Cow Comfort

Definition

Cow comfort can be regarded as the degree of stress or lack of it related to the environment in which the animal is confined. The term may be applied to climatic conditions, physical discomfort, social confrontation with other cows or changes in behavior resulting from managemental practices or housing facilities.

Suggested guidelines for Evaluated Cow Comfort

(Adapted from: Dairy Freestall Housing and Equipment, Iowa State U).

Exact measurements depend on the size of the animals being housed. Please note that these are suggested guidelines and do not apply under every circumstance. If, after considering the points made, you feel that there is a "cow comfort problem" please consult an expert if you intend to institute changes in your facilities.

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Free Stalls

Size

The length of the stall should be 2.44 to 2.74 m depending on the stature of the cow.

The width of the stall should not be less than 1.2 m except for stalls used exclusively by heifers.

The back of the partition should be 35cm in front of the curb.

There is no huge space in the above stalls, and no ventilation in the wall in front of the cows. The partition is fixed to the standing at the rear of the stall, thereby increasing the risk of accidental damage.

Slopes

Front to back slope should not be less than 4% (4 cm in each meter). AVOID increasing the slope by packing bedding to the front. The slope down the stalls should also be 4% to encourage the cows to lie with their feet down the slope.

Occupancy

If less than 98% of cows use stalls, the cause of stall rejection should be investigated.

Neck Rail

Located 1.5 and 1.6 cm from the curb and from 90 to 106 cm above the level of the curb.

Stall refusal is often caused by the placement of the neck rail. AVOID USING CABLES.

This cow has inadequate space in front of her. This could be due to inadequate stall length but, in this case, the bedding was built up in front of the animal.

Brisket Board

Usually required 1.48 to 1.60 meters from the curb. As the cow rises she "lunges" forward. Allow one meter in front of the brisket board for the head and lunge. For side lunging this distance can be halved.

Desirable Number of Stalls

Ideally there should be more than one stall per cow. If first-calf heifers are included in the group, there should be at least 10% more stalls than animals.

Stall Bedding

Bedding makes the stall comfortable thereby decreasing stall refusal. Reduces the potential for injuries.

Straw or Sawdust

Absorbs moisture, however, wet bedding encourages bacterial populations to increase. Collects manure which tracks into stall. Short, fine bedding reduces amount dragged into alleys.

Mats

Solid or honeycomb rubber or plastic mats or dimensional mattresses tend to be expensive and not cost-effective.

Sand

Sand is ideal in hot climates and increases cow comfort, however, sand causes drainage problems and increases wear on equipment.

Mattresses

Mattresses are constructed from rolls of tough fabric 3 to 3.5 meters wide. The material is rolled down the entire alley, overlapping the free stall by 1 meter. Straw or other material is placed over the free stall to a compressed thickness of 10cm. The free edge is then folded over the bedding and fixed at the front of the free stall.

Alleys

Width

Stall alleys should be at least 3.75 meters wide. A feed and stall alley should be at least 4.25 meters wide. Narrow alleys are the common cause of social confrontation. Concrete surfaces must be provided with grooves 1 cm deep. The direction of the grooves must either be in a diamond pattern or run across the line of the animal's progression. It should be noted that the space between the rear of the cow lying in the stall and the cows standing at the feed bunk is insufficient to permit two cows to pass.

Water Supply

Provide at least one watering space for every 15-20 cows. Water bowls deliver water at 4.5 kg/min but most cows drink at the rate of 16 to 27 kg/min. There should be 65 cm tank perimeter or one bowl for every 10 dairy cows on low dry matter feed and one bowl for every six cows on a high dry matter diet. Stray voltage decreases water intake. Limit water depth to 15-20 cm for fresher water and less debris. Provide drains for easy, regular cleansing. Waiting in line reduces the flow of blood through the feet. Provide more waterers and more space when first-calf heifers are housed with older cows. Slippery floors around waterers (wet, ice) can deter cattle from drinking, especially if competition is present.

Ventilation of the Barn

The ridge should be open. Depending on the climate, opening sidewalls or windows should be provided.

The Stalls

A direct flow of air over the bedded area is highly desirable to keep the bedding dry and control the numbers of bacteria.

Holding Pen

Cows must not be held in the pen for a total of more than three hours each day. Holding pens must be covered, have a 4% slope, be grooved and cleansed according to the number of animals being held.

Free-Stall Maintenance Cleansing

Alleys must be scraped or flushed at least twice each day.

Bedding

Check twice each day. Add more material once each week. Do NOT throw too much bedding to the front of the stall.

Bunk Space Size

60 cm of bunk space should be allowed for each cow. At least one space for each cow should be provided. If first-calf heifers are included in the group, the number of spaces should exceed the number of animals by 10%.

Occupancy

If 10% of the cows are still standing one hour after their first opportunity to feed, this is an indication that some may be rejecting stalls.

Discussion

The term "cow comfort" is one relatively new to our vocabulary. It has been said we build facilities for man's convenience, not for the comfort of the cow.

Cow comfort has been judged mainly on subjective evaluation but, fortunately, a number of research workers are now making this a particular study. This topic is closely associated with the behavior of cattle. Modern intensive farming methods and breeding for production and high yields are collectively stressing cattle more than ever. This collective topic is being increasingly addressed.

I have not attempted to deal with another aspect of this topic, namely, the role of the dairyman. Mill and Ward published a paper entitled "Lameness in dairy cattle and farmers' knowledge, training and awareness"(Vet Rec 1993 134: 162-164). These workers have found that the knowledge and awareness of the production team have a profound influence on the incidence of lameness.

If you are interested in trying your hand at evaluating the cow comfort index of a farm, see the cow comfort table.