The "Bovine Perfect Sleeper" or use of shredded rubber filled polyester mattresses to prevent injury to dairy cattle housed in tie stalls

Abstract

To reduce foot/leg injury and to improve cow comfort of 84 dairy cattle housed in tie stalls for 20 h/day, woven fibre mattresses, constructed with shredded (1 inch diameter) tyre rubber (nonsteel-belted) and a heavyweight industrial fabric, were placed in each tie stall. Approximately 300 lb of shredded tyre rubber was used per mattress at a cost of $0.05/lb, or $15.00/mattress. Three different fabric materials were examined. Type 1 fabric was a 9 oz (per square yard) polypropylene bag with rolled lap seams. Fabric type 2 was a 14.4 oz woven seamless polypropylene, while type 3 was a 20 oz woven seamless polyester/nylon. Type 1 mattress materials cost $33.50/stall, required less time and lumber to construct, but developed holes in the fabric within 1-4 months. Type 2 mattresses cost $34.20/stall, required more time and lumber, but lasted 3-6 months. Type 3 mattresses cost $29.50/stall, required the same time and lumber as type 2, and lasted 4-10 months. All 3 mattresses greatly decreased the incidence of leg and udder injuries. Mattress surfaces could be easily cleaned, but required a wood shaving cover to reduce friction on body-contact areas and to absorb moisture. The amount of bedding used was greatly reduced.