Preferences of housed finishing beef cattle for different floor types (2001)

Lowe, D. E., Steen, R. W. J., Beattie, V. E.

Abstract

Six pairs of steers were allowed to choose between two types of floors in a paired choice test. ... Straw was the most preferred floor type, followed by sawdust, then mats, and finally slats. ... It would appear that comfort while lying down is the main feature determining the choice of flooring. However, comfort while standing and resistance to slipping are also likely to be important, in conjunction with the opportunity to express natural foraging behaviour.