The design and management of freestall 4) air or vision.
facilities are critical in maintaining cow comfort
and high milk production. Dairy produc- Lunge Space
ers should be conscious of the factors affecting
cow comfort in freestall facilities. These The first reason a freestall may fail is lack
factors include: ventilation, water availability, of lunge space. A cow needs forward or side
feed availability, stall design, and stall bed- lunge space to maneuver in and out of the stall
ding. Dairy producers should strive to have easily. There should be no obstructions in
lactating cows standing to be milked; standing front of the stall above the brisket board if
to eat; or lying down, chewing her cud, and cows are expected to lunge forward. If stall
producing milk. Managers who take this length is limiting, consider wide dividing loops
approach will improve both cow comfort and that allow cows to lunge to the side. The
milk production.
