GB2281184A - Livestock stall and method of forming the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides for livestock stall 10 which can be formed from prefabricated members comprising front and rear platform members 20, 22. The platform members are supported on supports 34, 36, 46 in the form of concrete sleepers. Stanchions 28, 30 are provided to define the sides of each stall, mounted on spigots 44 to assist the ease of construction. <IMAGE>

Description

LIVESTOCK STALL APPARATUS AND - METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME The present invention relates to livestock stall apparatus and a method of forming the same.

During the winter months, livestock is commonly housed within a covered structure, for example a cowshed. To assist with the organisation of the cows within the shed, a plurality of stalls are provided, generally along opposite sides of the shed. Each stall is arranged to receive an individual cow and has an open front end by which the cow enters the stall, and a closed rear end which prevents passage of the cow through the stall. Commonly, the closed rear end of the stall is formed by a wall of the covered structure.

It should be understood that in the present application, the front of a stall refers to the open end of the stall through which the animal can gain access to, and can exit from, the stall.

Known stalls are provided by preparing an area of the ground surface within a cowshed upon which the stalls are to be located and then concreting that area to provide for the floor portions of the stalls. Barriers are mounted in the concrete floor portion and serve to define the side walls of the stalls. The surface of the concrete has been formed to the required level and smoothness to render it suitable for use.

Known stalls are disadvantageous in that they are both expensive and time consuming to construct. In particular, time has to be spent in preparing the surface which is to be concreted and this is particularly problematical if the ground surface is sloping and/or uneven. Indeed, in some instances, the ground surface may be totally unsuitable for the construction of livestock stalls. As such, the choice of suitable sites is disadvantageously restricted.

Also, it has been found that known stalls are generally too small for present-day cows, and that when confined in small stalls, cows cannot move or extend their heads freely. This prevents rumination and the cows often have to stand to cud.

Further, changing from a lying position to a standing position in known stalls forces the cows to execute abnormal movements which can cause distress, discomfort and injury, particularly to heifers.

Dairy cows are currently valued at 1500 each and their average working life in the United Kingdom is currently 34 lactations. The useful life of such cows is particularly restricted by infertility, mastitis and lameness. The problems arising from known stalls are thought to be at least partly responsible for such conditions. For example, recent research suggests that the national instance of lameness is in the region of 50% and that of all the possible risk factors, badly designed stalls have been identified as the worst. Other injuries that are common with known stalls are damaged hocks and sole ulcers.

The present invention seeks to provide improved livestock stall apparatus and an improved method of forming the same.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided livestock stall apparatus comprising stand means for supporting an animal, barrier means for defining the sides of the stall and support means for supporting said stand means.

Advantageously, the stall can be formed of prefabricated sections to any required dimension and involves less time-consuming preparation of the ground surface than currently required.

Preferably the support means is arranged such that said stand means is inclined to the horizontal. In particular, the stand means is supported so as to slope upwardly from the front to the rear of the stall.

One way of achieving the present invention is to form the stand means as platform means. The stand means can then comprise first and second platform portions. The first portion is located towards the front of the stall and the second portion is located towards the rear of the stall and is inclined relative to the first portion so as to slope upwardly therefrom.

As such, the second platform portion can assist the stall occupant in gaining the required leverage to raise itself to a standing position without requiring potentially damaging movement and stretching of its limbs.

According to another aspect to the present invention there is provided a live stock stall comprising stand means for supporting an animal and barrier means for defining the sides of the stall, wherein said stand means has a first portion and a second portion and said second portion is inclined relative to said first portion and slopes upwardly therefrom towards the rear of the stall.

The above-mentioned first and second stand portions may comprise respective first and second platform members for forming the floor portion of the stall. If required, such first and second platform members can be arranged for inter-engagement. Quick and simple construction of such apparatus can readily be achieved, particularly by employing pre-fabricated platform members.

Advantageously, the platform means can comprise a concrete slab which, for example, can be formed in a shallow tray member. As such, the platform means may comprise a shallow metal tray having a concrete slab formed therein. In particular, the first and second platform members can comprise respective first and second shallow trays having respective first and second concrete slabs formed therein. An end portion of at least one of the shallow trays can be provided with flange means for engaging the other one of said trays. Also, flange means may be provided for engagement of at least one of said trays to said support means.

