A research on the effect of fibre content of feed rations on the incidence of subclinical laminitis in beef bulls

By Beeckman, D. and de Kruif, A. and Kruif, A. de and Naert, G., Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift, 1999
Research Paper Web Link / URL:
Description
A study was carried out between 25 September 1997 and 12 July 1998 in Belgium with 52 young beef bulls. Bulls were divided into 4 groups and fed on rations of maize silage (MV) + concentrated feed (KV) with varying fibre content. Group 1 was fed on 51 MV/49 KV, group 2 on 36/64, and group 3 and 4 on 22/78. Animals of group 4 had free access to straw. Thirty-two bulls were housed on a floor covered with a thick layer of sawdust and they also had access to a concrete floor in the open without bedding (Stable I). Twenty bulls were housed on the same type of floor, but without access to the open area (Stable II). Bulls were slaughtered after approximately 200 days (650 kg bodyweight) and sagittal cuts were made through their claws. No significant difference in the incidence of subclinical laminitis was found for different groups. However, bulls housed in stable I showed significantly fewer signs of subclinical laminitis
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