By Cripps, P. J. and Faull, W. B. and French, N. P. and Hughes, J. W., Cattle Practice, 1997
Description
A pilot study was started in 1994 on 4 farms in the UK, 2 of which had decided to make substantial alterations to their existing cubicle houses, whilst the other 2 had decided to replace them with straw yards. The effects of the changes on the incidence and prevalence of lameness and on cow comfort were assessed. In an additional study investigating outdoor walking surfaces suitable for dairy cows, different tracks were prepared along a lane used regularly by a dairy herd. The cows were observed walking on the tracks noting behaviour and track selection. Uncomfortable cubicles could be made more comfortable quite simply, but no clearcut reduction in incidence and prevalence of lameness was demonstrated. Cows appeared to have maximum freedom and comfort in straw yards, and the incidence and prevalence of lameness were dramatically reduced. No change in incidence of mastitis was shown in modified cubicles nor in straw yards. Cows preferred purpose-built tracks and gateways and walked quickly and confidently along them. Wood peelings provided a satisfactory surface which needed topping up at the beginning and middle of the grazing season. It is suggested that adjacent hedges should be cut back to maintain the width of the track. A width of 1.2 m seemed better than 0.9 m
A pilot study was started in 1994 on 4 farms in the UK, 2 of which had decided to make substantial alterations to their existing cubicle houses, whilst the other 2 had decided to replace them with straw yards. The effects of the changes on the incidence and prevalence of lameness and on cow comfort were assessed. In an additional study investigating outdoor walking surfaces suitable for dairy cows, different tracks were prepared along a lane used regularly by a dairy herd. The cows were observed walking on the tracks noting behaviour and track selection. Uncomfortable cubicles could be made more comfortable quite simply, but no clearcut reduction in incidence and prevalence of lameness was demonstrated. Cows appeared to have maximum freedom and comfort in straw yards, and the incidence and prevalence of lameness were dramatically reduced. No change in incidence of mastitis was shown in modified cubicles nor in straw yards. Cows preferred purpose-built tracks and gateways and walked quickly and confidently along them. Wood peelings provided a satisfactory surface which needed topping up at the beginning and middle of the grazing season. It is suggested that adjacent hedges should be cut back to maintain the width of the track. A width of 1.2 m seemed better than 0.9 m
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