title: [Influence of floor surface and access to pasture on claw characteristics in dairy cows kept in cubicle housing systems].
abstract: This study aimed at investigating the effect of the floor type used in the walking area of cubicle housing systems and of access to pasture on claw dimensions and claw shape in dairy cows. Data were collected on 36 farms, 12 farms each fitted with mastic asphalt, slatted concrete or solid rubber flooring. With each floor type, cows on half of the farms had access to pasture in summer. The farms were visited three times at intervals of about 6 months and data were collected from 10 cows during each visit. Net growth of the claw horn was highest on rubber flooring and lowest on mastic asphalt. On all floor types, claw angles were larger after the winter period and smaller after the summer period. With regard to claw shape, floor type had an effect on the occurrence of flat, concave and overgrown claw soles. In conclusion, none of the investigated floor types was clearly superior to the others with regard to claw dimensions and claw shape, and access to pasture during summer (median 4 h per day) had only little influence on the investigated claw characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Switzerland.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Haufe
authors.affiliation: Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Switzerland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Friedli
authors.affiliation: Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Switzerland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gygax
authors.affiliation: Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Switzerland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wechsler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003612:Dairying; D005260:Female; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D006724:Hoof and Claw / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006799:Housing, Animal; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Bodentyp; Klauendimensionen; Klauenform; Milchkühe; Weide; claw dimensions; claw shape; dairy cows; floor type; pasture