Influence of seasonality on the comfort supplied by different materials used as cubicle flooring for dairy cows

Abstract

The comfort provided by four different cubicle floorings was evaluated with a preference test in relation to winter and summer seasons. The test showed that polyethylene vinyl acetate and polypropylene vinyl acetate mats were preferred during winter, while solid manure and wood shavings assured more comfort than inorganic floorings during summer period. Results obtained suggest that the resting comfort of cubicle floorings may be evaluated also in relation to environmental microclimatic patterns.

Keywords

• Dairy cow, Season, Free stall flooring material, Behavior.