Epidemiology of lameness in dairy cattle: the influence of cubicles and indoor and outdoor walking surfaces

Abstract

A survey of cubicles and indoor and outdoor walking surfaces on 37 farms served by four veterinary practices in Somerset, Cheshire, Wirral and west. Wales was carried out in 1989 to 1991. A study of the space requirements of Friesian/Holstein cows at pasture showed that they required approximately 240 cm x 120 cm lying space and a further 60 cm lunging space for rising. By these standards, 87 per cent of the cubicles were too short and 50 per cent were too wide or too narrow. Over 1500 observations on cows lying down, rising and standing indicated that only 12 per cent of the cubicles permitted real freedom of movement; 91 per cent of top partition rails were judged to be too low and 70 per cent of bottom rails too low or too high. In addition, the kerb was very high in 76 per cent of the cubicles. As a result, 10 per cent of cows appeared moderately or severely restricted when lying down, 33 per cent when rising and 55 per cent when standing. Over 2000 cubicle beds were also studied; 75 per cent had a concrete base and of those, 63 per cent were judged to have too little bedding and 11 per cent next to none. Higher incidences and prevalences of lameness were associated with limited borrowing space (P < 0.01) low bottom rails (P < 0.05), high kerbs (P < 0.05) and inadequate bedding (P < 0.01). Of 3190 walking surfaces, only 25 per cent were classified as satisfactory in the first winter and 34 per cent in the second. In general, surfaces in silage bays were too rough and those in other sites were too smooth. The farms with the smoothest indoor walking surfaces had a significantly higher incidence of lameness (P < 0.01). Of 3335 outdoor walking surfaces only 25 per cent were classified as satisfactory, and 70 per cent were too rough. The incidence of lameness was not significantly related to these findings.

The importance of straw for pig and cattle welfare: A review

“…Claw horn lesions are a major cause of lameness. The incidence of such lesions was higher for cows housed on hard concrete floors (Bergsten and Frank, 1996;Faull et al, 1996), and for cows housed in cubicles than for cows in straw yards (Livesey et al, 1998). Conditions in straw yards are less conducive to hoof wear: cattle spend more time lying down and the floor surface is dry and resilient (Phillips and Schofield, 1994).…”

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“…Narrow, uncomfortable cubicles (Philipot et al 1993) have been suggested to be important influencing factors on lameness incidence. In the study by Faull et al (1996) suggested that the height of the kerb should be no more than 15 cm. Variations in floor level have been suggested as a possible risk factor for claw horn lesions (Philipot et al 1993).…”

Physical properties of synthetic bedding materials for free-stall dairy cow

“…Dairy cows need to optimize their lying time, as disturbed rest may affect milk production by reducing the secretion of growth hormone (Munksgaard and Løvendahl 1993). Reduced lying time is also associated with hoof disease and lameness (Singh et al 1993, Leonard et al 1994, Faull et al 1996, Sonck et al 1999). In free stall or cubicle housing, poorly designed stalls lead to reduced stall occupancy (O'Connell et al 1993), and the type of flooring in the stall may affect time spent lying down (Natzke et al 1982, Herlin 1997, Sonck et al 1999.…”