A Summary of Studies Comparing Stanchion and Loose Housing Barns

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Abstract
Two comparable herds of Holstein cows were housed simultaneously in a conventional stanchion barn and an uninsulated loose-housing barn over a period of 10 yrs. A 3d comparable herd was housed in an insulated loose-housing barn which was operated for 2 yrs. as a warm barn and for 4 yrs. as a cold loose-housing barn. The 6 yrs. of study with the insulated loose-housing barn coincided with the last 6 yrs. of study on the stanchion and the other loose-housing barn. The herds in these expts. produced equally well in a warm stanchion barn and a cold loose-housing barn. There was no observed relation between temp. and production. Nutrient requirements per pound of 4% milk (F.C.M.) were essentially the same for all barns. High quality milk was produced consistently under both systems of housing. The loose-housing barns required more bedding than the stanchion barn. The amt. of bedding varied with management practices and quality of bedding available. During the last 6 yrs. of the study, the amt. of bedding used in the cold loose-housing barn was approx. 60% greater than the amt. used in the stanchion barn. Cold temps. in the loose-housing barns had little, if any, effect on health of calves that were adjusted to the cold environment. Special care should be provided for new-born calves in loose-housing barns in extremely cold weather. There was little difference in the general health of animals housed under the 2 systems. However, injuries observed in the stanchion barn (stepped on teats, swollen hocks, stiffness, and lameness) were almost entirely absent in the. loose-housing barns.

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