Effects of Stall Design and Rubber Alley Mats on Cow Behavior in Freestall Barns

The objectives of these studies were to evaluate cow preference between different stall designs and effects of rubber flooring on stall use and time at the feed bunk. Both studies were conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arlington Agricultural Research Station. In the stall design study, cows could choose among seven different stall base types, each available with a U-loop and 112-cm (45-in) neck rail or a new Y2K® stall partition (Artex Fabricators, Ltd., Langley, British Columbia, Canada) and 125-cm (50-in) neck rail, without a front mounting bar. Stall status was recorded four times per day, 2 d/wk. Data collection began January 29, 2003 for a 1-mo period. Cows had a 1-mo acclimation period to the new stalls, and data were collected for another 1-mo period. Cows were observed lying significantly more (P<0.0001) often (number of times) in stalls after installation of higher neck rails and Y2K® loops. Data collection for the rubber alley mat study began August 20, 2003 for a 1-mo period. Cows had a 2-wk acclimation period to the new flooring, and data were collected for another 1-mo period. Feed alley observations were taken at 15-min intervals, 1 d/wk. Stall use observations were taken four times per day, 1 d/wk. Cows spent similar time lying in stalls, but significantly less (P<0.001) time standing in stalls when concrete alleys were covered with rubber alley mats. Cows spent more (P<0.03) time at the feed bunk after alley mats were installed, but the increase was not greater than that observed in the control pen.