[Management of the dry and transition periods of dairy cattle in free stall housing systems in Lower Saxony. Part 1: Farm management. Teil 1: Betriebsmanagement]

[Changes in claw and leg health and hair cortisol concentration in dairy cows during the transition from tie-stall to free-stall housing - A study of a medium-sized farm]

OBJECTIVE

Claw health and carpal and tarsal lesions were assessed in a dairy herd during the transition from a tie-stall to a free-stall barn. The stress associated with the change in housing was also evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The initial size of the herd was 57 dairy cows, which were evaluated 4 times, 4-5 months apart, in a hoof-trimming chute. Claw horn and skin lesions of the foot were considered separately. The carpi and hocks were assessed for hair loss and skin lesions, and the hocks were also evaluated for swelling. Tail hair samples were collected from all cows during the second visit, and the cortisol concentration of 3 different sections of the hair was measured.

RESULTS

The high prevalence of digital dermatitis and other skin lesions in the hind legs seen in the tie-stall barn (49 %) did not change significantly during the 14-month study period and was 46 % at the last visit. Heel horn erosions of the hind feet were rare in the tie-stall barn (14 %), but had a prevalence of 100 % at the end of the study. There was a trend for a decrease in the prevalence of other claw horn lesions. The prevalence and severity of carpal and hock lesions decreased significantly in the free-stall barn. Compared to values in cows at the tie-stall barn, the hair cortisol concentration was significantly higher during the transition period and at the free-stall barn.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The target variables were subjected to a multitude of factors but it can be assumed that the more comfortable lying surface in the free-stall barn had the most significant effect on carpal and tarsal joint health. The fluctuating prevalence of claw horn lesions indicates that claws health should be monitored closely. The increase in hair cortisol concentration after the transition to the free-stall barn could imply increased stress, but washout of cortisol in more distal hair segments could not be ruled out.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The results of the present report cannot be directly applied to other herds; however, the significance of cow comfort is highlighted by the presence of fewer carpal and hock lesions. The significant increase in the prevalence of heel horn erosions indicates that the horn capsule is compromised under free-stall conditions.