Effects of stall type and bedding materials on lameness and hygiene score and effect of lameness on some reproductive problems in dairy cattle

Abstract

This study determined the effects of two different stall types and three different bedding materials on lameness during June 2009. Effect of lameness was also examined and was searched between hygiene score and reproductive problems in this study. Seven hundred and nine cows that housed a total of 37 dairy herds were examined, and locomotion score (lameness) of cows that were housed in free-stall was found lower than tie-stall on concrete bedding (P<0.05). Locomotion score was compared only in the free-stall herds between different bedding materials, and there were no significant differences between mean of locomotion scores on concrete, sand or rubber bedding in this study. Herds that have higher mean of hygiene score was seen also have higher mean of locomotion score (r=0.649, P<0.01) and it was determined that retained placenta and repeat breeding were dependent on lameness.

Keywords:

• lameness
• locomotion score
• bedding materials
• stall type
• hygiene score

1. Introduction

Foot diseases are serious welfare problems and causes significant economic losses in dairy cattle. Lameness is often an important indicator of foot diseases. On the other hand, it causes no obvious immediate loss, although Green et al. (2002) and Onyiro et al. (2008) have shown that it reduces milk yield. The major economic loss caused by lameness comes from a reduction in fertility and an increase in culling. Similarly, Yaylak (2008) reported that most economic loss due to lameness results from costs of early culling, treatment, discarded milk, decreased milk production and reduced reproductive efficiency. Factors that have been associated with lameness are individual factors like stage of lactation, parity, weight, genetics, and herd factors, like housing, environment, management and nutrition (Vermunt and Greenough 1994). Different stall bases are currently available to producers (Fulwider and Palmer 2004). Some housing types, especially with poor and unhygienic bedding materials, often give rise to under problems and lameness. The effects of different types of bedding materials (straw, sand, saw dust, rubber mats, etc.) and floor types on the hoof health and animal performance have been well documented by many researchers (Rowland et al. 1983; Hassan et al. 1998; Haley et al. 2001). Negative effects of lameness on fertility in dairy cows and an increased risk of culling have been reported (Cook 2003). A study published in 1996 by the National Animal Health Monitoring System indicated that 15% of cows culled from dairy herds in the USA were culled because of ‘direct effect’ of lameness (Shearer and Van Amstel 2007). The incidence of hoof and leg problems has increased in European cattle in recent years and now is up to 50% of housed cows in some regions (Phillips and Morris 2001).

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of stall type and bedding materials on lameness and hygiene score and effect of lameness on some reproductive problems in dairy cattle.

2. Materials and methods

2.1. Selection of cows

A total of 37 dairy herds in three centre villages of Bursa (Osmangazi, Nilüfer, Mudanya) with 1052 cows were visited during June 2009. Records of 220 cows that have got lactation length over 400 days and 26 cows that have got lactation length under 260 days were not included, because it was not considered within normal managerial limits. Records of 97 cows with missing data (days in lactation) were not included. A total of 709 cows were included in the study. For each cow the following data were collected: lactation length (day), dystocia (yes, no), retained placenta (yes, no), clinical mastitis (yes, no), repeat breeding (yes, no). Lactation length (day) data were collected at the end of lactation from the database of Cattle Breeder's Association of Bursa.

2.2. Selection of herds

Herds were selected by the members of Cattle Breeder's Association of Bursa. 22 of 37 herds included in the study housed lactating cows in free-stall, while 15 herds housed in tie-stall. For each herd that was under identical management conditions the following data were collected: stall type (free-stall, tie-stall), walkway surface (concrete, pressed soil and compost), stall surface (concrete, sand and other). The rate of lameness with reference to locomotion score was investigated in 6 free-stall herds with sand bedding, 3 free-stall herds with rubber, 13 free-stall herds with concrete and 15 tie stall herds with concrete bedding.

2.3. Locomotion scoring

In this study, cows were evaluated for their lameness status using a 4-point locomotion score modified from Sprecher et al. (1997), according to which 0, normal gait (the cow stands and walks with a level-back posture); 1, mildly lame (the cow stands with a level-back posture but assumes an arched-back posture while walking); 2, moderately lame (an arched back is evident both while the animal is standing and while it walks; the gait is affected and step asymmetry is visible); and 3, severely lame (an arched back is evident both while the animal stands and while it walks. The cow favours one (or more) limb(s)). This scale was dichotomised into sound (score 0) and lame (score 1–3).

2.4. Hygiene scoring

Cleanliness scores were based on a system devised by Cook (2002a). It charts the degree of manure contamination in three main zones: the udder, the lower leg (rear only) and the upper leg and flank. All cows in this study were scored on a 1–4 scale on three regions of their bodies: lower leg; udder; and flank and upper leg. Lower scores were indicative of cleaner body regions. A score of 1 signified little flecks or no manure in the region. A score of 2 meant there was minor splashing of manure in the region. A score of 3 indicated distinct plaques of manure with some hair visible and a score of 4 denoted confluent plaques of manure covering the area (Figure 1).

