Conformation of hind legs and lameness in Danish Holstein heifers.

摘要: Lameness causes major financial losses and welfare problems in dairy herds. Prevention of foot lesions may suffice the majority lameness cases. The objectives this longitudinal study were to describe dynamics associations between abnormal hind leg conformation, asymmetric claws, lameness, 122 Danish Holstein heifers from an average 41 d before first calving until dry off or culling. cattle housed either a free-stall system with cubicles deep-bedded straw yard. claws all examined on up 5 occasions. lesions, symmetry shape dorsal toe-wall, conformation legs statistically using mixed models. A large proportion (81%) had cow-hocked wide-based stance, hocks together, lateral rotation calving, 25% locomotion scores above 2, indicating signs calving. Our results indicate that acquired precalving persist throughout lactation. Thinner cows more cow-hocked, higher frequency sole hemorrhages. Increased severity white line lesion was associated greater claw asymmetry. More severe hemorrhages found symmetric claws.