• It is a system of housing in which animals are kept loose in an open paddock throughout the day and night except at the time of milking and during treatment.
• It involves low cost of construction with scope for expansion, facilitates detection of animals in heat, and animals get optimum exercise.
• In this system, shelter is provided along one side of open paddock under which animals can retire when it is very hot or cold or during rains.
• Common feed manger and water tank is provided and concentrates are fed at the milking time which is done in a separate milking barn or parlour in which cows are secured at milking time and are milked.
• The open paddock is enclosed by means of half walls or plain wire fences of convenient height.

Advantages

• Cost of construction is cheaper.
• Future expansion is possible.
• The animals will move freely so that it will get sufficient exercise.
• The animal can be kept clean.
• Common feeding and watering arrangement is possible.
• Clean milk production is possible because the animals are milked in a separate milking barn.
• Oestrus detection is easy.
• At least 10-15 percent more stock than standard can be accommodated for shorter period.

Disadvantages

• It is not suitable for temperate Himalayan region and heavy rainfall areas.
• It requires more floor space.
• There is competition for feed.
• Attention of individual animal is not possible.
• A separate milking barn is needed for milking of animals.