Abstract
Background: Hoof lesions and lameness in cattle is currently a serious problem in the dairy industry and significantly affects the health and welfare of animals. High milk yield has been associated with lameness and claw lesions. It was found that 87.5% of lame animals were suffered from claw lesions and hoof lesions were present in all the cows having lameness. Hoof trimming is performed to prevent hoof lesions and improve gait by correction and maintenance of the hoof symmetry and shape. Lameness caused by hoof disorders can be treated by correct hoof trimming. The aim of this study was to know the production performance in dairy cattle before and after hoof trimming. Methods: In this study twenty lame cows were selected and lameness index score was given to them (0-5 score). The nutrient requirements of the animals were met as per ICAR (2013) through concentrate feed and ad libitum green fodder. Care was taken to ensure that feed was provided at same levels throughout the study period and to nullify any effects of feed on lameness. Milk yield in kg/day were recorded before week of hoof trimming (HT) and after hoof trimming intervention it was recorded on 0th day, 3rd day, 6th day, 8th day, 11th day, 14th day. Result: Our results showed that significant difference (P≤0.05) in milk yield was on 0th day, 3rd day, 6th day and 8th day when compared with before week of HT (13.25±0.83). Significant increase in milk Fat % (P≤0.05) was observed on 11th day and 14th day (4.10±0.04), significant decrease (P≤0.05) in milk SNF % was observed on 0th day, 3rd day, 6th day and 8th day (8.45±0.03), whereas significant difference (P≤0.05) in milk protein % was observed on 0, 3 and 6th day (2.64±0.04) when compared with before week of HT. From this study it was concluded that the hoof trimming intervention has an immediate effect on production performance of dairy cows. Further this is a novel improved intervention using angle cutter modified to trim the hoof which is safe and painless compared to conventional Hoof cutter which caused a lot of cutting and bleeding hooves.
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