Neue Materialien als Einstreu in Liegeboxen von Milchviehställen

Summary

Sand, compost and recycled manure solids are used on some commercial farms as bedding material in cubicles as an alternative to conventional straw mattresses or soft rubber mats. The aim of the present studies was to evaluate these bedding materials in dairy-cow cubicles in terms of process engineering, animal welfare, hygiene, work economics and farm management. From an animal welfare and hygienic point of view, these mentioned materials are recognized as safe. Where sand is used as bedding, the working-time requirement for cubicle maintenance is comparable to that for soft rubber mats; where compost and recycled manure solids are used, it is comparable to that for straw mattresses. The material costs for sand are high, whilst those for compost are low. Investment in a liquid manure separator is only worthwhile for relatively large farms or for use in farming collectives.