Dairy - Housing types

Tie-Stall Barns

Advantage: low-cost investment and allow for individual cow care, milk, fed and watered in stall

Disadvantage: labor intensive, difficult for workers, can result in lameness, broken tails, swollen hocks, and decreased cow cleanliness

Free-Stall Barns

Advantage: a comfortable place to lie down and rest

Disadvantage: high setup costs, increased labor for cleaning

Loose Housing

Advantage: inexpensive housing, most common in warm climates with dry-lot or pasture systems

Disadvantage: high risk for mud and heat stress

Compost-Bedding Pack Barns

Advantage: great cow comfort, lower manure storage/handling costs, better foot health

Disadvantage: significant daily labor, require ample dry bedding, need excellent ventilation