Relocating from tying stall to cubicle barn: Pay close attention to bovine claws!

Cows that are able to move freely around a barn are healthier, more fertile and produce greater milk
yields. Nevertheless, transition to a new husbandry system initially represents a big challenge. The claws,
in particular, have to get used to the added movement. Healthy claws are a prerequisite for healthy cows in cubicle barns. Therefore, measures must be taken to ensure relocation is as claw friendly as possible.

Implementing good practice when trimming claws

Cows that were previously housed in tying stalls are not used to moving around on concrete floors all day.
Further, if the claws are cut too severely right before relocation, there will not be enough claw horn to prevent
claw wear and to dampen compression. The result is lameness, which in turn negatively impacts udder health and milk productivity. It is therefore important that animals are re-housed with the thickest possible claw sole. After the cows have settled in to their new surroundings, professional claw trimming is essential to gradually correct the claw angle and to establish a good claw wall. This helps to relieve pressure on the claw sole.

Covering rough floors

If the cows move around on concrete, it is often too rough for their sensitive claws – and the floor should
therefore be covered with a soft material (e.g. manure, sawdust). The better solution is to permanently equip walking alleys with rubber mats.

Rubber mats for claw-friendly acclimatisation and as a long-term solution for healthy claws

Rubber mats help to simulate natural soil conditions in barns. The longer outer claw of the cow sinks into the soft material, thereby optimizing the distribution pattern of pressure over the entire claw. This is the precondition for healthy claws and active, agile cows in cubicle barns. The rubber floor covering therefore not only helps protect bovine claws after leaving tying stalls – but also provides the best solution for a well-managed cubicle barn in the long term. The KRAIBURG KURA walking alley mat has been proving its effectiveness in dairy barns around the world for the past 20 years.

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Relocating from tying stall to cubicle barn: Pay close attention to bovine claws!