A platform means of such a structure advantageously exhibits the rigidity and strength required and can be readily formed as a pre-fabricated member having any required size.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided livestock stall apparatus comprising first and second interengageable floor members, said first member being arranged to interengage said second member so as to extend in an inclined manner relative thereto.

Advantageously, said first and second floor members are arranged to interlock. Also, at least one of said members has engagement means for engaging support means for supporting at least part of the stall. As such, the ends of said floor members remote from the region of interengagement are arranged to engage support means for the stall. Said region of interengagement can also be arranged to engage further support means for the stall.

It will therefore be appreciated that the invention can comprise a kit of floor-portion parts for a livestock stall, that are pre-fabricated and can be easily transported and simply and quickly assembled.

The junction between the first and second platform portions can form a step with the first and second platform portions being arranged so that the upper surface of the second portion is above the upper surface of the first portion at the junction. In particular, an elongate timber member can be provided along the face of the step so formed and, as such, can comprise a so called brisket board. Such a board serves to improve the comfort of the stall and thereby reduce the likelihood of the occupant suffering damage.

At least the first of the first and second platform portions can be provided with matting which is nonabsorbent but which can be deformable so as to increase the comfort for the stall occupant.

Preferably said support means comprises at least one elongate member extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the stall. As such, the elongate support member can extend under a plurality of adjacent stalls. In particular, one such elongate support member can be provided under the platform means, and towards the front of the stall, while another such support member can be provided under the platform means towards the rear of the stall. At least one of the support members can be keyed into the ground over which the stalls are located.

As such, the support means can comprise two substantially parallel elongate concrete sleepers. Advantageously, the sleepers are formed at the locations required by pouring concrete into an appropriately formed and located channel and allowing the concrete to set. Such channel can be defined by farmers. It will be appreciated that at least one of the concrete sleepers can be formed with a recess or stepped portion for receiving an end portion of the platform means.

If the platform means comprises first and second platform members as noted above, support means may be located beneath the point of engagement between the two platform members.

Also, support means for the end of the platform means at the rear of the stall can be provided by way of a wall of the structure within which the stalls are located. In such an instance, the support means may comprise bracket means secured to an existing load-bearing element of the structure, for example a rolled steel joist. The platform means may be mounted on such an element by way of an intermediate support member extending along the length of the wall.

It should be noted that support means is required for the platform means at the rear end of the stall particularly if the platform means comprises a second member inclined upwardly and away from a first member.

Also, to assist the quick and simple construction of the apparatus, the pre-fabricated components can be mounted as required by way of bolt means.

The barrier means form stanchion means and may comprise any suitable means for preventing movement of the livestock sideways into an adjacent stall but which can also allow for any desired interaction between the occupants of adjacent stalls. The barrier means can be mounted on the support means. As such, the barrier means can comprise a unitary member which is preferably formed from a single length of tubing bent to the required shape and form. In particular, the barrier means can comprise, in use, two vertical portions extending from opposite ends of horizontal portion. Each of the vertical portions can be arranged for engagement with support means provided under the platform means at opposite ends of the stall. In addition, a transverse member extends between the upper portions of the barrier means forming the two sides of a stall and serves to enhance the rigidity of the barrier means. Also, the transverse member serves, by way of contact with the occupants head if raised too high, to urge the occupant of the stall into a position of relative comfort and to retain the occupant in such a position. As such, the transverse member extends between the barrier means towards the rear end of the stall. The transverse member may comprise a metal tube member of similar inner and outer diameters and those of the tube member that can form the barrier means.

Further, a substantially horizontally extending length of twisted rope can be provided between upwardly extending portions of the barrier means and the tension in the rope can be increased and maintained as required either by twisting the rope further or by winding the twisted rope by way of winch or ratchet means.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming a plurality of livestock stalls comprising the steps of locating support means on part of the ground over which the stalls are to extend, locating stand means on said support means and mounting barrier means relative to said stand means so as to define the sides of said stalls.

Advantageously, sections of the apparatus, in particular the stand means and the barrier means are in pre-fabricated form and so construction of the apparatus involves a simple assembly procedure. The on-site construction costs are then reduced.

The support means can comprise concrete sleepers and can advantageously be formed in situ by causing the concrete to set in appropriately located channel means.

Further, the support means are advantageously arranged to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the stalls.

Preferably, anchor means for said barrier means are secured in said support means, in particular, at the time of forming said support means.

