The Effect of Barn Design on Animal Welfare: A Structural Assessment in Selçuklu District of Konya Province

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the structural characteristics of dairy cattle barns in Selçuklu District of Konya Province in terms of animal welfare. Within the scope of the research, 20 farms were selected through purposive sampling, and the barns were examined in terms of technical parameters such as orientation, dimensions, construction materials, ventilation, lighting, and thermal insulation. Additionally, the presence of special compartments (for calves, calving, and sick animals) and auxiliary structures was assessed. The findings revealed that most farms lacked essential compartments and support units, and that critical structural elements-such as ventilation, natural lighting, and insulation-did not meet technical standards. Although the average feeding space per animal was found to be sufficient (1.34 m), the average thermal transmittance (U-value) of the barns was calculated as 1.889 kcal/m².°C·h, indicating inadequate insulation performance. In conclusion, the majority of the barns were found to have been built without proper planning or professional technical support, which negatively affects both animal welfare and production efficiency. The study highlights the need for structural improvement of dairy barns in compliance with technical standards and emphasizes the importance of professional guidance, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Keywords

• dairy cattle housing
• barn design
• structural assessment
• animal welfare
• thermal insulation

Barınak Tasarımının Hayvan Refahı Üzerine Etkisi: Konya Selçuklu İlçesinde Yapısal Bir Değerlendirme

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Konya ili Selçuklu ilçesindeki süt sığırı ahırlarının yapısal özelliklerini hayvan refahı açısından değerlendirmek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Araştırma kapsamında, amaçlı örnekleme yöntemiyle 20 çiftlik seçilmiş ve ahırlar, yönelim, boyutlar, yapı malzemeleri, havalandırma, aydınlatma ve ısı yalıtımı gibi teknik parametreler açısından incelenmiştir. Ayrıca, özel bölmelerin (buzağılar, doğum yapan hayvanlar ve hasta hayvanlar için) ve yardımcı yapıların varlığı da değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, çoğu çiftlikte gerekli bölmelerin ve destek ünitelerinin eksik olduğunu ve havalandırma, doğal aydınlatma ve yalıtım gibi kritik yapısal unsurların teknik standartları karşılamadığını ortaya koymuştur. Hayvan başına ortalama yemleme alanı yeterli (1,34 m) bulunmasına rağmen, ahırların ortalama ısı geçirgenliği (U değeri) 1,889 kcal/m².°C·h olarak hesaplanmış ve yetersiz yalıtım performansına işaret etmiştir. Sonuç olarak, ahırların çoğunun uygun planlama veya profesyonel teknik destek olmadan inşa edildiği ve bunun hem hayvan refahını hem de üretim verimliliğini olumsuz etkilediği tespit edilmiştir. Çalışma, teknik standartlara uygun olarak süt çiftliklerinin yapısal olarak iyileştirilmesi ihtiyacını vurgulamakta ve özellikle küçük ve orta ölçekli işletmeler için profesyonel rehberliğin önemini belirtmektedir.

Keywords

• süt sığırı barınakları
• barınak tasarımı
• yapısal değerlendirme
• hayvan refahı
• ısı yalıtımı

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