New

espaFLEX

Drier slatted floors & fewer emissions

Dairy cattle

Integrated slope
promotes drying
Variable
slit cover
Reduced ammonia
emissions
Animal-friendly
softness

Emission-reducing slatted flooring with slope and variable slit cover

espaFLEX is made to measure for every slatted floor geometry. 3% integrated slope from the center of the mat to the edges allows liquids to drain quickly and reliably. This enables a variably configurable slit pattern, as drainage is ensured. The release of ammonia is reduced by the fast separation of feces and urine and can be further reduced by partially closing the slurry pit by covering slits. At the same time, espaFLEX ensures animal-friendly walking comfort and excellent slip resistance.  Large-area mats extending over several slatted floor elements and our proven fixing system with patented rubber pegs ensure outstanding dimensional and form stability.

espaFLEX was awarded the DLG novelty prize "Innovation Award EuroTier 2024" in silver.

Available from November 2024.

  • Assured drainage regardless of the position, number and size of the slits
  • Simple slit reduction thanks to variably configurable slit pattern
  • Reduces ammonia release
  • Ensures drier hooves and helps support hoof health
  • Ideal for cleaning with robot collector or robot scraper
espaFLEX fact sheet
18 - 33 mm
Thickness
Custom-made
Width × length
Square imprinting with slope
Surface

Technical data

Learn more about technical details such as dimensions, accessories, installation, care, etc.

Instructions & downloads

Find and download information about the espaFLEX mat here.

Walking area mats: Safety & healthy hooves

KRAIBURG walking area mats are specially designed to meet the natural needs of cattle:

It is soft and animal friendly, thereby improving hoof health and sure-footedness. The cows express their gratitude through increased activity and enhanced performance. Lame-free cows are more fertile and have a positive impact on work and costs. Animal-friendly walking areas pay for themselves!

Relief to the hoof

Hard ground inevitably causes pressure peaks, especially at the rear outer claw and results in an incorrect load. Our rubber flooring ensures a natural sinking depth of about 3 mm. Pressure measurements carried out by the University of Leipzig on cattle hooves confirmed that pressure peaks on rubber are much smaller than on concrete. This results in enhanced pressure distribution and is comparable to the effect of walking on a pasture.

Source: Oehme et al., 2018
Source: Benz, 2002

Improved hoof health

Cattle are soft soil walkers by nature. Cows experience greater support on elastic ground and their hooves are also relieved thanks to enhanced pressure distribution. Our rubber mats are specially designed to meet these needs. This leads to a significant decrease in mechanical‐traumatic hoof damage.

Higher milk yield

The more comfortable and slip resistant the walking areas, the more active the cows in the barn. As a result, the cows not only feed more, their hooves are also healthier. Overall, these are the various positive aspects that contribute to a greater milk yield. A study by the Van Hall Institute in the Netherlands demonstrated a milk yield increase of about 3.3% per year thanks to improved walking comfort.

Source: Eelkema et al., 2004
Source: Platz et al., 2007

Natural animal behavior

It is well proven that cows walk more each day on rubber flooring than on concrete. Other natural cow behavior, such as licking on three legs to care for the skin in the udder‐thigh gap, also increases. Important for fertility management: On species‐appropriate soft walking areas, cows in heat mount or ride others more often, making estrus detection much easier.

Better fertility

More frequent mounting facilitates estrus detection. This helps to improve fertility performance on the farm. The figures speak for themselves: For instance, the calving‐to‐conception interval can be reduced significantly by using rubber mats in the walking alley.

Source: Werny, 2014
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