Cow Preference for Free Stall Surface Material

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Abstract
Comparative cow preference for rubber mats, carpeting and a layered mat was determined with 30 cows divided into three 10-cow groups. In alternate 2 wk, cows were assigned to one of the surfaces and then given 2 wk to select a given stall material. A 24-h observation was at the end of each 2 wk to determine stall lying and standing time. When cows were assigned to a stall surface, they spent more time occupying stalls when they were in carpeted and layered mat stalls than in rubber mat stalls. When cows were allowed to select stalls, layered stalls were used most frequently. In trial 2, a 4th group of 10 stalls was covered with a vulcanized rubber product and an additional 10 cows were used. As in trial 1, cows spent less time in stalls covered with rubber mat than in those with other surfaces. When provided a choice, cows selected stalls covered with layered and vulcanized mats. This difference in preference may be from greater compressibility of layered and vulcanized products. Cows produced the most milk during the time they were given a choice of stalls. This corresponded to the period with the greatest time of stall utilization. More data are needed before strong inferences can be drawn.

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