Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Cutler, Janet H
• Shearer, Jan K
• Kelton, David F
• Cramer, Gerard
• Gorden, Pat J
• Millman, Suzanne T

Titel

Observational Study of the Effects of Therapeutic Hoof Blocks on the Locomotion, Behavior, and Production of Healthy Dairy Cattle

Ist Teil von

• Journal of applied animal welfare science, 2015-10, Vol.18 (4), p.363-374

Ort / Verlag

England: Routledge

Erscheinungsjahr

2015

Quelle

Taylor & Francis Journals Auto-Holdings Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Therapeutic hoof blocks have been recommended for treatment of sole ulcers in dairy cattle; however, they are underutilized in the industry. Twenty Holstein cows were randomly assigned to receive a wooden hoof block applied to the left hind leg (n = 5), to the right hind leg (n = 5), or no hoof blocks (n = 10). Accelerometers were affixed to both hind legs of 10 blocked cows and 5 control cows. Cows were observed for locomotion scores, and milk production was recorded. Mixed models were constructed to determine effects of block application on behavior, milk production, and locomotion. Activity was altered by day, with cows being most active on Day − 1. The mean number of daily lying bouts and lying bout duration did not differ by treatment. Locomotion scores were higher for blocked cows on Days 1, 2, and 3 compared with baseline; however, milk production did not differ between treatments. In conclusion, although block application affected the appearance of locomotion, it did not appear to adversely affect the behavior or milk production of sound dairy cows.