Adult Cow Freestall Dimensions Key Points for Adult Cows
• Larger cows need more resting space than smaller cows
• In mixed groups, compromises may be needed accommodate the range of body sizes
• Optimal stall widths will only work well where attention to front lunge space is given so that diagonal
lying is avoided
• Larger, more spacious stalls need correctly-designed divider loops and brisket locators to prevent
manure contamination of the bed
The freestall dimensions chosen for a group of dairy cows on a given farm depend on:
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The size of the cows being housed
The tolerance of the farmer for tending to manure-contaminated stalls
In general, it is recommended that stalls be sized to provide for the largest 25% of cows in the group. However,
compromises may have to be made if the group consists of greater than 50% first lactation heifers in a mixed agegroup pen, and where there is intolerance of manure contamination of the stall.
Diagonal lying, which can lead to manure contamination in the corners of the stalls, may be caused by:
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Stalls being too short, either against a sidewall or opposite an occupied stall, inhibiting forward lunge
Stalls having forward lunge space obstructions, such as transverse stall divider mounting bars and
deterrent bars which are between the stall surface and 38 inches (97 cm) above the surface
Stalls having brisket locators higher than 4 inches (10 cm) above the stall surface, which prevent the
forward thrust of the forelimb during the rising movement
Stalls having brisket locators placed too near the rear curb, restricting lying space Sufficient space must be provided in front of the stall so the cow lies straight and lunges forward. Stall Length
Typical lunge space for a mature Holstein cow is an additional 3 to 4 feet (91 to 122 cm) beyond the resting
length, making the total required stall length against a sidewall around 10 feet (3 m). In head-to-head stalls, a
platform of 17 to 18 feet (5.2 to 5.5 m) is recommended to allow forward lunging, while avoiding the cow in the
opposing stall.
Lying position and lunge behavior in stalls against a sidewall (a, b, c). If stalls are made wider with no
improvement in lunge space, cows may lie across the stall more (b). For cows to lie straight and reap the benefits
of wider stalls, we must lengthen the stall to allow forward lunge (c).
In head-to-tail barn layouts or in stalls along drover's alleys, the front retaining wall should be no higher than 18 to
20 inches (46 to 51 cm) above the alley floor.
School of Veterinary Medicine Ÿ Food Animal Production Medicine Section University of Wisconsin–Madison Ÿ 2015 Linden Drive Ÿ Madison, WI 53706 Ph: 608-­‐262-­‐6800 Ÿ TheDairylandInitiative.vetmed.wisc.edu The Guide to Welfare-­‐Friendly Dairy Cattle Housing Adult Cow Freestall Dimensions In head-to-head stalls, short platforms of 14 to 15 feet (4.3 to 4.6 m) lead to social obstructions to forward lunge
and cows will lunge to the side. Minimum recommendation for head-to-head stall platform length is 16 feet (4.9
m). 17 feet (5.2 m) is preferred. Longer platforms will create issues with divider loop stability, which needs to be
addressed when increasing the platform length.
Lying position and lunge behavior in head-to-head stalls (a, b, c). If stalls are made wider on a short platform, the
cow opposite an occupied stall is forced to lunge to the side and lie diagonally across the stall (b). For the cows to
lie straight on both sides of the platform, front lunge must be provided by separating the cows from each other on
a 17 to 18 foot platform (5.2 to 5.5 m).
Stall Width
Stall width recommendations aim to prevent disturbances between neighboring cows and facilitate rising and lying
movements. In remodeled barns we must be prepared to make compromises by adjusting stall width for:
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Space allowance in the barn - for example, the distance between the cross alleys in a row of stalls must
be dividable by a whole number of stalls
Risk factors for diagonal lying - if we make a stall wider, but do not improve lunge room or forward stride
obstructions such as high brisket locators, cows will show a greater tendency for diagonal lying
Brisket Locators, Stall Dividers & Rear Curb
Brisket locators and divider mountings that are correctly located and fitted will help reduce the risk of diagonal
lying. See the Brisket Locator and Stall Divider pages of The Dairyland Initiative website for more information.
The rear curb should be high enough to limit manure contamination of the stall during manure scraping or
flushing, but low enough to facilitate exit from the stall. This is a particular challenge for lame cows and first
lactation heifers. A reasonable compromise for mature cows is to have the curb 8 inches (20 cm) high above the
alley in a sand stall, but in a mattress stall the concrete platform should be 7 inches (18 cm) high above the alley
with a 2 inch (5 cm) rise to the brisket locator position to allow for the addition of the mattress.
