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Broken tails in Holstein dairy cattle: A cross-sectional study
Hannah E Olsen1, Karly N Anderson1,2, Katherine C Creutzinger1
1Department of Animal and Food Science, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls 54022.
JDS Communications
|July 31, 2023
Summary
Dairy cows with broken tails are more common in older, multiparous cows and those treated multiple times for mastitis. These findings highlight the link between handling, health, and dairy cow welfare.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Welfare
Background:
- Low-stress handling is crucial for dairy cattle welfare.
- Tail twisting, a handling method, can cause tail fractures if applied forcefully.
- Understanding factors associated with tail injuries is vital for improving herd management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify cow-level factors associated with broken tail prevalence in dairy cattle.
- To investigate the relationship between cow characteristics and tail fractures.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study assessed 229 Holstein dairy cows for broken tails.
- Tails were visually inspected for deviations indicating fractures.
- Poisson regression models analyzed associations between cow factors and broken tails.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of broken tails was 45.8%.
- Multiparous cows had a higher prevalence of broken tails than primiparous cows (PR = 1.70).
- Cows treated multiple times for mastitis showed a greater prevalence of broken tails compared to those treated once or never.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged farm presence and repeated mastitis treatments are linked to increased risk of broken tails.
- Dairy cow handling, health status, and welfare are interconnected and multifactorial.
- Findings suggest a need for improved handling techniques and health management to reduce tail injuries.
