By Boon, C. and Collins, E. and Enevoldsen, C. and Hindhede, J., ,
Description
Deep bedded pack (DBP) barns were studied to characterize the performance of housed cattle as compared against those housed in tie stall and free stall barns. Functionality of DBP barns was examined, along with effects on hygiene, udder health, foot disorders and milk yield. Frequency of dirty teats was not higher in DBP barns than in tie stall and free stall barns. Housing systems did not generally affect the frequency of mastitis, but for the DBP barns there was a tendency toward lower frequency in the 3rd and 4th quarters of the year. Frequency of laminitic lesions and heel horn erosions was not significantly different between the different housing systems studied. Milk yield, measured in energy corrected milk (ECM), was higher in tie stall barns than in DBP or free stall barns, but variation among herds was concluded to be more important than the relatively small variations attributed to housing systems
Deep bedded pack (DBP) barns were studied to characterize the performance of housed cattle as compared against those housed in tie stall and free stall barns. Functionality of DBP barns was examined, along with effects on hygiene, udder health, foot disorders and milk yield. Frequency of dirty teats was not higher in DBP barns than in tie stall and free stall barns. Housing systems did not generally affect the frequency of mastitis, but for the DBP barns there was a tendency toward lower frequency in the 3rd and 4th quarters of the year. Frequency of laminitic lesions and heel horn erosions was not significantly different between the different housing systems studied. Milk yield, measured in energy corrected milk (ECM), was higher in tie stall barns than in DBP or free stall barns, but variation among herds was concluded to be more important than the relatively small variations attributed to housing systems
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