EFFECT OF RUBBER VS. CONCRETE FLOORING ON ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AND HEALTH IN A DAIRY COW HOUSE

effect of using rubber mats in the walking alleys for dairy housing was investigated in a commercial farm having a barn divided in two separate sectors with the floor of the walking alleys made one of concrete and one of rubber mats. Observations were made concerning the animal behaviour measuring some specific walking parameters and the feet pathologies occurred during one year of exercise were recorded. The results showed some improvement of animal condition with rubber mats, revealed by a greater standing, time, the walking… and the lower frequency of feet pathologies. Particularly relevant was the phenomenon of some cows lying in the alley with rubber floor, problem that can be prevented by proper design and choice of materials