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Risk Factors for Tail Alterations on German Dairy Farms.
Rieke Claussen1, Roswitha Merle2, Marina Volland1
1Unit for Internal Medicine and Surgery, Farm Animal Clinic, Division for Ruminants and Camelids, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Dairy cow tail alterations are linked to farm management and cow health. Deep cubicles, lameness, and higher parity increase tail deviations, while injuries and metabolic issues cause shortened tails.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Animal Welfare
- Dairy Production
Background:
- Tail alterations in dairy cows are a significant animal welfare issue.
- Understanding risk factors is crucial for improving dairy herd management and cow well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify farm- and animal-level risk factors for deviated and shortened tails in German dairy cows.
Main Methods:
- Conducted farm visits, questionnaires, and analyzed milk yield records on 765 German dairy farms.
- Performed regression analyses at both the animal and farm levels to assess risk factors.
Main Results:
- Farm-level factors associated with deviated tails include deep cubicles, larger cows, higher care ratios, and German Holstein breed.
- Animal-level factors for deviated tails include lameness and higher parity.
- Shortened tails linked to deviated tails, manure scrapers, and higher milk fat-to-protein ratios.
Conclusions:
- Tail deviations are associated with health and management factors.
- Shortened tails may indicate acute injuries or metabolic disorders.
- Further longitudinal studies are recommended to understand tail alteration pathogenesis.
