Cleanliness in calf husbandry –
ventilation matters

During calf husbandry in fully slatted pens, it can happen that the floor is too moist. This results in dirty
animals. Mistakenly, the condition of the floor is often considered the cause. Instead, excessively damp
slats and dirty animals indicate deficiencies in the air quality.

Concrete is open-pored, rubber is closed-pored

The open-pore surface of concrete allows urine scale and bacteria to settle, something that is not possible when using rubber. Due to its closed-pored surface, rubber is therefore much more hygienic and easier to clean. In contrast to concrete, rubber does not absorb moisture. The fact that the floor in the calf pen is too damp is an indication of deficiencies in the ventilation and / or too soft faeces consistency due to feeding.

An optimal slit width and curved surface promote cleanliness

The wider the slit, the better the cleanliness. When using concrete slats for calves, a maximum slit width of
25 mm is allowed. According to the German ordinance on the protection of farm animals (TierSchNutztV), the slit in a rubber mat may be 30 mm. In case 30 mm rubber mats are combined with 35 mm concrete slats, the passage is further optimized. In terms of cleanliness, the best experiences have been made with using such a combination. Also, rubber mats with a curved surface contribute to improved cleanliness. In this way, moisture is quickly drained away and the surfaces dry better.

New version of the German ordinance on the protection of farm animals (TierSchNutztV) requires conversion to rubber

In livestock housing, the required conversion of concrete slats can be done easily and precisely by covering them with soft-elastic floor mats. However, plastic grids will be prohibited in the future. Direct covering of plastic grids with rubber is not recommended. In this case, there are special solutions which KRAIBURG has developed together with its partners. If you need more information, please contact us at any time and we will be happy to advise you.

Contact person calf/bull fattening: juerg.wiesendanger@kraiburg-elastik.de

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Cleanliness in calf husbandry – ventilation matters

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