Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/22.1.2778
Factors determining the choice of bedding for freestall housing system in dairy cows farming - A review
Dimo DIMOV
; Department of Applied Ecology and Animal Hygiene, Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
Ivaylo MARINOV
; Department of Animal husbandry – Ruminants and Dairy Farming, Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
Abstract
The subject of the study are the most commonly used bedding materials in freestall housing system in dairy cattle
farming and the factors determining their choice. In recent years, in many countries as well as in Bulgaria there has been
a tendency to change from small dairy cattle farms to larger ones by applying intensive farming systems. Many factors
must be taken into account when developing appropriate interior design of dairy freestall barns. Among these factors
is the providing of comfortable resting places with minimal risk of body injuries and bacterial infections. The bedding
must meet many conditions: to be inexpensive, dry, not to support bacterial growth, not to contain pathogens, to be
comfortable for cows to rest, and to be compatible with the manure cleaning system. Increased amounts of bedding
have been shown to increase cow comfort by increasing the lying time, however controlling bacterial counts and udder
health requires frequent removal of bedding material. The most widely used bedding materials in dairy cattle farming
worldwide can be grouped into two main groups: organic - straw, hay (dried grass), sawdust, wood shavings, crop
residues, composted manure and paper, and inorganic: sand, limestone, gypsum, rubber mats and mattresses, cement.
When choosing bedding, first the comfort that it will provide to the animals must be considered, then whether the
bedding will properly match the manure cleaning system and last but not least the price it will cost.
Keywords
cow comfort; cow welfare; bedding materials
Hrčak ID:
254950
URI
Publication date:
28.3.2021.
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