The Freestall Reimagined: Effects on Stall Hygiene and Space Usage in Dairy Cattle
Modern freestall barns for dairy cattle have been constructed with considerations for dairy cow cleanliness; partitions and other stall features such as neck rails are designed to reduce manure contamination of bedding and decrease farm labor. However, cows prefer to lie in more open spaces, includi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/6/1711 |
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| author | Annabelle Beaver Emma Strazhnik Marina A. G. von Keyserlingk Daniel M. Weary |
| author_facet | Annabelle Beaver Emma Strazhnik Marina A. G. von Keyserlingk Daniel M. Weary |
| author_sort | Annabelle Beaver |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Modern freestall barns for dairy cattle have been constructed with considerations for dairy cow cleanliness; partitions and other stall features such as neck rails are designed to reduce manure contamination of bedding and decrease farm labor. However, cows prefer to lie in more open spaces, including on bedded packs and pasture. We created an “alternative” housing area by modifying a traditional freestall pen and including flexible partitions to create larger lying areas. We assessed cattle lying behaviour, including lying postures, in this alternative pen (ALT) compared to an open pack (OP) and freestalls (FS) with different stocking densities. We also assessed levels of manure contamination across systems. Cleanliness was highest in FS, but ALT provided substantial improvement compared to OP. Cattle spent more time lying down in OP and ALT compared to FS. There were few differences in postures (such as lying with limbs outstretched) between OP and ALT, but cows in both of these systems more often lay in extended positions compared to when they were housed in FS. Housing in OP and ALT was associated with reduced perching for cows with high body weight; perching has been linked to an increased prevalence of both hoof lesions and lameness. Thus, alternative lying areas can offer a solution for producers seeking to provide cattle with the advantages of a more open lying area, while improving hygiene relative to an open pack. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:37:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-507af2ba1bbf472fabb965f117517791 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:37:02Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-507af2ba1bbf472fabb965f1175177912023-11-21T23:13:16ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-06-01116171110.3390/ani11061711The Freestall Reimagined: Effects on Stall Hygiene and Space Usage in Dairy CattleAnnabelle Beaver0Emma Strazhnik1Marina A. G. von Keyserlingk2Daniel M. Weary3Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, CanadaAnimal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, CanadaAnimal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, CanadaAnimal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, CanadaModern freestall barns for dairy cattle have been constructed with considerations for dairy cow cleanliness; partitions and other stall features such as neck rails are designed to reduce manure contamination of bedding and decrease farm labor. However, cows prefer to lie in more open spaces, including on bedded packs and pasture. We created an “alternative” housing area by modifying a traditional freestall pen and including flexible partitions to create larger lying areas. We assessed cattle lying behaviour, including lying postures, in this alternative pen (ALT) compared to an open pack (OP) and freestalls (FS) with different stocking densities. We also assessed levels of manure contamination across systems. Cleanliness was highest in FS, but ALT provided substantial improvement compared to OP. Cattle spent more time lying down in OP and ALT compared to FS. There were few differences in postures (such as lying with limbs outstretched) between OP and ALT, but cows in both of these systems more often lay in extended positions compared to when they were housed in FS. Housing in OP and ALT was associated with reduced perching for cows with high body weight; perching has been linked to an increased prevalence of both hoof lesions and lameness. Thus, alternative lying areas can offer a solution for producers seeking to provide cattle with the advantages of a more open lying area, while improving hygiene relative to an open pack.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/6/1711resting behaviourstanding behaviourfree stallcubiclerestrictive housingcow cleanliness |
| spellingShingle | Annabelle Beaver Emma Strazhnik Marina A. G. von Keyserlingk Daniel M. Weary The Freestall Reimagined: Effects on Stall Hygiene and Space Usage in Dairy Cattle Animals resting behaviour standing behaviour free stall cubicle restrictive housing cow cleanliness |
| title | The Freestall Reimagined: Effects on Stall Hygiene and Space Usage in Dairy Cattle |
| title_full | The Freestall Reimagined: Effects on Stall Hygiene and Space Usage in Dairy Cattle |
| title_fullStr | The Freestall Reimagined: Effects on Stall Hygiene and Space Usage in Dairy Cattle |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Freestall Reimagined: Effects on Stall Hygiene and Space Usage in Dairy Cattle |
| title_short | The Freestall Reimagined: Effects on Stall Hygiene and Space Usage in Dairy Cattle |
| title_sort | freestall reimagined effects on stall hygiene and space usage in dairy cattle |
| topic | resting behaviour standing behaviour free stall cubicle restrictive housing cow cleanliness |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/6/1711 |
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