“The stall bed needs to be both comfortable and durable. Resilient mattress and ‘soft’ mats are usually good stall bed choices for growing heifers. Generously bedded stalls are also a good option but generally require more maintenance since heifers tend to ‘paw and dig’ the bedding material. Bedding is still necessary to improve comfort, encourage stall use, and promote cleanliness. However, bedding addition is often more difficult (and sometimes less likely to get done as needed) since heifers continuously occupy the space. Proper planning and gate placement allow the ability to confine heifers away from the stall rows being bedded. Regular removal of manure and soiled bedding from the stall surface is necessary to improve heifer cleanliness.”
