Stall function and comfort
Related researchprojects
- Effect of floor condition on dairy cow gait
- Horse welfare of horses in Horse assisted interventions
- Smells like welfare - Using odours to improve welfare and reduce stress of animals and humans working together
- SmellWell
- Smell This! - Improving enrichment materials for pigs using odours
- Can cows learn from observing other cows?
A focus area within the subject of Animal Environment and Building Function at the Department of Biosystems and Technology.
For good animal welfare and health, the stable is of utmost importance for the animals' health and well-being. Especially in stables for livestock production where many animals live together in a restricted space, many times a tough environment can threaten the hierarchy, causing injuries and culling of weaker animals. Our research aim to optimize each functional area of the stable such as where the animals are walking, standing, lying, resting,feeding and being milked.
An optimized function means, among other things, that the floor where the animals walk and stand should be soft and non-slip while it should wear the claws somewhat and promote mobility. The lying area shall comfortable and able to be kept clean in a rational manner and shall not cause traumatic injuries. The house should be large enough that the animal can behave normally with good cow traffic. It should be designed and equipped with facilities to keep a good hygiene and reduce risks for traumatic injuries.