Also, said stand means can be formed by the interengagement between at least two floor members and which extend so as to be inclined relative to each other.

Indeed, the at least two floor members can be interlocked.

The assembly process is particularly enhanced by mounting regions of the platform members remote from the region of interengagement on support means. In particular said regions can be mounted on support means provided on the wall of a structure in which the stall is to be located, and also on support means provided on the ground.

The support means on the ground may be shaped to receive a region of a floor member. Also, engagement with the support means provided on the wall can be secured by way of bolt means.

From the above, and also from the following description, it will be appreciated that the invention provides a method of constructing a livestock stall which is simple, quick and inexpensive. Such advantages remain irrespective of the dimensions of the stall.

Preferably, a plurality of support means are provided for each stall and the stand means comprises a first platform member which is located on, so as to extend between, first and second support means and a second platform member which is located on, so as to extend between, the second and a third support means. As above, the second platform member can advantageously be arranged to be inclined relative to the first platform member and in an upward direction therefrom.

A livestock stall embodying the present invention is particularly advantageous in that a row, or some other plurality, of such stalls can be installed in the required location in a quick, simple and inexpensive manner. In particular, a row of stalls can be formed without the whole ground area to be covered by the stalls first having to be prepared for concreting. As such, areas that would be uneconomical or otherwise unsuitable for the provision of livestock stalls can now be used after, at most, minor preparation for receiving the support means. With the stalls formed from prefabricated sections and components, the apparatus can be quickly assembled and ready for use.

Simple engagement between the platform members, and the use of bolt means are particularly useful for providing for a quick and effective assembly process.

Further, the various sections can be prefabricated in any required dimensions and so livestock stall apparatus embodying the present invention can be readily designed altered or replaced so as to meet any particular requirement. For example, the stalls can readily be formed of a suitable length and width for any particular size of cow and this is advantageous in providing ample lunging space to ensure freedom of movement when the cow seeks to stand up or lie down. Also, the improved comfort that can be afforded by the present invention encourages the cowls natural movements and cudding.

It will be seen that the present invention can also provide for livestock stall apparatus which reduces the stress to an animal's hind feet, the occurrence of bruised hocks, general lameness and also the occurrence of weakened tendens and sole ulcers.

Also, the flexible and easily adjustable lower division rail formed by the twisted rope of the barrier means prevents serious injury to the stall occupant if an attempt is made to step sideways into an adjacent stall.

Further, the relatively low height of the platform portion at the front end of the stall also serves to reduce stress and lameness, and in particular weakened tendons and sole ulcers.

In assisting the achievement of a correct positioning of a cow in the stall, the apparatus can seek to ensure the provision and maintenance of a clean bed.

Further advantages arise due to the minimal maintenance required by apparatus embodying the present invention. Of course, the invention is particularly advantageous in that if a component of the stall becomes damaged or otherwise unsuitable, it can be simply and quickly replaced without disturbing adjacent stalls and their occupants. By way of the present invention, it is possible to provide a stall which provides livestock with the same comfort and freedom to lie down and stand up as they experience in straw yards or summer pastures.

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of part of a row of livestock stalls embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the lines Il-Il in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 illustrates apparatus embodying the present invention, namely part of a row of stalls 10 formed adjacent a side wall 12 of a cowshed having a floor 14.

Fig. 1 shows two adjacent stalls 16, 18 having similar dimensions and form.

The stall 16 has a front platform member 20 and a rear platform member 22 which combine to form a floor portion for the stall 16. As can be seen, the rear platform member 22 is inclined relative to the front platform member 20 and slopes upwardly therefrom towards the rear of the stall 16.

The junction between the front platform member 20 and the rear platform member 22 is formed as a step having an elongate timber member 42 secured to the front thereof.

The front platform member 20 is supported on, and extends between, two elongate concrete sleepers 34, 36 which are located so as to extend underneath the row of stalls and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the stalls. As is illustrated in further detail in Fig. 2, the rear platform member 22 is arranged to engage the front platform member 20 so that the adjacent ends of both platform members 20, 22 are supported on the concrete sleeper 34. As previously mentioned, the rear platform member 22 is inclined upwardly in a direction from the front platform member 20 towards the rear of the stall 16 and, at the rear of the stall 16, is supported on a steel channel member 46. The steel channel member 46 extends along the wall 12 of the cowshed and is secured to the rolled steel joists 48 of the cowshed, one of which is shown.

