Rob, Applegate does offer the panels with a solid bottom panel but I look at these as a flat hay ring and their bar type hay rings have worked well for me in the past.  As I posted to Dave above, with a steep slope to the concrete away from the building I dont see a significant manure problem. I don't get manure inside a hay ring why would I get some inside here?  I do want the flexibility of a flat floor when I open or remove the hay panels.

I do see some manure when I use a small space as a calf shelter. But that will be on concrete lined with straw bedding for just a short period of time and I 'll clean that out by hand or with a loader bucket.

The comment about mud along is hopefully also one of the benefits of this setup. Thank you.

Jim