A CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT BEDDING MATERIALS ON ANIMAL WELFARE AND PRODUCTION IN DAIRY CATTLE

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the influence of different bedding materials on their influence on animal welfare and production in dairy cattle and if there is one bedding material better than all the others. Sand, wood shavings / sawdust, straw, recycled manure solids or mattresses can act as a bedding material. Their influence on cleanliness, lying behavior and lameness, as animal welfare parameter and the effect on milk and under, as well as on reproduction, as production parameter, were evaluated. Different materials bring different advantages and disadvantages related to welfare and production parameter. Therefore, the decision for a certain bedding material is very individual and is influenced by several factors.