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69. During the winter, the majority of dairy cows in this country are kept in cubicle systems. With numerous systems installed in the 1960s and 1970s, and with the increasing use of Holstein bulls, many cows are now too large to be comfortable in existing cubicles. Yet it is well known that cubicles should be as comfortable as possible to encourage maximum lying time.
70. This report does not attempt to prescribe the type or dimensions of the ideal cubicle. Variations in cattle size and cubicle design make it difficult for FAWC to suggest specific dimensions as these would not be applicable in all cases. Those intending to install cubicles, or adapt existing systems, should therefore seek specialist help from competent advisors. Buildings should be easy to clean, in order to minimise problems resulting from poor hygiene, and well-ventilated with suitable inlet and outlet ventilation. General guidelines are set out in the following paragraph.
71. Cubicle design should take into consideration the size, shape and weight of the animals. Inappropriate cubicle housing can reduce a cow's lying time which can predispose to lameness and may contribute to teat damage. A well designed cubicle permits a cow to stand comfortably with all four feet on the cubicle bed. It should be wide enough for the animal to rest without undue pressure on the body, which may restrict rumination, or cause damage to the legs and udder. There should be sufficient head room to allow her to go down, lie and rise without difficulty. There should be a gentle downward slope from the front (head end) to the back which will encourage a cow to lie facing uphill, so reducing rumen pressure on the diaphragm. It is also essential for drainage from the cubicle base.
72. The Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1994 state that, when in a building, lactating dairy cows or cows which are calving "shall have access at all times to a well-drained and bedded lying area". About 80% of a cow's weight when lying down is taken on her knees and hocks, so a dry bed which provides sufficient mechanical comfort to avoid leg problems is necessary to prevent lesions and pressure sores which may then become infected. FAWC believes that a bare, solid base is unacceptable and that each cow should be provided with a comfortable, bedded, dry lying area within the cubicle. All solid bases should be covered evenly with a suitable depth of bedding to provide cushioning. This bedding should be topped up and/or replaced at appropriate intervals for hygiene reasons. A thin layer of sawdust, chopped straw or other bedding material on a solid base can be displaced when the cow lies down. This does not therefore prevent the occurrence of contact abrasions and is not satisfactory.
73. Some farmers use rubber mats, carpets or mattresses, with or without a covering of straw or sawdust, which lie on top of the concrete base. Any
mat or mattress should be provided with some form of bedding in order to keep teats, udders and flanks clean. Other farmers use beds of non-abrasive sand on lipped cubicle bases to a depth of 75-100mm. Unless they are raked daily, with all foul material removed, and replenished as necessary, these beds are likely to become unhygienic, compacted and uncomfortable. Whatever cubicle bedding is used, the primary purpose should to be to ensure that the cow is kept in as comfortable and clean condition as possible.
74. Badly designed cubicles lead to cows spending long periods standing in the slurry passages or, commonly, half-in the cubicle with the hind feet in the slurry channel. Kerb height is most important as very high kerbs impose strain on the hind legs of animals which stand in this way. However, the kerb should not be so low that the bed of the cubicle becomes contaminated with slurry. Cows which spend much time standing in the slurry passage or half-in cubicles are likely to run an increased risk of lameness. Those which refuse to use cubicles and lie in slurry passages will become unacceptably dirty with an increased risk of mastitis, abrasions to the hocks and lameness.
75. It is most important that there is at least one cubicle per cow. Provision of extra cubicles means that subordinate animals do not find that the only spare cubicle is next to a dominant cow.
76. The accumulation of slurry in the passageways of a cubicle house can predispose to foot problems. It is important to minimise the amount of slurry, either by scraping out the passageways at least twice each day or by use of slatted passageways and by daily removal of manure from the cubicle base.
77. The use of lime, or similar proprietary products, on the cubicle base may lower the incidence of mastitis by reducing wetness and, in the short-term, killing bacteria. Provision of adequate bedding helps to prevent the skin of the cow coming into contact with these types of product which may dry out the skin causing cracking and chapping. These conditions can cause discomfort and pain and harbour bacteria, thereby increasing the risk of mastitis.
78. Where cubicles are provided, there must be at least one per cow in the management group. Each cow should have access to a cubicle and there should be a few extra available. We advise a figure of about 5% more than the cows in the management group.
79. Cubicles must be of a design, type and size so as to be comfortable and not to cause injury to the animal. They should allow cows to go down, lie and rise without difficulty.
80. Special attention should be paid to kerb height which should not be so high as to cause strain on the hind legs of cows standing half-in the cubicle, nor so low that the bed becomes contaminated.
81. It is an offence to cause or allow livestock on agricultural land to suffer unnecessary pain or unnecessary distress. Where cubicle systems are too small for modern breeds, farmers must adapt them or, preferably, have them replaced. Specialist help should be obtained from a competent advisor.
82. Cubicle passageways should be of a sufficient width to allow cows to pass one another with ease. A suggested minimum is 2.4m.
83. Cubicles must provide lying areas which are well-drained and bedded, as required by the Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1994. Sufficient cushioning should be provided with adequate bedding to keep the cow comfortable, to prevent contact sores and to keep teats, udders and flanks clean. A bare, solid base is unacceptable.
84. Cubicle bases should be kept clear of manure by daily removal. Ideally, they should be cleaned twice daily and the bedding replaced, as necessary.