Cubicle design in housed dairy and beef systems is a critical determinant of cow welfare, affecting lying time, lameness rates, injury incidence, and overall physical and psychological wellbeing.
Inadequate lying time is directly painful for cattle through fatigue and musculoskeletal strain, and causes hoof problems from excessive standing. Poorly designed cubicles cause cows to lie with legs in the slurry passage, increasing disease risk and discomfort. Cubicle design is a direct determinant of welfare outcomes and is one area where relatively straightforward management changes produce measurable welfare improvements.