Every piece of the freestall design is important for the safety and comfort of the cow. Each component works only
as well as expected if every other component is properly designed and installed.
More information and videos can be found on the Freestall Dimensions page of the Dairyland Initiative website.
For more information, visit TheDairylandInitiative.vetmed.wisc.edu
Copyright 2015 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
Stall Dimension (inches) Adult Cow Freestall Dimensions 1000 42 96 Body Weight Estimate (lbs) 1200 1400 1600 1800 45 48 50 54 108 108 120 120 2000 57 126 Center-­‐to-­‐center stall divider placement (stall width) (A) Total stall length facing a wall (B1) Outside curb to outside curb distance for head-­‐to-­‐head platform 180 192 192 204 204 216 (B2) Distance from rear curb to rear of brisket locator (C) 64 66 68 70 72 75 Width of rear curb (D) 6-­‐8 6-­‐8 6-­‐8 6-­‐8 6-­‐8 6-­‐8 Horizontal distance between rear edge of neck rail and rear edge 64 66 68 70 72 75 of curb for mattress stalls (E) Horizontal distance between rear edge of neck rail and rear edge 58 60 62 64 66 69 of curb for deep bedded stalls (E)* Distance from rear edge of divider loop to point of curb (F) 9 9 9 9 9 9 Height of brisket locator above top of curb (loose bedded stall or 3 3 4 4 4 4 mat/mattress surface) (G) Height of upper edge of bottom stall divider rail above top of curb 10 10 12 12 13 14 (loose bedded stall or mat/mattress surface) (H) Interior diameter of the stall divider loop (I) 30 33 33 36 36 36 Height of neck rail above top of curb (loose bedded stall or 42 45 48 50 52 54 mat/mattress surface) (J) Obstruction height (K) 5-­‐35 5-­‐35 5-­‐35 5-­‐35 5-­‐35 5-­‐35 20-­‐22 20-­‐22 20-­‐22 20-­‐22 20-­‐22 20-­‐22 Horizontal distance from brisket locator to loop angle (L) Rear curb height (M) 8 8 8 8 8 8 *E in deep, loose-bedded stalls is less than in mat/mattress stalls to encourage cows to stand with their rear feet
in the alley instead of on stall base.
For more information, visit TheDairylandInitiative.vetmed.wisc.edu
Copyright 2015 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
Stall Dimension (cm) Adult Cow Freestall Dimensions Body Weight Estimate (kg) 550 640 730 820 114 122 127 137 274 274 305 305 450 910 Center-­‐to-­‐center stall divider placement (stall width) (A) 107 145 Total stall length facing a wall (B1) 244 320 Outside curb to outside curb distance for head-­‐to-­‐head platform 457 488 488 518 518 549 (B2) Distance from rear curb to rear of brisket locator (C) 163 168 173 178 183 191 15-­‐20 15-­‐20 15-­‐20 15-­‐20 15-­‐20 15-­‐20 Width of rear curb (D) Horizontal distance between rear edge of neck rail and rear edge 163 168 173 178 183 191 of curb for mattress stalls (E) Horizontal distance between rear edge of neck rail and rear edge 147 152 157 163 168 175 of curb for deep bedded stalls (E)* Distance from rear edge of divider loop to point of curb (F) 23 23 23 23 23 23 Height of brisket locator above top of curb (loose bedded stall or 8 8 10 10 10 10 mat/mattress surface) (G) Height of upper edge of bottom stall divider rail above top of curb 25 25 31 31 33 36 (loose bedded stall or mat/mattress surface) (H) Interior diameter of the stall divider loop (I) 76 84 84 91 91 91 Height of neck rail above top of curb (loose bedded stall or 107 114 122 127 132 137 mat/mattress surface) (J) 13-­‐89 13-­‐89 13-­‐89 13-­‐89 13-­‐89 13-­‐89 Obstruction height (K) 51-­‐56 51-­‐56 51-­‐56 51-­‐56 51-­‐56 51-­‐56 Horizontal distance from brisket locator to loop angle (L) Rear curb height (M) 20 20 20 20 20 20 *E in deep, loose-bedded stalls is less than in mat/mattress stalls to encourage cows to stand with their rear feet
in the alley instead of on stall base.
For more information, visit TheDairylandInitiative.vetmed.wisc.edu
Copyright 2015 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System