Document type: scientific review published in Journal of Applied Animal Research
Authors: Keane, M. P., Cuevas-Gómez, I., & Earley, B.
Preview: This review evaluates current knowledge on how flooring and space conditions influence beef cattle welfare and growth performance. Flooring type and space allowance are key environmental factors affecting animal comfort, hygiene, and performance. Optimizing these elements is essential to promote welfare while maintaining production efficiency. Straw bedding, and rubber mats (RM) placed over concrete slatted floors, enhance comfort and support natural behaviours, including lying and rising. Cattle show a clear preference for softer flooring, which reduces slipping and increases mobility. While RM can reduce slipping and enhance comfort, its impact on cleanliness is variable, depending on environmental and management conditions. RM use may also support improved growth performance in finishing steers, though outcomes differ based on age, mat characteristics, and space allowance. Health benefits include reductions in lameness and locomotor issues, but prolonged RM can lead to claw overgrowth. Straw bedding and increased space allowance significantly improve animal welfare outcomes without compromising performance. Absolute space allowances often yield inconsistent results. However, using allometric k-values offers a more reliable measure of space requirements relative to animal size. Future research should refine space and explore long-term flooring impacts on hoof health. These insights can guide housing strategies that support animal welfare and performance.