As can be seen, the sides of the stall 16 are defined by stanchions 28, 30 which comprised galvanised tubes which have been cut and preformed to the required dimensions and shape. One end of the tube 28 is mounted on a spigot 44 secured in the concrete sleeper 36 and the other end of the tube 28 has a flange 72 by which if secured to the steel channel member 46. As can be seen, the other stanchions of the illustrated example also comprise pre-formed tubes 30, 32 mounted at one end to the channel member 46 and at the other end to respective spigots 45, 47.

In order to prevent access for the cows through the stanchions, a twisted length of 10 mm thick rope 29, 31, 33 extends between the vertical portions of the tubes 28, 30, 32 respectively as is described further below.

As noted above, the stalls 16, 18 of the illustrated embodiment, are of similar shape and design and, as such, the stall 18 has a floor portion formed of a front platform member 24 and a rear platform member 26 which slopes upwardly from the front platform member 24 towards the rear of the stall 18 in a similar manner as the stall 16. The tube 30 also forms a stanchion for one side of the stall 18 while the opposite side of the stall 18 is defined by a further stanchion comprising a pre-formed tube 34 with a twisted rope portion 33 attached.

The platform members 20, 22 and 24, 26 of the respective stalls 16, 18 comprise shallow steel trays which are arranged to receive concrete which sets therein so as to form a concrete slab. The construction of the illustrated embodiment is now further illustrated by reference to Figure 2.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the line II-II of Fig. 1 and so shows the construction of only one of the stall 16 in greater detail. However, in the illustrated example, adjacent stalls have the same construction as the stall 16.

The front platform member 20 comprises a shallow rectangular steel tray 40, two opposite side walls of which 54, 56 are formed by bending a blank from which the tray 40 is formed. Two remaining opposite sides of the tray 40, one of which 41 is shown in Fig. 1, are formed by welding separate steel panels onto the bent blank as required. In the illustrated example, the tray 40 is formed from 2 mm thick sheet steel and has a depth of 75 mm. Concrete is set in the tray 40 and forms a concrete slab 50 having a depth in the region of 50 mm. A mat 52 formed of a nonabsorbent deformable material is located on top of the concrete 50 so as to provide a comfortable surface upon which a cow can lie down or stand as required. As noted previously, the front platform member 20 is supported on, and extends between, concrete sleepers 34, 36. The concrete sleeper 36 has a recess portion 58 which is arranged to receive the front end of the front platform member 20 formed by the tray wall 56. Also, the concrete sleeper 36 can be provided with a further recess 60 for receiving a front-flap portion of the mat 52. The front platform member 20 illustrated in the example is 1.45 m in length.

With reference to the rear platform member 22, in the illustrated embodiment this member 22 also comprises a shallow steel tray preformed from 2 mm thick sheet steel so as to form a tray having a depth of 75 mm. The tray 38 is preformed with side walls, one of which 39 is shown in Fig. 1, and a rear end wall 64 and a front end wall 66.

Both the rear end wall 64 and front end wall 66 are inclined to the base of the tray 38, and in a parallel manner, so that, as can be seen in Fig. 2, when in use, the wall members 64, 66 extend substantially vertically. Both the wall members 64 and 66 are arranged for further engagement of the rear platform member 22. The rear wall member 64 includes a flange 65 which extends perpendicular to the wall member 64 and is secured by bolt means (not shown) to the steel channel member 46. The front wall member 66 of the tray 38 extends downwardly below the tray 38 so as to form an angled heel portion 68, 70 which rests on the concrete sleeper 34. As such, the rear platform member 22 is supported by the steel channel member 46 and the concrete sleeper 34. The elongate timber member 42 is secured to the front wall member 66 of the tray 38 by a bolt means (not shown). As can be seen in Fig. 2, the elongate timber member 42 is spaced from angled part 70 of the heel position 60, 70 and thereby forms a channel which is arranged to receive the edge of the front platform member 20 formed by the side 54 of the tray 40. In this manner, the front platform member 20 and rear platform member 22 can be engaged together in the required location.

To further enhance the rigidity of the structure, the concrete sleeper 36 can be keyed into the ground 40 as required. Advantageously, the trays 38, 40 are coated with black bitumen prior to the concrete being introduced therein.

