For high milk yield, healthy claws and a long productive life, a cow needs to spend enough time each day in a lying stall. Cows readily lie down in a stall when they feel comfortable in it, meaning they lie down easily and get up without difficulty. For farm efficiency and hygiene, it matters just as much that animals lie straight in the stall, which keeps the lying surface clean. PATURA has developed several types of lying arches for this, and Kancler Sistem Pro, as its Slovenian partner, advises on and installs them in Slovenian barns as part of its cattle farming range.
Why the shape of the arch matters
A lying arch is not just a mechanical divider that positions the animal in the stall. Its shape and placement decide whether a cow will lie straight in the stall, and whether she will want to lie down in it at all. That is exactly why PATURA lying arches meet both the animal's need for comfort and the farmer's need for cleanliness and yield.
Choosing an arch by animal type and age
PATURA offers four basic arch types, which differ in adjustability and intended use:
- PRIMA is a height- and width-adjustable, flexible lying arch made of a durable plastic material. It mounts on a post or on cross tubes, allowing quick and easy width adjustment. It suits dairy cows well, and also works well for suckler cows and young cattle.
- Classic has a fixed arch position and is an excellent choice for renovations, being cost-effective and easy to install. There are no tubes in the head area, which makes fitting rubber mats easier. We recommend it for dairy cows, suckler cows and young cattle.
- Universal offers a single arch with four mounting options: on a support structure, on a post, on a support bracket, or on a concreted headrest. This flexibility makes it suitable for dairy cows and young cattle, and it also works for suckler cows.
- Comfort is a height-adjustable arch designed for mounting on posts, and is a first choice for dairy cows, while also being usable for suckler cows.
Installation and dimensions that actually matter
Whichever arch type you choose, correct installation is key to how it performs. For the PRIMA and Classic arches, the recommendation is four to five anchor bolts per arch, and you work out the length of the brisket tube by multiplying the number of lying arches by the stall width. Cross clamps are used to connect the brisket tubes.
A corrugated brisket tube is particularly effective, giving cows more room when entering the stall and standing up. Its shape guides the animal to stand straight in the stall and lie centred, which further supports cleanliness.
All posts and arches that come into contact with manure or slurry must be coated with a bitumen protective coating; without it, the equipment's service life is significantly shortened.
The mattress that completes the arch
The arch alone does not provide comfort if the surface beneath it is not right. PATURA therefore also offers a latex mattress with a 40 mm thick, high-quality latex layer as its base element. The continuous lying surface provides full comfort and long lying periods without the cow shifting position, and the material fully conforms to each animal's body, returning to its original shape once the cow gets up.
A non-slip cover, which also closes off the end of the mattress when folded, ensures the cow can stand safely and lie down quickly. Grooves at the front of the mattress support the cow while lying, while longitudinal grooves at the back allow liquid to drain away. The total depth of the mattress is 1.70 m, and the length is custom-made to suit your barn.
Regular maintenance extends the equipment's life
Lying arches and brisket tubes are exposed daily to manure, moisture and mechanical wear, so regular maintenance is not a side task. The bitumen coating needs periodic renewal, rubber mats should be checked for wear, and anchor bolts should be retightened, since constant pressure from the animals loosens them over time. A system maintained this way keeps its function and comfort for animals for much longer.
Checklist for comfortable lying stalls
- The arch type (PRIMA, Classic, Universal, Comfort) matches the category of animals in the barn
- The mounting height and stall width are matched to the size of the animals
- The brisket tube is correctly calculated and installed, ideally in the corrugated version
- All metal parts in contact with manure carry a bitumen protective coating
- The mattress beneath the arch is soft, non-slip and drains liquid properly
Need advice?
If your cows often do not lie straight or are reluctant to lie down in their stalls, describe the problem to us and we will suggest a suitable lying arch.