Freestalls

Freestalls are a housing system for dairy cattle in which individual lying spaces are provided in an open, non-tethered barn. Each cow may freely enter a stall to lie down and rise, choosing among many stalls in the barn. The stalls are separated by partitions, and the cows are not restrained, except by a neck rail and return alley. Freestall housing is designed to improve comfort and welfare while allowing efficient feeding and movement through the barn.

Design features typically include a defined stall with a bed or mattress, a low front curb, and a neck rail behind the stall opening to guide posture. The bed is made from bedding material such as sand, sawdust, straw, or a combination, with sand particularly valued for cushioning and drainage. Standard stall dimensions for adult dairy cows are commonly around 1.5 meters long and 1.2 meters wide, though sizes vary with cow size. The stall sits along a dry, well-drained alley and is backed by a feeding area or pass.

Management considerations include stocking density, bedding management, and stall cleaning. Proper design and maintenance promote longer lying time, reduce injuries and lameness, and support milk production. Frequent scraping, bedding replacement, and moisture control are required; costs include bedding material and labor. Freestalls differ from tie-stall systems by allowing freedom of movement, but they require higher capital investment and ongoing management to maintain cleanliness and cow comfort.