A Flowchart for evaluating dairy cow freestalls

Abstract

A flow chart system has been developed to evaluate dairy freestalls. It details 4 critical points: adequate surface cushion, adequate body resting space, lunge room for head thrust and an unobstructed bob-zone, and adequate height below and behind the neck rail. Surface cushion is considered to be the most important factor in determining stall usage. If the stall allows a full forward lunge, the configuration of the stall divider has little importance. If side lunge is required, the exact height of the divider rails is critical. Several clinical problems that result from inadequate stalls are discussed.