The feed troughs should run along the length of the walking area with a water trough in the middle. The total length of the feed through should be such that each cow or heifer has two and a half to three (2.5-3) feet to itself.
The water trough should be placed such that both the young stock and the mature cows have access to it instead of constructing separate trough for each side (the unit divided to separate young and mature stock). Fighting between young stock and cows will not occur due to the boundary created between them. Fighting can also be prevented to constructing vertical poles a long the inside of the feed trough at intervals of 2.5 to 3 feet.
A horizontal line of timber is nailed along the vertical ones at 3 feet above the feed trough. Each cow then has its own feeding space.
The trough can be made of timber or stones. For water, a half drum can be used, each for two cows, instead of constructing a trough. For more than two cows more drums are used as necessary so that water and enough space for each animal is available.
If sufficient funds are available both feed and water troughs can be made of bricks and cement (assuming that concrete is more costly in relation to costs of drums and timber). The choice of the materials used for making troughs depends on the costs and availability of materials.
The inside measurements of the feed trough should be 60 cm (2 ft) wide at the bottom and should be raised at least 15 cm (1/2 ft) above the ground level of the walking area. The feed trough should not be too deep or cows will have difficulty reaching feed at the bottom. If it is too shallow, spillage and wastage of feed will occur. The trough is constructed such that its outside is raised to prevent spillage of feed.
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