Hock Lesions in Dairy Cows in Cubicle Housing Systems in Germany: Prevalence and Risk Factors

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Cows often have hairless patches, wounds, or swellings at the hocks. These hock lesions are indicators of suboptimal housing conditions. This study assessed how many cows in Germany had hock lesions. Moreover, we analysed which factors were associated with the occurrence of hock lesions (risk factors). Therefore, 554 dairy farms in three different regions in Germany were visited and the hocks of 66,681 cows were assessed. Only cows kept in cubicle housing systems, where cows can move freely, were included. Between 66% and 80% of the cows had at least one hairless patch on the hocks. Moreover, between 8% and 14% of cows had at least one wound and/or swelling at the hocks. Cows that were kept in pens with cubicles that were deep bedded had a lower chance of hock lesions than cows that were kept in cubicles with rubber mats or comfort mats—even if these had a small amount of litter. Cows that were lame, were more likely to have hock lesions. Finally, with increasing age and with a decreasing body condition, the chance of hock lesions rose. ABSTRACT: Hock lesions in dairy cows are an important indicator of animal welfare, in particular housing conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hock lesions in dairy cows kept in cubicle housing systems in three structurally different regions of Germany and to derive recommendations from risk factor analyses. Lactating and dry cows kept in cubicle housing systems were assessed for hock lesions (north: 206 farms with 20,792 cows; south: 156 farms with 8050 cows; east: 192 farms with 37,839 cows). Risk factor analyses were conducted using multi-factorial logistic regression models. The median prevalence of hock lesions (hairless patches, wounds, and/or swelling) at farm level was 79.8% (SD: 25.0; north), 66.2% (SD: 31.0; south), and 78.5% (SD: 26.3; east). The mean prevalence of severe hock lesions (wounds and/or swelling) at farm level was 12.5% (SD: 11.3; north), 8.0% (SD: 13.5; south), and 14.4% (SD: 17.9; east). Cows kept in pens with rubber mats or mattresses (with or without a small amount of litter) had a particularly higher chance of hock lesions compared with cows kept in pens with deep-bedded cubicles (OR: north: 3.1 [2.3–4.2]; south: 8.7 [5.9–13.0], east: 2.0 [1.7–2.4]). The study showed that hock lesions are a widespread problem on German dairy farms with cubicle housing systems. Deep-bedded cubicles are likely to reduce hock lesions and increase cows’ comfort.