Figure 1.  A chart for hygiene score.

2.5. Statistical analyses

Between the stall types, only free-stall herds with concrete bedding was compared with tie-stall with concrete bedding because there was no other bedding options for tie-stall herds. Due to a similar reason, effect of concrete, sand or rubber bedding on locomotion score was compared only in the free-stall herds. Because walkway surface is pressed soil in all of the free-stall herds, the effect of walkway surface on lameness could not be evaluated. Mean of locomotion score of cows that live in the same herd was calculated to determine the effect of herd type on the lameness t test that was used to compare the means of locomotion score of free-stall or tie-stall herds with concrete bedding. Also, one-way ANOVA was used to compare the means of locomotion score of free-stall herds with concrete, sand or rubber bedding to determine whether lameness is affected by stall surface or not. In order to determine whether some reproductive traits are affected by lameness or not, χ ² test was used. Data were analysed using MINITAB 13.0 (2000).

3. Results and discussion

3.1. Effects of stall type and bedding materials on lameness

According to the results, it was determined that there was a significant difference between two stall types. Mean of locomotion score of tie-stall herds was found higher than free-stall herds (P<0.05). Considering results for analysis, there were not any significant differences between mean of locomotion scores of free-stall herds with concrete, sand or rubber bedding. Means and standard errors (SE) of locomotion scores are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Means and standard errors (SE) of locomotion scores for different stall types and bedding materials.

Stall type	N	Mean (SE)	P
Tie-stall	15	1.781 (0.096)	0.043
Free-stall	13	1.526 (0.070)
Bedding material
Concrete	13	1.526 (0.070)
Sand	6	1.446 (0.061)
Rubber	3	1.450 (0.173)

3.2. Effects of stall type and bedding materials on hygiene

Based on the results of analysis, there were not any significant differences with regard to hygiene score between neither stall type nor different bedding materials. Effects of stall type and bedding materials on hygiene score are shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Means and standard errors (SE) of hygiene scores for different stall types and bedding materials.

Stall type	N	Mean (SE)
Tie-stall	15	2.751 (0.202)
Free-stall	13	2.367 (0.110)
Bedding material
Concrete	13	2.367 (0.114)
Sand	6	2.377 (0.244)
Rubber	3	2.289 (0.200)

3.3. Relationship with hygiene and lameness

There was a significant correlation between mean of hygiene and locomotion score (r=0.649, P<0.01). In other words, it was seen that herds that have higher mean of hygiene score (herds with dirtier cows) also have higher mean of locomotion score.

3.4. Effects of lameness on some reproductive problems

Effects of lameness on some reproductive problems (clinical mastitis, dystocia, retained placenta and repeat breeding) were analysed with χ ² test. As shown in Table 3, retained placenta and repeat breeding were dependent on lameness.

Table 3. Effects of lameness on some reproductive problems.

	Clinical mastitis	Dystocia	Retained placenta	Repeat breeding
χ ^2	4.708	2.329	9.564	125.307
P	0.195	0.507	0.023	0.000

Foot, leg and udder disorders are among the most common production diseases related to imperfect housing and management (de Graves and Fetrow 1993). Husbandry systems are frequently associated with restraint or confinement that inhibits locomotor activity. As a matter of fact, tie-stall herds are less common among newly established dairies (Hultren 2002). Cows’ needs for free movement are easier to meet in a loose housing system (free-stall herds) than in a tie-stall system and consequently loose housing systems (free-stall herds) are becoming widely used in Western countries (Telezhenko and Bergsten 2005). On the other hand, it has been reported that lameness is more common in loose housing systems (free-stall herds) than in tie stalls (Phillips and Morris 2001). Several studies have reported fewer lameness problems in tie-stall herds (Cook 2003), but a Wisconsin survey of Cook Cook (2002c) reported no significant difference between tie-stall and free-stall herds.

In our study we observed locomotion score and hygiene score of cows that were housed in free-stall or tie-stall herds with concrete bedding, and locomotion score that is indicator of lameness was lower in free-stall barns than tie-stall herds.

Most walkways and stall surface in cattle houses are concrete because it is fairly durable, cheap and resistant to wear and has acceptable hygienic characteristics. However, hardness, abrasiveness and slipperiness are less desired features of concrete floors and can contribute to foot lesions and lameness (Phillips and Morris 2001; Telezhenko and Bergsten 2005). Rubber floors are often installed in selective areas in which cows spend a significant amount of time standing or walking (i.e., feeding alleys and return walking lanes) with the perception that a softer surface will reduce pressure on the claws, reduce incidence of lameness, and lessen claw growth and wear. Therefore, for cows have more standing time, rubber bedding are mostly preferred in free-stall herds by the breeders. Despite the increased interest in the use of rubber flooring, however, few reports describe its effectiveness in preventing claw lesions and decreasing lameness (Vanegas et al. 2006). Recent studies using this type of flooring material have found improvements in claw health Vanegas et al. (2006) and the locomotion behaviour of cows having different degrees of lameness (Telezhenko and Bergsten 2005).

