Cubicle housing is the most common system for housing dairy cows in the UK and cubicle design has major implications for cow comfort, health and welfare.
Cubicle housing welfare is closely linked to design quality. Cows in poorly designed cubicles spend less time lying, leading to leg and foot problems, metabolic issues and reduced milk yield. Cubicle size, surface type and positioning relative to feed and water all affect how cows use them. Regular assessment of lying time using leg accelerometers provides valuable welfare data.