Anil K.SPOOJA U2020-09-072020-09-072018https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810150901The 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.enThesis