The concrete sleeper 36 is in the region of 150 mm high at its front edge and the recessed portion 58 is in the region of 95 mm high. The concrete sleeper 34 is in the region of 178 mm high. From these dimension, and as illustrated in Fig. 2, the front platform member 20 is inclined upwardly in the direction of the rear of the stall 16. Also, in the illustrated example, the rear platform member 22 is in the region of 120 mm in length and is inclined in the region of 30C to the horizontal. The shallow front edge of the concrete sleeper 36 is advantageous in reducing stress and lameness in the stall occupant.

The stanchion means illustrated in Fig. 2 comprises a preformed galvanised tube 30 having a front 70 leg portion and rear 74 leg portion and with a tensioned rope 31 extending therebetween. The front leg portion 70 is mounted on a spigot 45 which is secured in the concrete sleeper 36. The rear leg portion 74 has a flange member 72 by which it is secured to the angled flange portion of the tray 38 and the steel channel member 46 by bolt means (not shown). The tensioned rope 31 passes through an eye 76 provided on the front leg portion 70 of the tube 30 and is secured to the rear leg portion 74 of the tube 30 by way of a ratchet wheel 78. Indeed, a single length of 10 mm thick rope passes from the ratchet wheel 78 through the eye 76 and back to the ratchet wheel 78 whereby the adjacent portions of rope 31 can be twisted by rotation of the ratchet about an axis which extends in the direction of the rope 31 so as to achieve the required tension. The tensioning of the twisted rope 31 is also achieved by winding of the ratchet wheel 78.

The rigidity of the preformed tube members 28, 30, 32 defining the sides of the stalls 16, 18 (see Fig. 1) is further enhanced by means of a transverse tube member 27 which can extend along the row of stalls, substantially perpendicular to the tube members 28, 30, 32. The transverse tube member 27 is advantageously located towards the rear of the stall so as to assist in locating the cow as required in the stall while not trapping the cow's head or otherwise causing distress.

As will be clearly understood, the components of the stalls 16, 18 can be provided in a preformed manner such that on-site assembly is a simple and quick process. In this respect, the platform members 20, 22 can comprise steel trays having the required depth of concrete set therein prior to construction of the stalls.

In the illustrated example, the concrete sleepers 34, 36 are formed in-situ as required. As such, a channel is formed at the location at which the concrete sleepers are required and the concrete is then poured and set and the means defining the channel then removed. As mentioned above, at least one of the concrete sleepers can be keyed into the ground 14 and it is then necessary to attend to at least some minor preparation of the ground 14 upon which the stalls are to belocated, Also, the spigots 44, 45 and 47 (see Fig. 1) can be located in the concrete that is to form the sleeper 36 prior to the concrete setting so that when the stall is to be assembled, the spigots 44, 45 and 47 provide secure mounting means for one end of the tubes 28, 30, 32.

Accordingly, livestock stall apparatus embodying the present invention is particularly advantageous in that the apparatus can be installed in a quick, simple and inexpensive manner which requires little, if any, preparation of the ground surface upon which the apparatus is to be provided. For example, once the concrete sleepers 34, 36 are laid and set, it is simply a matter of bolting the rear leg portion 74 of the tube 30 and the angled flange 64 of the tray 38 to the steel channel member 46 and then appropriately locating the preformed front panel member 20 in the recess formed between the heel portion 70 of the tray 38 and the elongate timber member 42 and then simply locating the front end of the front panel member 20 on the concrete sleeper 36. Finally, the front leg portion 70 of the tube 30 is located on the spigot 45. Once the rope is appropriately located through the eye 76, it can then be tensioned by both twisting the rope and by rotating the ratchet wheel 78 so as to increase the tension in the rope 31 as required. Finally, the transverse tube member 27 can be secured through the upper rear portion of the tube 30 by bolt means (not shown) and a rigid live stockstall structure is thereby simply and quickly assembled.

In use, the cow enters the stall (for example stall 16 in Fig. 1) by way of the front open end in the normal manner and moves towards the rear of the stall 16. In the illustrated example, the rear wall is formed by part of the wall 12 of the cowshed. The cow can then stand or lie down as required in the stall and its comfort in the stall is enhanced by means of the mat 52 forming the upper surface of the front platform member 20. Also, the elongate timber member 42 forms a so called brisket board and enhances the comfort of the cow when it lies down within the stall.

