The Type of Bedding on the Welfare of Dairy Cattle

The usual surfaces for the rest of dairy cattle used by farmers in Ecuador incorporate various types of material such as straw, chaff, compost, sawdust or sand; however, there is controversy when choosing the substrate or bedding material that will be used as a resting surface for this species. Consequently, the objective of this review was to refer to the type of bed indicated for the practice of dairy production on cattle welfare. The primary material of the facilities for dairy cattle, lodging, milking, feeding platforms, corridors and rest surfaces is made of concrete, and this material is not the determining factor on the product yields and determination of the well-being of cattle. It is well known that dairy cattle avoid concrete and wet surfaces and spend less time lying down. Therefore, including substrates such as straw, sand and rubber mats are the solution to improve the welfare of this species. In conclusion, this review showed that litter with clean and dry materials, regardless of origin, improves the welfare of the animals.