Field study of hind limb claw lesions and claw measures in sows.

Abstract

We investigated the associations of hind limb claw lesions with claw measures and reproductive performance of sows on a commercial breeding farm. We used a five-point scale (score of 0-4) for each hind limb claw region to generate a claw lesion score (CLS). Of 110 sows, 1.8% had no hind claw lesions, and the remaining 98.2% had at least one. The proportions of sows with a CLS of 2 and 3 were 49.1% and 3.6%, respectively. The junction region had the highest frequency of a CLS of &#x2265;&#x2009;2 (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). The mean toe length was 45.0&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;0.4 to 46.4&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;0.4&#x2009;mm. Sows with the highest CLS of &#x2265;&#x2009;2 in the lateral claw had longer sole dimensions than did sows with the highest CLS of &#x2264;&#x2009;1 (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). There were no significant differences in claw width or height between sows with the highest CLS of &#x2265;&#x2009;2 and &#x2264;&#x2009;1. There was also no difference in reproductive performance between sows with the highest CLS of &#x2265;&#x2009;2 and &#x2264;&#x2009;1. In conclusion, most sows had hind claw lesions. The association between CLS and claw measures indicates that the sole length can be used as an indicator of claw lesions.