Sand bedding, despite being popular in some areas, is often not preferred by the cows. Moreover, Manninen et al. (2002) observed that cows avoided sand. There is some evidence that cows prefer lying down on straw rather than sand (Manninen et al. 2002), but this can be altered with greater experience of sand (Norring et al. 2008). Furthermore, the reduced risk of mastitis or lameness (Phillips and Morris 2001) with sand bedding may compensate for the lack of preference.

There were no significant differences between mean of locomotion scores of free-stall herds with concrete, sand or rubber bedding in this study. One of the underlying reasons of this result can be the season in which the study was made, i.e. summer. Cook (2003) reported that mean lameness prevalence was significantly higher during the winter than during the summer. Second reason is floor choosing of cows. Lying times are lower and standing times are higher when dairy cattle are forced to use hard surfaces, specifically concrete (Haley et al. 2000). In this study, cows preferred softer area for lying or standing such as walkway area and all free-stall barns that were searched in this study have got pressed soil walkway. The third reason is the limited number of animals used in the study.

The practical relevance of quantifying hygiene is described in relation to the prevalence of mastitis and lameness. Aspects of free-stall and tie-stall design which impact hygiene and lying times are reviewed, and the link between cow comfort and lameness is explored (Telezhenko and Bergsten 2005). Lower leg zone contamination will indicate the amount of manure that the cows have to walk through in alleyways and exercise areas. The upper leg and flank zone will reflect contamination from lying in manure on the rear of stalls and in wet unhygienic dirt lots. Undocked tails that hang in wet manure filled alleys will also contribute to manure contamination in this zone. The transfer of manure from the lower legs and tail to the udder has been elegantly shown previously (Cook 2002b), leaving the udder the most important area to score. Typically, free-stall cows will have high lower leg scores due to poor alleyway hygiene. A few individual cows may have high flank and udder scores if they are lying in alleyways, but this does not usually present as a group problem. In contrast, tie-stall cows usually have relatively clean lower legs, as they have less exposure to deep manure in alleys, but they tend to have higher flank and upper leg scores – from lying in manure deposited on the rear of the stall (Telezhenko and Bergsten 2005).

In this study, there were no significant differences with regard to hygiene score between neither stall type nor different bedding materials. The underlying reason could be that all cows housed in free-stall barns have preferred walkway area that involved water because of hot air condition and surface of walkway areas all free-stall barns in this study were the same (pressed soil).

For hygiene scoring to be taken seriously, there must be a cost associated with keeping animals dirty. For dairy cows, the cost of poor hygiene is an increased risk of mastitis and lameness (Cook 2002b). Constantly in contact with feces and urine of the legs claw become, susceptible to infection and causes lameness in later stages (Vermunt and Greenough 1994). Likewise, Atasoy (2003) reported that the most important factors that caused claw lesions and in later stage lameness are barn design and hygiene. Moreover, Atasever and Erdem (2009) reported that management factors related to cow cleanness in dairy farms play an important role to obtain higher milk especially at hot or rainy seasons and at the beginning or later lactation stages.

In this study, each herd was searched for correlation between mean of hygiene and locomotion score and a significant similarity was found (r=0.649, P<0.01). In other words, for herds that have got higher mean of hygiene score (dirtier cows) higher mean of locomotion score was found. This result is parallel with those reported by Cook (2002b), Vermunt and Greenough (1994) and Atasoy (2003).

Lameness has contributed to reproductive inefficiency and increased the risk of culling in dairy cows (Sprecher et al. 1997). The disease of cystic ovaries is one of the largest reproductive problems (Pez-Gaitus et al. 2002) and is a risk factor for infertility in dairy cattle. Body condition, increase in milk production, calving season, number of lactations and lameness in the pre-partum period may cause an increase in cystic ovaries (Silvia et al. 2002). Melendez et al. (2003) reported the possibility of cystic ovaries developing in the first 30 days after calving to be 2.63 times higher in lame cattle than in healthy ones. According to the result of breeders’ account made in this study it has been shown that retained placenta and repeat breeding are affected by lameness.

The result of this research for the centre villages in Bursa was that the rate of lameness was found higher in tie-stall barns than free-stall barns. Another result for this study was that rate of repeat breeding showed significant increase depending on the lameness. Repeat breeding, one of the major reproductive problems, is a vital defect for all farms in this study or others. Therefore, proposed stall type for this research is free-stall type that is more common in recent years. The differences between the bedding materials in stalls were not significant, so it can be said that farmers can choose the bedding material which is economical for them. Herds that have got higher mean of hygiene score (dirtier cows) were found to have higher mean of locomotion score. Therefore, this study concludes that for dairy farmers especially who remove manure manually (91%), manure has to be remove more frequently.