Interaction between the body condition score, gait, hindlimb conformation, and claw conformation in dairy cows in Aydin, Turkey

İbrahim Akın ,Hüsnü Erbay Bardakçioğlu ,Elvan Aktürk Hayat ,Yalçın Alper Özturan ,Ömer Kurt

doi:10.1590/0103-8478cr20210158

İbrahim Akın , Hüsnü Erbay Bardakçioğlu + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20210158

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Journal: Ciência Rural	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2022
License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Adnan Menderes University

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Breeding strategies aim to reduce lameness in dairies by using predictor traits to increase the selection of dairy cows. This study enhanced the present knowledge about association between the claw conformations (CC), hindlimb conformation (HiLC), gait, and body condition score (BCS) in dairy cows. A total of 166 lactating Holstein cows were enrolled in the study and scored for BCS, CC, HiLC, and gait. The abnormal HiLC group was statistically significant (P<0.001) to have more abnormal CC. Hock in (Hin) cows showed significance (P<0.001) with CC abnormalities. Cows with abnormal gait have less abnormal claw and limb conformation than normal cows (P=0.032). Lactation number (P=0.036) and abnormal HiLC (P<0.001) were significantly increased risk for CC. The present results might be useful for claw and hindlimb conformations, and breeding strategies of the herd.

Highlights

Lameness is one of the well-known causes of major economic losses and welfare issues and has a detrimental correlation with milk production and fertility and leads to a higher risk of death or culling in the dairy industry (WARNICK et al, 2001; BICALHO et al, 2008)
The objective of this study is to investigate the associations between claw and hindlimb conformation with gait and body condition score in dairy cows, and revealing the relationship between the related traits
Descriptive statistics A total of 166 cows were enrolled in the study; body condition score (BCS), days in milk (DIM), the existence of abnormality of claw conformation, hindlimb conformation, and gait by lactation number (LN) are listed in table 1

Summary

Introduction

Lameness is one of the well-known causes of major economic losses and welfare issues and has a detrimental correlation with milk production and fertility and leads to a higher risk of death or culling in the dairy industry (WARNICK et al, 2001; BICALHO et al, 2008). In this regard, one of the priorities of the dairy industry may be improving the dairy cows, requiring minimal foot trimming with good conformed limbs and claws. Providing a good locomotion score (LS) via favorable limb and claw conformation, and BCS may be achieved with genetic improvement. The association between BCS and Approved 06.22.21 Returned CR-2021-0158.R1 by the author 08.17.C21 iência

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