Development of protocol for management of hoof problems in crossbred cattle
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Date
2018
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College of Veterinary and animal Science,Mannuthy
Abstract
The present study was conducted to identify predisposing factors of hoof
problems in crossbred dairy cattle and to develop a protocol for the management of
hoof problems in crossbred cattle of Kerala. A total of 45 private farms in Thrissur and
Palakkad districts and 2 farms under KVASU were taken for the study. The study
covered small scale farms(1-2 animal), medium scale farms(3-10 animals) and large
scale farms(>10animals) of both districts and two organized farms viz, University
livestock farm, Mannuthy, and Cattle breeding farm, Thumburmuzhy. Hoof problems
were identified using In stall lameness indicators and severity was assessed using
locomotion score and body condition score of the animal. The large scale farms had
maximum incidence (41.2 per cent) followed by medium (26.7 per cent) and small scale
farms (20.0 per cent). The incidence in organized farms was thirteen per cent. The
incidence of hoof problem was more in large-medium land holdings (56.3 per cent)
farms where as in marginal-small farms incidence was less (10.3 per cent). The
incidence of hoof problem in crossbred HF and crossbred Jersey were 31.7 per cent and
16.7 per cent respectively. The effect of age and body weight of the animal was found
to be significant (p<0.05) on hoof disorder. The animals which are stall fed were found
to be more suffering from hoof problem (36.8 per cent) compared to a combination of
grazing and stall feeding (p<0.05). The animals fed with less than 15 kg green
fodder/day were found to have more hoof disorders (77.8 per cent) with p<0.01. The
hoof problem was about 87.5 per cent in animals that are fed with unconventional feed
like brewer’s yeast. The quantity of unconventional feed was found to be the most
affecting factor for the occurrence of hoof problem( p<0.05). The incidence of hoof
problem was 80.0 per cent in animals without vitamin and mineral supplementation
(p>0.05). The animal reared on concrete floor had more incidence of hoof problems
(46.4 per cent) compared to stone pavement which was (20 per cent). In slippery/pitted
floor hoof disorders for cattle was 36.8 per (p<0.05). The incidence of hoof problem
was more with asbestos as roof material (59.1 per cen). As frequency of animal bathing
increases the incidence of hoof problem was found more (46.7 per cent). The average
lactation yield per day was less than five litres in all animals with hoof problem and
also in early stage of lactation hoof problem was found more. The animal with parity
two (61.5%) is found to have more incidence hoof disorders compared to one and
three. The 75 percent of animal having hoof problems was also suffering from anestrum
(p<0.05). The incidence of hoof problem was only 13.6 per cent in farms with provision
of foot bath whereas it was 44 per cent in farms without footbath although. The
occurrence of hoof problem was more in rainy season (70.2 per cent) than in summer
and post monsoon. In 2.3 per cent of farms culling was done due to hoof problems. The
incidence of hoof problem was 20.7 per cent in farms where hoof trimming was carried
out and 44.4 per cent incidence in farms without hoof trimmi. The average locomotion
score in private farms was 4.31±0.96 whereas in organized farms it was 3.97±0.133.
The average body condition score was 1.82±0.099 for private farms and for organized
farms was 2.38±0.140 (p<0.05) . From this study it can be concluded that hoof
disorders are a serious problem in crossbred cattle under field conditions and all efforts
are needed to control by providing adequate inputs.