Cows should spend at least 6 hours a day feeding. This usually occurs by itself when animals are in the pasture: Cows pick a place to graze and start feeding. Quite often a day‐long pleasure. But things are very different in a barn: Cows have to actively seek out the feed stall (feed bunks) before they can start feeding – predominantly while standing in one and the same place. A posture that can become very stressful for their hooves over time, especially as cows are normally in constant motion.

Optimal feeding places for healthy hooves and improve feeding behavior

Beside this unnatural posture while eating, there are various other factors that can negatively affect the feeding behavior of cows in conventional feed stalls. They impact not only the optimal six‐hour feeding period, but also animal health and ultimately the profitability of a farm.

Feed Bunks Design

The natural behaviour of cows is to synchronise certain habits so that the majority of animals in the herd feed, rest and ruminate at the same time.  This natural behaviour can be restricted in housed systems, especially if there is competition for feed and lying space.

Feed bunks most commonly designed either with headlocks or with a feed barrier.

Stocking Density and Feed Barrier Design Affect the Feeding and Social Behaviour of Dairy Cattle

The choice between feed barrier and headlocks in lactating cow pens is depends on fleet management. While feed barriers allow greater freedom of movement, headlocks have the advantage of facilitating animal handling in critical pens such as the pre- and post-fresh pens and sick cow pen.

The manger surface should be 90 cm wide and smooth to encourage feeding activity. Ceramic tile or high-strength concrete performs well with silages which tend to etch concrete over time.

The feed delivery alley should be 5.5 to 6.1 m from feed curb to feed curb in order to accommodate feed delivery without driving on feed or causing injury to cows.

“However, headlocks should not be introduced for the first time to naïve animals during the transition period as this may significantly impact dry matter intake at this crucial stage“

Feed Bunk

A post and rail system allows for greater freedom of movement at the feed bunk, but there is more wasted feed and more displacements from the bunk by dominant over subordinate cows. Headlocks reduce waste and competition between neighbours.

Feed Space

Recommendations are to provide a minimum of 60cm feed space per cow but 75cm should be the target and slightly more for fresh cows and dry cows (between 85-100cm). Assume that the cows with 1m feed space had a higher dry matter intake and therefore produce more milk.

Feed Bunk space

Arguably one of the most important factors, having “ample” bunk space per animal will reduce competition at the feedbunk and promote good feed intake. Regardless of whether you are working with headlocks or feed rails, all cows need plenty of room.

Headlocks

Headlocks are a versatile feed front solution for any farm; they give any farm manager who walks on-site the ability to choose the management style that works for them.

There are three key dimensions to keep in mind when choosing headlocks for the different age groups within your facility. The height of the neck rail (or top pipe), the size of the headlock opening and the curb height will increase as your heifers grow.

It’s important to choose a long-lasting solution because the value of your headlocks is part of a long-term investment in your facility. They are designed to help you streamline work and reduce your labor requirements over a 10- to 15-year period.

Headlock sizing and curb dimensions

All of these need to be sized appropriately to be comfortable enough animals can reach the bunk floor without throat discomfort. If they can’t, it will affect the volume of feed your cows can reach and eat.

Correct curb width and feed table height ensures feed isn’t pushed away by cows trying to eat, thus minimizing the risk of wastage and reducing frequency of push-ups.

For that reason, choosing the right headlock for each age group is critical, but it’s also important to note headlocks are just one part of creating an inviting space for animals to feed.

Headlock Height

Headlocks can be mounted on 45 to 50 cm high feed curb for Holsteins, 38 to 41 cm for Jerseys, so the height of the upper edge of the lower headlock rail is 53 to 58 cm above the cow-side feed alley for Holsteins and 45 to 48 cm for Jerseys. Angle the headlock toward the feed to increase the cow’s reach.

Headlock Width

Headlocks are generally available in 50 -60-70 cm and 75 cm wide options. The latter is recommended for close-up and post fresh cows. At peak bunk utilization in pens with 60 cm wide headlocks, it is typical for only 80% to be filled (graph below). When planning facilities, it is important to realize that one headlock does not necessarily equal one feed space. A typical pattern with 60 cm wide headlocks where only 80% are filled at peak bunk utilization. While a feed space potentially exists, the cow cannot locate it.

The proportion of feed spaces should be filled through the period 90 minutes after fresh feed delivery. Headlocks were spaced at 60 cm on centre (from Mentink and Cook, 2006).

Headlock Mechanism

Choose a headlock design with a down-cow self-release mechanism. If you have large Holsteins, look for a headlock with a larger or adjustable width to provide a neck pivot point of 19 to 22 cm between the pipes when closed.

Headlock Spects

• Mount headlocks on a 40 to 50 cm high feed curb above the cow-side feed alley
• Height above the cow-side feed alley for the upper edge of the lower rail of the headlock is 40 to 50 cm for Holsteins and 36 to 45 cm for Jerseys
• Prefer 70-75 cm wide headlocks for pre- and post-fresh cows
• Check the width of the pivot point of the headlock and avoid locks that are too narrow for large Holstein cows

Curb design will be dependent on the age group you are building for, but it should be 20 cm in width to support headlocks.

Post and Rail Feed Barrier

For post and rail barriers, the feed curb should be 40 to 50 cm high on the cow-side of the bunk for Holstein cows and 35 to 45 cm for Jersey cows with the feed manger side elevated 8 to 10 cm above the cow alley. The curb should be 15 to 20 cm wide.

Feed rails 5.1 cm in diameter should be mounted 1.2 to 1.3 m above the cow-side feed alley with the rear edge of the bar 20 to 25 cm forward of the cow-side of the curb. The rail needs to be supported every 2.4 to 3 m with a vertical post.

Post and Rail Feeding Fence Standard Specifications

• Feed curb should be 53 to 58 cm high on the cow-side of the bunk for Holstein cows and 36 to 45 cm for Jersey cows
• Feed manger side should be elevated 8 to 10 cm above the cow alley
• The curb should be 15 to 20 cm wide
• Feed rails 5.1 cm in diameter should be mounted 1.2 to 1.3 m above the cow-side feed alley
• Rear edge of the feed rail should be 20 to 25 cm forward of the cow-side of the curb

Designing Feed Fronts

All feeding areas should

• Ensure easy and comfortable access to feed
• Limit feed wastage
• Provide a safe environment that won’t lead to injury
• Make feeding out easy for farm staff

These four critical elements of feedbunk design are necessary to ensure the highest long-term return on investment. So what goes into creating a comfortable, safe, easy-access feedbunk that minimizes feed waste and simplifies feeding out for your staff?

Tips and advantages of Feed bunks

• The point of the shoulder tips forward in front of the hooves to enable the cow’s mouth to reach the ground. In this grazing stance, cows produce 15 to 20 percent more saliva than cows eating horizontally.
• The production of saliva helps maintain good rumen function and limits feed wastage, as they are less likely to toss feed or practice other wasting behaviors.
• A properly designed feeding area will allow you to conveniently deliver the ration and easily clean while providing enough space for the cows to consume an adequate amount of feed without hindering their natural grazing position.
• The height of the cow side must not be too high to put pressure on the bottom of the throat or neck when the age group you are working with is in a normal eating position.
• On the feeding platform side, the eating surface should be 10 cm above the cow alleyway. The surface needs to be a non-porous, easy-to-clean material 80 to 90 cm wide with a 1 to 2 percent slope to the center of the feed alley.
• Getting the curb width and feed table height right will ensure feed isn’t pushed away by cows trying to eat. It minimizes the risk of wastage and reduces the frequency of “push-up.” It also ensures good muscular action and ensures optimal salivary production.