Excerpt from the International Journal of Livestock Research, K. H. Sadharakiya1, L. M. Sorathiya2*, A. P. Raval2, G. P. Sabapara3 and P.C.Patel1 Department of LPM, Vanbandhu College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari-396 450, Gujarat, INDIA
The present study was conducted on 18 lactating crossbred cows by dividing them into two homogeneous groups randomly. The cows of treatment group were kept in shed having rubber mat flooring, whereas the cows of control were kept on concrete floor. The objective was to study the effect of rubber mat flooring on hygiene, locomotion, hock and knee injury scoring. Cleanliness, locomotion and hock and knee injury scoring were done by standard methods at fortnight interval by two researchers by assigning 1-4 scores. Result revealed that overall locomotion score on rubber mat (1.33±0.07) was significantly lower (p<0.01) than cows on concrete floor (1.70±0.10). Mean overall hygiene score for the cow kept in rubber mat was 1.66±0.09 and 2.00±0.08 in cows kept on concrete floor, whereas the overall hock and knee injury score in cows on rubber mat and concrete floor was 1.21±0.04 and 1.90±0.05, respectively. The hygiene scoring and hock and knee injury scoring between both groups was also significant (p<0.01). Experimental findings suggested that rubber mat may reduce lameness problem. Chances of hock and knee injury can be reduced and welfare can be improved in crossbred cows by using rubber mats.
