Table 12.

Strengths, weaknesses and hazards that contribute to reduced welfare in outdoor loafing areas

Strengths	Improved conditions for cows to thermoregulate and exercise (Galán et al., 2018)
	Reduction in agonistic interactions with conspecifics (Schneider, 2010, Haskell et al., 2013, Lutz et al., 2019)
	Reduction in integument damage (Keil et al., 2006, Schneider, 2010, Knierim et al., 2020)
Weaknesses	Increase in certain hoof diseases (Bielfeldt et al., 2005; O'Driscoll et al., 2008, 2009)
	Heat stress if free access to the indoor area is not provided (Galán et al., 2018)
Hazards of reduced welfare	Aspects of the design and management, such as quality of the floor, hygiene management and space allowance (Bielfeldt et al., 2005; O'Driscoll et al., 2008, 2009, Lutz et al., 2019; Schneider, 2010, Knierim et al., 2020)