Effect of Space Allowance, Access to Bedding, and Flock Size in Slatted Floor Systems on the Production and Health of Dairy Heifers

Abstract An experiment was conducted on seven Danish commercial dairy farms with 200 Danish Friesian heifers (315 kg) in 152 days from the month of November. Founded on existing slatted floor systems, 32 experimental pens were established with Low (L) or High (H) space allowance (1.5 vs. 3.0 m2 per animal), different type of separate lying area (Slatted (S) vs. Bedded (B) floor) and different flock size (6 vs. 12 animals). Eating spaces were standardized to about 50 cm per animal. Ad libitum feeding was practised and rations contained a maximum 30% concentrates (dry matter). An increase in space allowance from 1.5 to 3.0 m2 per animal in pens with fully slatted floors increased the live weight gain by 174 g day−1 or 31% (P = .04) and net energy intake per kg live weight gain was reduced by 23% (P = .04). Heifers housed in small pens lay down less than heifers in large pens. Access to bedding affected number of lying periods. Production, however, was not influenced by access to a bedded lying area. Flock s...

[1]  S. Siegel,et al.  Nonparametric Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences , 2022, The SAGE Encyclopedia of Research Design.

[2]  T. E. Bond,et al.  Influence of space on performance of feedlot cattle. , 1970 .

[3]  S. R. Morrison,et al.  Effect of Floor Space Allotment and Animal Group Size on Beef Cattle Performance , 1981 .

[4]  P. A. Murphy,et al.  Comparative Mortality and Morbidity Rates for Cattle on Slatted Floors and in Straw Yards , 1983 .

[5]  M. Pougin,et al.  Zur Anpassung von Jungrindern an die Spaltenbodenhaltung unter Berücksichtigung von Verhaltensmerkmalen, Klauenveränderungen und Blutserumenzymen , 1983 .

[6]  I. Thysen.  Application of Event Time Analysis to Replacement, Health and Reproduction Data in Dairy Cattle Research , 1988 .

[7]  H. Bradley,et al.  Subclinical laminitis in dairy heifers , 1989, The Veterinary Record.

[8]  David J. Hand,et al.  Analysis of Repeated Measures , 1990 .

[9]  A. Meek,et al.  Tail-tip necrosis in Ontario feedlot cattle: two case-control studies. , 1990 .

[10]  J. Noordhuizen,et al.  A cross-sectional study into prevalence and risk indicators of digital haemorrhages in female dairy calves , 1992 .

[11]  E. Noordhuizen-Stassen,et al.  A cross-sectional study of prevalence and risk factors of dermatitis interdigitalis in female dairy calves in the Netherlands , 1993 .

[12]  H. R. Andersen,et al.  Space Allowance and Type of Housing for Growing Cattle: A Review of Performance and Possible Relation to Neuroendocrine Function , 1993 .