Indeed, the front legs and head of the cow may extend over the brisket board 42 and then be supported on the rear platform member 22. As can be seen, the rear platform member 22 extends upwardly towards the rear of the stall 16. The inclined surface presented thereby assists the cow when levering itself so as to stand up. In particular, the sloping portion reduces the distance that the cow has to extend its front legs when seeking to stand up. The assistance thereby provided by the inclined rear platform member 22 reduces the likelihood of the cow damaging itself and enables a cow to position herself so that she does not foul the bed. Also, it can be seen that the front platform member 20 slopes upwardly towards the rear platform member 22 and this also serves to enhance the comfort provided by apparatus embodying the present invention and also serves to assist the maintenance and cleaning of the apparatus.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment. For example, two parallel rows of stalls could be provided in a back-to-back manner. As such, the rear ends of the platform means that back on to each other could be supported by common support means extending upwardly from the ground. Of course, any appropriate stand means that can support the intended stall occupant can be employed. Also, the relative inclination of the platform positions, and the relative dimensions of the sections of the stall can differ from the above examples as required.

Indeed, it will be appreciated that other modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated within the scope of the present application.

Claims (29)

1. Livestock stall apparatus comprising stand means for supporting an animal, barrier means for defining the sides of said stall and support means for supporting said stand means.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said support means is arranged such that said stand means is inclined to the horizontal.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said stand means is supported so as to slope upwardly from the front to the rear of the stall.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said stand means comprise platform means.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said stand means comprises first and second platform portions.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said first portion is arranged for location towards the front of the stall and said second portion is arrranged for location towards the rear of the stall and is arranged to be inclined relative to the first portion so as to slope upwardly therefrom.

7. Livestock stall apparatus comprising stand means for supporting an animal and barrier means for defining the sides of the stall, wherein said stand means has a first portion and a second portion and said second portion is inclined relative to said first portion and slopes upwardly therefrom towards the rear of the stall.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said first and second stand portions may comprise respective first and second platform means for forming the floor portion of the stall.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said first and second platform members can be arranged for interengagement.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, 5, 6, 8 or 9, wherein said platform means comprises concrete slab.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said platform means comprises a shallow metal tray having a concrete slab formed therein.

12. Livestock stall apparatus comprising first and second interengageable floor members, said first member being arranged to interengage said second member so as to extend in an inclined manner relative thereto.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said first and second floor members are arranged to interlock.

14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein at least one of said members has engagement means for engaging support means for supporting at least part of the stall.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the junction between said first and second floor members forms a step with said first and second floor members being arranged so that the upper surface of said second floor member is above the upper surface of said first floor member at the junction.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said support means comprises at least one elongate member extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the stall.

17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, wherein one support member is provided towards the front of the stall and another support member is provided towards the rear of the stall.

18. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 or 17, wherein said barrier means is mounted on said support means.

19. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein said barrier means comprises a unitary member formed from a single length of tubing bent to the required shape and form.

20. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, 17, 18 or 19, wherein a transverse member extends between upper portions of said barrier means forming the two sides of a stall to enhance the rigidity of the barrier means.

21. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 20, wherein said transverse member extends between said barrier means towards the rear end of the stall.

22. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 or 16 to 21, wherein a substantially horizontally extending length of twisted rope is provided between upwardly extending portions of said barrier means.

23. A method of forming a plurality of livestock stalls comprising the steps of locating support means on part of the ground over which the stalls are to extend, locating stand means on said support means and mounting barrier means relative to said stand means so as to define the sides of said stalls.

24. A method as claimed in Claim 23, wherein said stand means and said barrier means are in pre-fabricated form.

25. A method as claimed in Claim 23 or 24, wherein said support means comprise concrete sleepers formed in situ by causing the concrete to set in channel means.

26. A method as claimed in Claim 23, 24 or 25, wherein anchor means for said barrier means are secured in said support means.

27. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 23 to 26, wherein said stand means is formed by the interengagement between at least two floor members which extend so as to be inclined relative to each other.

28. A method as claimed in Claim 27, wherein said platform members are mounted on support means at regions remote from said region of interengagement.

29. A method as claimed in Claim 28, wherein a plurality of support means are provided for each stall and said stand means comprises a first platform member which is located on, so as to extend between, first and second support means and a second platform member which is located on, so as to extend between, the second and a third support means.