Epidemiological and ethological study of disturbed locomotion and claw disorders in dairy cattle: impact of floor characteristics on welfare (BDG.4891)

Disturbed locomotion and claw disorders (DLCD) are highly impairing the welfare of dairy cattle in the Netherlands. Earlier studies pointed to a high prevalence of subclinical lameness and a considerable incidence of clinical lameness. Floors are being hypothesised as (one of) the main factor(s) influencing the frequency of claw disorders, disturbed locomotion and behavioural suppression of both healthy and affected animals. Therefore, a cross-sectional epidemiological study and subsequently a longitudinal ethological study will be performed. Prevalences of DLCD and associated cow/herd, management and housing factors will be studied in the cross section. This study will take place on a sample of about 70 farms with either concrete slatted floors, solid concrete floors or straw yards.
From each of the three floor type groups, farms with a low, medium and high prevalence of DLCD will be selected for the subsequent longitudinal study. On the selected farms (n=9) an in-depth study of the development over time of the claw disorders, disturbed locomotion, behaviour and their interrelations will be performed. Both winter and summer periods will be included.
The implications of floor and housing conditions for animal welfare will be given and translated into measures that can be incorporated in technical and management requirements for cattle housing.

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