “Housing Practices and housing facilities in Gaushalas of Haryana”. The data from 30 Gaushalas of Haryana were collected during the period started from April, 2017 to February, 2018 through interview using a structured questionnaire and by on site observation. These 30 Gaushalas were divided into three categories based on the number of animals present in Gaushalas as small (100-500 animals), medium (501-1000 animals) and large size Gaushalas (>1000 animals). The data were collected and analyzed on existing housing facilities like availability of floor space, type and height of roof, type of floors, microclimate protection measures and feeding and watering space availability of different categories of cattle i. e. milch cows, calves and heifers, unproductive cows and bulls and bullocks are maintained in Gaushalas. Findings of the availability of floor space (sq ft) per milch cows and heifers was significantly (P<0.05) higher in medium and large Gaushalas as compared to small Gaushalas. The different floor types inside the shed were concrete (36.67%), brick-on-edge (30%) and concrete + brick-on-edge (33.33%), while in open paddock brick-on-edge (53.33%) kachha (16.67), concrete + brick-on-edge (13.33) and kachha + brick-on-edge (13.33%) floors. The roofing materials used in Gaushalas were asbestos + RCC (40.00 %), RCC+ G I sheets (23.33%), RCC (16.67%). It could be concluded that the housing practices and housing facilities were better in large Gaushalas as compared to small and medium Gaushalas.