Because of their high level of cow comfort, deep bedding stalls have become increasingly more popular. The ideal deep bedding freestall
forms a pleasantly soft and dry cow bed that can change shape and adapts sufficiently to the cow’s curves.
It is resilient and has excellent slip-resistance. In this way, the weight of the cow is evenly distributed over the surface of the bed to avoid any pressure points. In addition, a good layer of bedding gives the cow sufficient grip when lying down and getting to her feet. It also gives the cow a “soft landing” when lying down.
Ideally, a deep bedding stall should be easy to clean and the cows should work as little litter as possible out of the cubicle. The latter saves on bedding costs. Various experiments have shown that housing dairy cows in deep bedding stalls gives a longer lifespan and higher life performance than housing on mattresses. This will benefit both economics and animal welfare.
