Drying times of umbilical cords of dairy calves

Abstract

To determine the distribution of drying times of umbilical cords of dairy calves and to determine if cord dryness is a reliable indicator of age. An observational study was undertaken in a spring calving herd in Victoria, of the umbilical cords of 188 calves (82 Friesian bulls, 82 Friesian heifers, 24 crossbreds). Umbilical cords were examined daily, visually and by palpation, until the cord to the junction of the skin on the abdomen of the calf was dry, shrivelled and inflexible. Drying times ranged from 1 to 8 days. By the fifth day of life, the umbilical cords of 96.7% of all calves, 97.5% Friesian heifer calves, 87.5% of Friesian bull calves and 100% of cross-bred calves were dry. If cord dryness only was used to select calves for sale, 91.3% of all calves, 86.4% of Friesian bull calves and 100% of cross bred calves could have been sold before their fifth day of life. If calves were selected on age only, 3.3% of all calves, 2.5% of Friesian heifer calves and 12.5% of Friesian bull calves would have been sold before their umbilical cord was dry. The dairy industry cannot rely on cord dryness alone as an indicator of age for selection of calves for sale and transportation. Cord dryness is a poor indicator of age.