Hygiene |
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Hygiene is scored to evaluate if cattle have a comfortable, clean, and dry space to lie down. Cattle prefer dryer lying areas, and spend more time resting on dry surfaces. Hygiene is scored in the parts of the body that are likely to come in contact with the lying surface.
Which animals to assess:
Using the sampling guidelines, score:
- Calves
- Weaned heifers
- Springers
- Lactating cows
When to assess:
Only standing animals will be evaluated. All classes of animals should be scored around feeding to facilitate this. If groups of animals are lying down, it is recommended that the auditor walk quietly amongst the animals, as this will often encourage them to stand. Cattle should be left lying if they do not rise after a calm walking of the pen.
Cows suspected to be non-ambulatory may be encouraged to stand (gentle knee to the rump) to evaluate their ability to stand.
Hygiene should be scored while the auditor is standing at the same level as the animal, often from the rear and side. This may be done while animals are eating, milling around or being milked in flat-barns or tiestalls, at the same time tails and body condition and potentially hocks are evaluated. In cases where cattle are spread out on pastures or large areas not easily navigated without causing undue stress or mini stampedes, it is acceptable to use binoculars to tally the number of cattle with poor hygiene (score 3). In this case, the auditor should record that proper scoring could not be done, but that cursory evaluation of the group revealed “X” number of cattle were found to be emaciated or with poor hygiene.
If the number of standing animals able to be scored is less than required by the sample calculator, use the number scored and provide an explanation in the comment section.
Cows suspected to be non-ambulatory may be encouraged to stand (gentle knee to the rump) to evaluate their ability to stand.
Hygiene should be scored while the auditor is standing at the same level as the animal, often from the rear and side. This may be done while animals are eating, milling around or being milked in flat-barns or tiestalls, at the same time tails and body condition and potentially hocks are evaluated. In cases where cattle are spread out on pastures or large areas not easily navigated without causing undue stress or mini stampedes, it is acceptable to use binoculars to tally the number of cattle with poor hygiene (score 3). In this case, the auditor should record that proper scoring could not be done, but that cursory evaluation of the group revealed “X” number of cattle were found to be emaciated or with poor hygiene.
If the number of standing animals able to be scored is less than required by the sample calculator, use the number scored and provide an explanation in the comment section.
How to assess:
The areas of the body that contact the lying area will be evaluated and are divided into 2 areas: the side (highlighted in yellow) and thigh (highlighted in green). The tail head, top-line, and lower legs are not evaluated. If both sides of the animal are visible, score the worst side.
For all scores, hair covered in manure but broken into plaques is considered a continuous area.
For all scores, hair covered in manure but broken into plaques is considered a continuous area.
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Score 1: Acceptable
Manure or mud (may be dried) on flank or hind leg is less than 11" or 28 cm (adults, springers) or 5.5" or 14 cm (milk-fed calves, weaned heifers) in diameter |
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Score 2: Moderate
Areas of manure or mud (may be dried) greater than 11" or 28 cm (adults, springers) or 5.5" or 14 cm (milk-fed calves, weaned heifers) in diameter in 1 of 2 scored areas on the same side |
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Score 3: Poor
Area of mud or manure (may be dried) greater than 11" or 28 cm (adults, springers) or 5.5" or 14 cm (milk-fed calves, weaned heifers) in diameter in 2 of 2 scored areas on the same side. In some pens it may not be possible to score animals effectively as individuals. In those cases, record an estimate of the number of cattle that score a 3. |
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