How to manage hoof health easily
Online event series of the Eifel Rural Service Centre
On 21.01. and 04.02.2021, two online seminars of the nationwide Fokus Tierwohl network on the topic of claw health took place at the Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum (DLR) Eifel with the support of the Arbeitsgemeinschaften für Landtechnik und Bauwesen Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar e.V. and the Milchvieh Beratungsring Wittlich-Trier e.V.
Dr Hans-Peter Klindworth, specialist cattle veterinarian from Vierden, kicked off the claw health series with the topic "Influence of husbandry on claw health". He pointed out the biggest weak points, such as uncomfortable or incorrectly dimensioned cubicles, wet and dirty walkways, but also the lack of or inadequate measures in the event of heat stress, which have a negative impact on the cattle's hooves.
Thomas Engelhardt from the Centre for Animal Husbandry and Breeding at the Saxony-Anhalt State Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture then spoke about the most common feeding errors and their effects on claw health. Lack of fibre, structure and energy, but also excess starch or sugar are only a small part of the wide range of possible feeding errors. Good quality coarse feed, needs-based and ruminant-orientated supply, but also consideration and control of body condition can contribute to prevention.
In the second part of the online seminar series, Dr Andrea Fiedler used many images and video sequences to show how to identify lame animals on the farm. Observing the animals at the feed fence, on the way to the milking parlour and in the milking parlour itself is particularly suitable for this. She also gave tips on documentation, the most common tools and the correct implementation of functional hoof care. Close observation of all animals, regular hoof care (at least twice a year) and early detection and treatment make a significant contribution to animal welfare.
The importance of this topic was emphasised by the large number of participants (almost 150 at each seminar) and the lively questions in the concluding discussion rounds. Due to the high demand and the importance of the topic of claw health, a practical section on functional claw care is also being planned for later this year.
Author: Hannah Herres, Service Centre for Rural Areas Eifel