Claw conformation of dairy heifers in twomanagement systems
- Vermunt J.J, Greenough P.R
- British Veterinary Journal SCOPUS
- Baillière Tindall in 1996
- Cited Count
- Elsevier MEDLINE®/PubMed® Crossref
A computerized conformation determination system was used to evaluateobjectively claw conformation of dairy heifers in two management systems, i.e., housed indoors on concrete slats or out of doors in a dry lot. Examinations were made at 4-week intervals from 12–13 months of age until calving at 24–26 months. Overall, the angle of the dorsal border did not differ between front and hind claws. Length of the dorsal border, heel height, and toe:heel ratio were greater for front claws ( P<0.001). Hind claws were longer than front claws ( P<0.001), but front claws were wider ( P<0.001). On both front and hind limbs, lateral claws were wider than medial claws ( P<0.001). Angles of the dorsal border decreased, but lengths of the dorsal border and heel heights increased over time ( P< 0.05). Significant differences in claw conformation were found between the two management groups. Heifers maintained out of doors had longer toes and wider lateral claws than heifers housed indoors ( P<0.05). At time of entry into the respective management group, no significant differences in claw traits were found between the two groups. At calving, however, out-door-housed heifers had hind claws with smaller dorsal angles and longer dorsal borders ( P<0.05).
1.Hoof and Leg Traits of Swedish Dairy Cattle I. Objective Measurements(1986) G. Ahlström et al. Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series AVeterinary cited 2 times
2.The influence of breed, age, bodyweight and season on digital diseases and hoof size in diary cows. Journal of Veterinary Medicine A. Vol. 28. pp. 141-151(1981) Andersson L. et al.
3.Claw measurements of young bulls at performance testing stations in Bavaria(1984) Distl O et al. Livestock Production ScienceZootechnics cited 0 times
4.Some observations on the incidence of lameness in dairy cattle in Somerset(1980) C. Scott et al. The Veterinary RecordVeterinary cited 34 times
5.The effects of housing, age, breed and time after trimming on hoof measurements. Journal of Dairy Srience. Vol. 61. pp. 83(1978) Gilmore J.A.
6.CDS—Conformation Determination Svstem.(1989) Greenough P.R. et al.
7.Instructions for Authors of Journal of Dairy Science(1977) Hahn M.V. et al. Journal of Dairy ScienceZootechnics cited 6 times
8.Genetic and Environmental Variation of Hoof Characteristics of Holstein Cattle1(1984) Hahn Martin V. et al. Journal of Dairy ScienceZootechnics cited 18 times
9.The influence of dietary protein and of hoof trimming on lameness in dairy cattle. Animal Production. Vol. 47. pp. 191-199(1988) Manson F.J. et al.
10.The effect of concentrate:silage ratio and hoof trimming on lameness in dairy cattle. Animal Production. Vol. 49. pp. 15-22(1989) Manson F.J. et al.