| Outcomes of Nasek / Improving animal welfare / Laying areas / Free stall stable | Wednesday 11.2.2009 |
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Free stall barn In the present time, the most common stables which are new build, are free stall stables. The whole stable has a construction that allows the cows to walk freely around. The animal welfare can be very good in this kind of stables, but this depends on the management and on stables features like floors, water supply and feeding racks. There are special areas in the stable where the cows are allowed to lay down.
Today there are two different main ways to build the laying area.
- Laying boxes (it divides tha laying are in smaller places) - Laying areas with deep-straw bedding
A big disadvantage of this stable is that bacteria are spread easily over the whole stable. And especially the laying areas are a proper environment for bacteria. Since cows spend more than 12 hours a day with laying, the management is very important for udder healthness and welfare
For further information about how a free stall stable should be build have a look at the following canadian webpage: Free stall dimensions
Back to "Laying areas" Page updated 21.11.2005 |
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