Freedom of Space
Dairy Well
- Cows in tie-stall and stanchion barns should be released daily from stalls and allowed to groom and move freely (untethered)
- Stalls should provide enough space for normal rising and lying movements
- Calves should have enough space to be able to groom all parts of their body, turn fully around, and lie down
- To assess: sample each calf scored for animal-based measures and check for calves that are turned and facing the opposite direction of where their food and water is, or for presence of feces at the front of the enclosure (both indicate the calf had the ability to turn around at one point)
- Also assess space for cows in hospital pens
- Must have at least 100 sq. ft. per cow
- All animals should have access to a clean and comfortable place to rest and eat at any given time
Acceptable
Unacceptable
National Dairy Farm Program
- Housing should allow all animals to easily stand up, lie down, and adopt normal resting positions
- Animals should have visual contact with other cattle
- There should be no risk of injury from the lying area
Validus
- Tie-stalls:
- Animals must have access to co-mingled exercise for at least 2 hours per day
- Stalls must be large enough such that animals can easily stand up and lie down without hitting any part of their body
- Electric trainers must not restrict the normal eating, standing, or lying behavior of the animals
- Free stalls:
- Stalls must be large enough such that animals can easily stand up and lie down without hitting any part of their body
- Individual calf housing must allow the calf to fully turn around