Moving floor for dairy cows - effects on cow comfort and hygiene?

The aim of the project was to investigate how cubicles with Moving Floor (MF), ie self-cleaning mat and automatic addition of bedding material, affects the comfort and hygiene of dairy cows. The hypotesis was that the MF-concept does not affect the cubicle comfort and leads to cleaner cows which is positive for animal welfare as it decreases the risk for skin lesions and udder infections. For practical reasons, it was unfortunately not possible to perform the main part of the project. Thus, it is not possible to tell how the MF affects dairy cow comfort and hygiene. The results of the experimental part study indicate, however, that the cubicle mat is much cleanre in a MF-cubicle than in a conventional cubicle which should result in cleaner cows which is positive for animal welfare.