Impacts of Compost Bedded Pack Barns on the Welfare and Comfort of Dairy Cows

Abstract

Three loose housing systems for lactating cows (compost bedded pack, CBP; conventional bedded pack, BP; and freestalls, FS) were assessed on one farm in terms of cow behavior and welfare. An on-farm welfare assessment based on the Welfare Quality protocols was used four times every three months on 757 cows. Video recordings taken twice over four days were used to assess behavior patterns at resting areas. Cows in CBP and BP were dirtier than those in FS (p < 0.0001). Fewer integument alterations were recorded for CBP and BP than FS (p < 0.001). Cows in BP were quicker to lie down and stand up compared to those in CBP or FS (p < 0.001). Percentages of cows needing more attempts before rising were higher for FS (p < 0.01). However, a higher frequency of kneeling was observed in CBP (p = 0.033). A lower percentage of cows lying in the resting area was recorded for FS (56%) than CBP or BP (97 or 84%, respectively, p < 0.05). Overall, in this study, cows kept in bedded pack barns were dirtier but had fewer integument alterations and spent more time lying down in the resting area than cows housed in freestalls.

Effect of forest biomass as bedding material on compost-bedded pack performance, microbial content, and behavior of nonlactating dairy cows

“…Cattle movements of lying down and getting up are affected by their environment, including the lying surface and housing system (Lidfors, 1989). Observations of lying behavior with CBP similar to or better than those reported in other facilities indicate that CBP can be an adequate system for dairy cows (Endres and Barberg, 2007;Eckelkamp et al, 2014;Fernández et al, 2020).…”

“…A compost-bedded pack (CBP) barn is a globally established loose-housing system for dairy cows that has increased in popularity. Improvements in health, welfare and performance of cows, ease of farm chores, and reduced building costs have been described in comparison to freestall and tiestall facilities (Barberg et al, 2007a;Black et al, 2013;Fernández et al, 2020). With proper management, involving twice-daily tilling and periodic bedding addition, the composting process allows manure and urine to be stored for longer periods (Barberg et al, 2007b;Janni et al, 2007;Black et al, 2013).…”

Spatio-Thermal Variability and Behaviour as Bio-Thermal Indicators of Heat Stress in Dairy Cows in a Compost Barn: A Case Study

“…The same authors explained that animals in the compost barn were more comfortable than in other systems. Such comfort is caused by the softness of the bed [ 2 ]. In another study, longer lying times in cows were influenced by both factors: the nearness of the fans and median bed temperatures [ 38 ].…”

“…Compost-bedded pack barn systems are widespread in subtropical climates. This phenomenon is due to group housing characteristics, which aids better interaction among Animals 2021, 11, 1197. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051197 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/animals Animals 2021, 11, 1197 2 of 19 animals, a reduction in mastitis and lameness caused by the use of bedding, and better thermal control [1][2][3]. However, the thermal environment could become a critical aspect in this system, mainly regarding ventilation management inside the facility.…”

Agronomic Characteristics of the Compost-Bedded Pack Made with Forest Biomass or Sawdust

“…The compost-bedded pack (CBP) is a loose housing system that is becoming more and more established on dairy farms in which cows are maintained for a long time on the compost. Improvements in the health, welfare and performance of cows, ease of farm chores and reduced building costs have been described in comparison with other housing systems [6][7][8]. The composting process allows manure and urine to be stored, as long as the pack is managed adequately, involving twice-daily tilling and periodic bedding addition [7,9,10].…”