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What are the four types of loose housing for cattle?

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A large grain elevator and several metal silos stand on a farm surrounded by green fields, with hills and a partly cloudy sky in the background. — Farm building Grain elevator and silos on a small farm.

In the context of cattle-housing systems, the loose-housing method allows animals to move freely within a shelter and often between the shelter and an outdoor yard. Depending on the type of bedded area used, there are four distinct types of loose housing:1

Loose housing on permanent litter: Uses materials such as straw, corncobs, or sawdust.1
Loose housing in free stalls or cubicles: Provides individual resting spaces for the animals.1
Loose housing on slatted floors: Utilizes slotted surfaces to manage waste.1
Loose housing on sloped concrete: Employs an inclined floor design.1

These systems are designed to facilitate animal movement and are often paired with a milking parlour in modern dairy operations.1