Author(s):
Barbosa, José Carlos 
; Fitas da Cruz, Vasco
Date: 2009
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10198/3072
Origin: Biblioteca Digital do IPB
Subject(s): Working conditions; Animal housing; Sheep housing
Document details
Farm buildings and working conditions in sheep farms: actual situation in Trás-...
Description
In the region of Trás-os-Montes, in the Northeast of Portugal, the breeding of sheep is quite relevant, not only because of meat and milk production, but also because breeders are dealing with mountainous areas or regions where agriculture is the main activity and alternative economic activities are very scarce. Sheep are raised in extensive systems according to traditional farming systems and flocks are small. In this region, sheep farms don't use animal housing intensively. Generally, buildings for sheep are simple, supplying shelter and the basic requirements to animals. Also, the utilization of equipment or machines to perform labor required by sheep production is scarce. Frequently, the farm buildings used to handle the flock present some constraints that make the utilization of machines or equipment difficult. During last decade, some changes occurred in sheep farms, in the region, mainly related with handling techniques, feeding and milking. This evolution increased the importance and utilization of buildings for animal housing. Besides, the constraints and deficiencies in sheep housing interfere with labor and the working conditions in sheep farms. We carried out a study, in this region, to identify the constraints and deficiencies in sheep buildings and the work and tasks performed by sheep breeders inside these buildings. We chose four variables: building plan; inside arrangement; width of the entrance; and the height of the walls, to analyze the functionality of these animal housing constructions. Data collected allow us to conclude that, in this region, a large number of sheep farms continue to use very old constructions for sheep housing; many buildings are not suitable for the mechanization of work; and inside layout in sheep housing is not adequate to perform tasks in good conditions. Many buildings lack facilities or equipment in order to perform work related to sheep handling activity; and the tasks for manure removal and milking are very arduous, because these works are carried out manually. In the region, a large number of sheep farm buildings have many constraints and deficiencies in facilities and equipment that can affect working conditions inside these buildings.
In the region of Trás-os-Montes, in the Northeast of Portugal, the breeding of sheep is quite relevant, not only because of meat and milk production, but also because breeders are dealing with mountainous areas or regions where agriculture is the main activity and alternative economic activities are very scarce. Sheep are raised in extensive systems according to traditional farming systems and flocks are small. In this region, sheep farms don't use animal housing intensively. Generally, buildings for sheep are simple, supplying shelter and the basic requirements to animals. Also, the utilization of equipment or machines to perform labor required by sheep production is scarce. Frequently, the farm buildings used to handle the flock present some constraints that make the utilization of machines or equipment difficult. During last decade, some changes occurred in sheep farms, in the region, mainly related with handling techniques, feeding and milking. This evolution increased the importance and utilization of buildings for animal housing. Besides, the constraints and deficiencies in sheep housing interfere with labor and the working conditions in sheep farms. We carried out a study, in this region, to identify the constraints and deficiencies in sheep buildings and the work and tasks performed by sheep breeders inside these buildings. We chose four variables: building plan; inside arrangement; width of the entrance; and the height of the walls, to analyze the functionality of these animal housing constructions. Data collected allow us to conclude that, in this region, a large number of sheep farms continue to use very old constructions for sheep housing; many buildings are not suitable for the mechanization of work; and inside layout in sheep housing is not adequate to perform tasks in good conditions. Many buildings lack facilities or equipment in order to perform work related to sheep handling activity; and the tasks for manure removal and milking are very arduous, because these works are carried out manually. In the region, a large number of sheep farm buildings have many constraints and deficiencies in facilities and equipment that can affect working conditions inside these buildings.
Document Type
Article
Language English
Language English
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