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Effects of slatted floor with rubber mats combined with different abrasive areas (PEDIKURA) on claw health and integument injuries of fattening bulls
Project
Project code: FLI-ITT-08-FZ-01-14
Contract period: 01.06.2014
- 31.12.2018
Purpose of research: Applied research
In this project on fattening bulls both questions of nutrition and feeding (ITE) and of claw health (ITT) are addressed in parallel. Because claw trimming is not performed in fattening bulls this study investigates the proportion of abrasive surfaces (treatments: 0%, 7.5% or 17% Pedikura) needed in pens with slatted rubber floors for a sufficient claw abrasion and, thus, a robust claw health. Beside measures of claw growth and damages of claws also the dirtiness of animals and skin lesions are assessed. In addition, qualitative assessments of the floor (dirtiness, humidity and grip scores) are included in the study. Long term data from several batches are used to evaluate the longevity and sustainability of abrasive floors as well as the effect of different feeding levels.
Preliminary results suggest that a proportion of 17% of abrasive surface installed in the feeding area improves the claw abrasion and the robustness of claws. The analysis of interactions between claw health and nutrition are still in progress.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal Husbandry
- Agricultural Technology Animal Production
- Animal health
- Animal nutrition
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
FLI - Institute for Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry (FLI - ITT)
