How do the Dual Chamber Waterbeds for cows provide superior cow comfort?

The Dual Chamber Waterbed retains its memory for the entire life of the Dual Chamber Waterbed. The bladder does not lose its shape and the water can not pack. Every time the cow lies down, she impacts the same pillow of water at the critical point in her descent. Four, eight or twelve years from now,  the Dual Chamber Waterbed will treat your dairy cow to the same level of cow comfort in her descent to the lying position as it did during the first use.

How are the Dual Chamber Waterbeds different than the single chamber beds?

Dual Chamber Waterbeds have been designed to prevent the cow’s knees from bottoming out on the stall surface.  The front cushion takes the entire shock out of the cow dripping to her knees.  The Dual Chamber Waterbed also holds the pressure points on the floating bed surface better.  When a cow lays on a single bladder bed surface, the water shift with her weight; if she is leaning forward, all of the water will go to the rear of the bed, taking the knees off the floating surface.  The Dual Chamber Waterbed retains its integrity, thus floating all pressure points necessary – the knees, the hocks, and the udder.

How are the Dual Chamber Waterbeds installed?

To see the installation page, click here.

Will the Dual Chamber Waterbed for cows freeze?

It has been our experience, if the barn is kept at or near capacity, the beds will not freeze or even get close to being cold.

We have heard that waterbeds will suck the heat from the cow in cold climates in the winter.  Is this true?  How do the beds react in the summer heat?

That statement was either made by someone who does not have a waterbed in their barn, or by the competition.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Rubber is a good conductor of heat; rubber absorbs heat and retains it for a relatively long period of time.  Water also conducts and retains heat.  In addition, it is recommended that waterbeds be installed on a concrete surface.  The concrete never freezes; it stays at a constant 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit in all climates in all seasons.  Thus, the concrete does not pull the heat from the beds in the winter, but instead, the concrete insulates the beds helping retain heat in the beds.

In the summer, the concrete is also at 40-45 degrees.  The 100 degree cow lays on a bed surface in a 100 degree day and where will the heat go?  The heat is transferred to the concrete beneath.  Thus, the waterbed stays cooler in the summer than conventional stall bed surfaces.

Why do cows get less skin abrasions, bruised knees or swollen hocks on cow Dual Chamber Waterbed?

While going into the lying position or while in the lying position, the cow’s pressure points do not drag across the surface of the Dual Chamber Waterbed.  The weight of the cow's belly forces the water to the cow’s lighter points, her knees, hocks and udder.  The pressure points of the cows roll with the surface of the bed.   All of this is accomplished with little or no bedding.

Why use any bedding?

In cold climates, barns are sealed.  While there is air movement, it is not sufficient to totally dry beds soiled by urine or milk.  A slight amount of bedding allows the dairyman to move bedding to the moist area, taking up any residual area.  This same dairy may find during certain times of the year, when the curtains are up and air movement increases, that the amount of bedding needed is substantially reduced or eliminated altogether.

What types of bedding are used?

Bedding types vary by personal preference and by economically available material.  Saw dust or shavings are most common.  Other successful types we have seen used are:  oat hulls, rice hulls, chopped paper, compost and sand.

How long will waterbeds last? / What is the warranty?

Waterbeds have a Ten (10) Year Warranty in Free Stall Barns and a Five (5) Year Warranty in Tie Stall Barns.  We expect waterbeds to last 15-20 years, but the honest answer is we do not know.  The first waterbeds weighted approximately 50 pounds each and were installed in North America in 1999.  Since the Fall of 2003, we have manufactured the Dual Chamber Waterbeds, weighing approximately 62 pounds each.  The first beds installed in Free Stalls show no wear and it is our belief that the thicker, heavier waterbeds made with more rubber and fabric will last even longer.  For more information on Warranty Coverage, please click here.

What sizes do the Dual Chamber Waterbeds come in?

The Dual Chamber Waterbeds come in 42, 44, 45, 46, 48, 51 and 54" widths and 72" lengths.

Will we see an increase in milk production as a result of using the Dual Chamber Waterbed?

There is no empirical data showing that Dual Chamber Waterbed increase milk production. We can state that when a cow is lying on a Dual Chamber Waterbed, the udder floats off from the surface, which gives her better blood flow.  Better blood flow means better udder health.

Will we see less mastitis as a result of using the Dual Chamber Waterbed?

Many dairymen have reported that because the Dual Chamber Waterbed is dry and clean, the insistences of mastitis have decreased dramatically.  Again, there is no empirical data showing this.

How much water is in a Dual Chamber Waterbed?

Recommended full capacities.

Do you fasten the back of the Dual Chamber Waterbed to the stall surface?

No.  Manure will not build up on the back of the stall.  The milk and urine rolls off and manure will not build up, because the back of the stall stays dry.  Solid manure that lands on the back of the stall can be easily removed with a flat poly scrapper.  The remaining residual manure will flex, break apart, become aerated and roll into the alley.