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Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock
Published on: May 6, 2010
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Hock Lesions, Cow Hygiene, and Compost Quality in Compost-Bedded Pack Barns in Germany
Phillip Andreas Guhl1, Lisa Bachmann2,3, Maike Heppelmann1
1Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|November 13, 2025
Summary
Compost-bedded pack barns (CBPs) in Germany show lower hock lesion prevalence. Good CBP management is crucial for maintaining dairy cow hygiene, influenced by factors like compost dry matter and temperature.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Veterinary Medicine
- Dairy Husbandry
Background:
- Dairy cows housed in compost-bedded pack barns (CBPs) require evaluation for welfare indicators like hock lesions and hygiene.
- Understanding the influence of environmental factors such as season and compost quality is essential for optimizing housing conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of hock lesions and evaluate cow hygiene in dairy cows managed in CBPs in southern Germany.
- To investigate the impact of season, compost characteristics, and housing conditions on hygiene scores and hock lesion occurrence.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted on eight German farms using CBPs between January and December 2023.
- Cow hygiene and hock lesions were scored across 1205 cows (592 in cold season, 613 in warm season).
- Compost samples were analyzed, and bedding pack quality, lying surfaces, and walkways were assessed.
Main Results:
- Poor udder hygiene was more frequent in the cold season (15.0%) than the warm season (7.5%).
- Hock lesions (hairless areas) increased from 1.0% in the cold season to 3.8% in the warm season; swelling was observed in 0.2% in the warm season.
- Compost dry matter and temperature were key factors affecting cow hygiene.
Conclusions:
- Compost-bedded pack barns are associated with a reduced prevalence of hock lesions in dairy cows.
- Effective management of CBPs, focusing on compost variables like dry matter and temperature, is vital for ensuring good cow hygiene.
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