Maintaining adequate bunk space per cow is an integral component of proper dairy herd management. Doing this helps promote rumen health, enhance calving rate, and guarantee proper nutrition and production.
A 58-d feeding study was conducted to investigate the effect of bunk space on growth performance of growing steers that had been limited-fed a high-energy corn and cob product diet. 385 crossbred steers (initial body weight = 215 +-25 kg) were randomly assigned one of four bunk allotment treatments: 25,4, 38.1, 50.8 or 63.5 cm per head.
Contents
Size
Cows require different amounts of bunk space depending on their stage of lactation and size. No matter the size of your barn, make sure every cow has enough room to get all the nutrition they require.
Your feed bunk space may be too small, which can affect cattle behavior and subordinate cows negatively. This can have an adverse effect on performance, health and happiness of your herd.
It is recommended to provide each cow with at least 30 inches of feed bunk space. This will guarantee all your dairy herd have enough room to graze comfortably.
A feed bunk is an elevated trough designed for cattle that’s usually constructed out of metal or concrete. Some types of bunk feeders feature legs which enable them to be adjusted in height according to the different stages in a herd’s development.
Design
No matter if it’s for fresh cows or mature beef cattle, the design of each feed bunk space per cow has an immense effect on their performance and health. If there is not enough space for heifers or cows to access feed efficiently, they may exhibit aggressive behavior.
Heifers require at least 30 inches of bunk space, and if headlocks are used this should be increased to 36 inches. Dry cows require between 18-24 inches for their accommodation needs.
Heifers particularly benefit from proper bunk management, which has been shown to increase feed efficiency between 10-15%. This results in lower feed costs.
In the case of fence-line bunks, a concrete apron behind the bunk can help keep feed from going to waste in between. This apron should be 10 feet to 12 feet wide and slope 1/2 inch per foot.
Access
Maintaining adequate feed bunk space per cow is essential for optimizing DMI and rumen health. Generally, 24 inches (61 cm) of space should be provided for fresh or early lactation cows, while 36 inches (91 cm) for dry or later lactation cows is ideal.
The size and number of animals in a group determine the amount of space at a feed bunk. For instance, dividing the feed bunk into groups with different rations will minimize competition between heifers while feeding.
A headlock fence can deter ‘boss’ individuals from pushing lower-ranking heifers away from the feed, thus decreasing the possibility of aggressive interactions. However, cows may still displace other animals in bunks if there is not enough room for them to comfortably access.
Dairy cows require a considerable amount of lying down time each day, in addition to access to their feed bunk for 20-22 hours per day. This ensures optimal dry matter ingestion.
Environment
A properly constructed feed bunk is essential for optimizing herd health and productivity. Additionally, it allows cattle to receive a balanced ration in a secure and healthy environment.
Feed bunk space per cow should be sufficient to support the number of cows in a pen while still providing space for grazing and storing hay. For mature milking dairy cows, this space should not be less than 30 inches linear per cow, or 36 inches per cow for close-up dry and early lactation cows.
In addition to feed bunk space, cows require access to a water trough for drinking. Whether the trough is open or closed, cows require constant access to water for proper nutrition and herd health.
