Effects of Fermented Manure Bedding Thickness on Bulls' Growth, Behavior, and Welfare as Well as Barn Gases Concentration in the Barn.
Authors: Niu Kaifeng, Zhang Xinxin, Chen Chao, Yang Liguo
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Fermented manure bedding has emerged as a promising alternative to bare concrete flooring in cattle housing, yet optimal depth recommendations remain unclear. Researchers randomly assigned 36 Simmental bulls (7–9 months old) to three bedding treatments—no bedding (concrete control), 15 cm shallow fermented bedding, and 30 cm deep fermented bedding—and monitored growth performance, behavioural indicators, welfare metrics, and barn air quality over the study period. Bulls on deep fermented bedding achieved significantly superior average daily gains and feed conversion ratios compared to both shallow bedding and concrete; they also demonstrated improved hoof condition, superior body cleanliness, and extended lying periods, whilst ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations in the barn were substantially lower in the deep bedding treatment (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that deep fermented manure bedding (30 cm) warrants serious consideration by producers seeking to enhance cattle performance and welfare simultaneously, particularly given the marked reduction in noxious gases that benefits both animal health and facility air quality—though farriers and veterinarians should note the implications for hoof care protocols when working with cattle maintained on such systems versus concrete surfaces.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •For beef cattle operations, implementing 30 cm deep fermented manure bedding significantly improves animal growth rates and reduces respiratory health risks from barn ammonia and CO2 accumulation
- •Deep bedding systems reduce hoof problems and promote natural lying behavior, which directly supports animal welfare and may reduce veterinary intervention costs
- •Shallow bedding (15 cm) provides intermediate benefits; if deep bedding is not feasible, it remains substantially better than concrete floors for both animal welfare and barn air quality
Key Findings
- •Deep fermented bedding (30 cm) produced optimal average daily gain and feed-to-gain ratio compared to shallow bedding (15 cm) and concrete floors (p < 0.05)
- •Deep fermented bedding resulted in lowest ammonia and CO2 concentrations in the barn environment compared to other treatments (p < 0.01)
- •Lying time and hoof health were significantly improved in deep fermented bedding group versus shallow bedding and concrete floor groups
- •Fermented manure bedding thickness of 30 cm provides superior improvements in bull welfare, growth performance, and air quality compared to 15 cm or concrete flooring