Slats welfare discussion

[Sheeponfire]

Couple of high welfare heifers,straight off the comfort mats this morning sold to top class butchers in Ayr market today.View attachment 608510

thats top class trade...

"take a bow son"

 

[sheepwise]

@sheepwise You've put some useful information on this thread, its good to have some feedback from someone who actually uses this setup, would you be able to share some pictures of your shed and cattle in it? By PM if you prefer.

Will do my best over next couple of days.

 

[Sid]

You can’t compare force fed geese with cattle that eat what they want....stop talking rubbish

What i was showing is that animals don't have to be happy to grow.
The geese are forcefed it must be unpleasant but yet grow.

Hilly said: ↑
Cattle always look good on slatts if they didnt like them were unhappy etc etc etc they wouldnt perform but they do !
Unhappy cattle could be the same?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

What i was showing is that animals don't have to be happy to grow.
The geese are forcefed it must be unpleasant but yet grow.

Hilly said: ↑
Cattle always look good on slatts if they didnt like them were unhappy etc etc etc they wouldnt perform but they do !
Unhappy cattle could be the same?

But in the video I posted the cattle could be seen playing, fighting and buck jumping...animals only do that when they’re happy and fit.......look all mine are on straw yards and ido like to see them all laid out in deep straw but I’m not that narrow minded I won’t see both sides....if I could afford it I’d put a shed up on slats (with comfort slats) for my suckler cows tomorrow

 

[Sid]

But in the video I posted the cattle could be seen playing, fighting and buck jumping...animals only do that when they’re happy and fit.......look all mine are on straw yards and ido like to see them all laid out in deep straw but I’m not that narrow minded I won’t see both sides....if I could afford it I’d put a shed up on slats (with comfort slats) for my suckler cows tomorrow

I am not narrowed minded just consumer focused.
Educate the consumer on rubber slats but ban the non rubber ones if they don't like the idea of cattle being on them.

Those cattle in the video are not stocked at a density enough to make the slats work?

 

[Cowgirl]

I shall never be convinced that cattle on slats are as "happy" as cattle on straw, but I'm old fashioned and it's a personal thing probably. I'm sure cattle will eat, grow, and even play if they have room, on slats, but will they rest? It must be as important as anything else for weight gain?

 

[Cowgirl]

 

[sheepwise]

View attachment 608656

Is it dead? Has it smothered in all that straw?

 

[Cowgirl]

Haha!

 

[Northeastfarmer]

View attachment 608656

How do those cubicles work with that much straw into the passage?

 

[Cowgirl]

It's a very old building with tiny cubicles - the older calves and yearlings tend to lie in them but the cows don't - by the end of the winter it's just a straw yard really.
My point was that the cow was so deeply asleep she didn't hear me and the calves sleep too - must be good for their growth?

 

[sheepwise]

I am not narrowed minded just consumer focused.
Educate the consumer on rubber slats but ban the non rubber ones if they don't like the idea of cattle being on them.

Those cattle in the video are not stocked at a density enough to make the slats work?

Where are these consumers that are so concerned about slats? Are you trying to create some? Remember, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing and I am quite sure many could be convinced that housing dairy cows all year on robots is a terrible thing even although the welfare standards in most of these modern units is first class.

 

[Cowgirl]

Vegan militants perhaps?

 

[Sid]

Where are these consumers that are so concerned about slats? Are you trying to create some? Remember, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing and I am quite sure many could be convinced that housing dairy cows all year on robots is a terrible thing even although the welfare standards in most of these modern units is first class.

You have to be infront of the curve not behind it.

I agree housing ayr cows on robots or parlour is not the image the consumer expects.

 

[sheepwise]

You have to be infront of the curve not behind it.

I agree housing ayr cows on robots or parlour is not the image the consumer expects.

We tried to be in front of the curve by investing in buildings with both welfare and economy of production in mind.The price of straw in the west of Scotland this year makes most bedded systems uneconomical.

 

[hillman]

We tried to be in front of the curve by investing in buildings with both welfare and economy of production in mind.The price of straw in the west of Scotland this year makes most bedded systems uneconomical.

That is a thing some folk forget, location has a huge factor to play in your choice of buildings , yes we would love to have them up to their bellies in straw but it's not practical for most due to some circumstances so you go for the next best alternative which is matted slats

 

[Henarar]

You have to be infront of the curve not behind it.

I agree housing ayr cows on robots or parlour is not the image the consumer expects.

have you seen cattle on these modern slats first hand ?

 

[Henarar]

View attachment 608656

they look happy and clean

 

[beefandsleep]

It's a very old building with tiny cubicles - the older calves and yearlings tend to lie in them but the cows don't - by the end of the winter it's just a straw yard really.
My point was that the cow was so deeply asleep she didn't hear me and the calves sleep too - must be good for their growth?

Sounds a right ball ache to clean out in the spring.

 

[Sid]

have you seen cattle on these modern slats first hand ?

Yes and cattle in slats with not rubber lying on bare concrete.

I would like to see those advocating slats to spend a night sleeping on them.

I always say to anyone maintaining the cubicles if you wouldn't lie in there don't expect a cow to. Clean dry and bedded.