Concrete & Confinement in Dairy Cattle
Cows are not adapted to stand for extended periods on hard abrasive surfaces. Confinement on hard surfaces increase the weight load on the hooves. Housing on natural or cushioned surfaces reduces weight load. Hard surfaces tend to irritate the corium and accelerate hoof growth. Hoof overgrowth can lead to overloading of the affected claws and result in lameness. Confinement also restricts exercise, resulting in weak pasterns and wide spread claws.
A variety of housing and management factors appear to influence the amount of time cows spend standing versus resting. Obvious considerations are: number of stalls, stall design, matting, and amount of bedding. The incidence of lameness tends to be higher in free stalls than in straw yards. Excessive curb height, over 6 inches, inadequate bedding, and insufficient lunge space have all been linked to greater herd lameness.
Research has shown that cattle allowed to walk in single file have fewer cases of lameness than those that are rushed to the parlor and back. Cows should be allowed to move at their own pace over hard and rough surfaces. Moving at the herder’s pace causes foot problems, as well as contributing to injuries from falling or slipping.
Concrete is capable of creating an extremely abrasive surface for dairy cattle hooves. New concrete is harsher than old, and wet concrete is more abrasive than dry concrete. Animals on wet concrete suffer twice as much because the moisture also softens the hoof horn and promotes faster wear. On the other hand, smooth concrete floors increases traction; it is worth the expense.
The best preventative care for the bovine hoof is to allow cows to leave the concrete and exercise on dry lots or pasture for two to three hours per day. The dirt provides much more cushion and support than concrete. It also eases the pressure on joints, tendons, and ligaments in the legs. Unfortunately, exercise lots have a tendency to become muddy during periods of rain and snow. This can lead to heel erosion from softened horns.
A variety of housing and management factors appear to influence the amount of time cows spend standing versus resting. Obvious considerations are: number of stalls, stall design, matting, and amount of bedding. The incidence of lameness tends to be higher in free stalls than in straw yards. Excessive curb height, over 6 inches, inadequate bedding, and insufficient lunge space have all been linked to greater herd lameness.
Research has shown that cattle allowed to walk in single file have fewer cases of lameness than those that are rushed to the parlor and back. Cows should be allowed to move at their own pace over hard and rough surfaces. Moving at the herder’s pace causes foot problems, as well as contributing to injuries from falling or slipping.
Concrete is capable of creating an extremely abrasive surface for dairy cattle hooves. New concrete is harsher than old, and wet concrete is more abrasive than dry concrete. Animals on wet concrete suffer twice as much because the moisture also softens the hoof horn and promotes faster wear. On the other hand, smooth concrete floors increases traction; it is worth the expense.
The best preventative care for the bovine hoof is to allow cows to leave the concrete and exercise on dry lots or pasture for two to three hours per day. The dirt provides much more cushion and support than concrete. It also eases the pressure on joints, tendons, and ligaments in the legs. Unfortunately, exercise lots have a tendency to become muddy during periods of rain and snow. This can lead to heel erosion from softened horns.
posted by Daniel Montoya at 4:12 PM
1 Comments:
Yes I can relate on your articles because this just like our cows in DeBruycker Charolais
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