Physical and chemical characteristics of feedlot pen substrate bedded with woodchip under wet climatic conditions

Abstract Wet winter conditions can create animal welfare issues in feedlots if the pen surface becomes a deep, wet, penetrable substrate. Feedlot pens with clay and gravel base ( N = 30) bedded 150 mm (W15) 300 (W30) depth of woodchips were compared to control treatment no bedding over 109-day feeding period, while irrigated supplement natural rainfall. The pad substrate was measured for variables which would affect cattle comfort value composting. higher than both woodchip-bedded treatments from week 2, increased until end experiment. Meanwhile these scores steady W30 throughout experiment, W15 only after 10. Moisture content experiment pens. In pens, force required pull leg analogue out three times that treatments. C : upper limit suitability composting, W30, too high composting period. Overall, providing feedlot or woodchip during period improved condition by reducing moisture stratum, but decreased this duration.