Chuck’s Big Adventure at Gilfillan Mary Lynne Spazok
Using a portable hydraulic elevated hoof trimming chute, Chuck, the bull, experienced Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride last summer at the Gilfillan Farm. New for Chuck, he experienced a bovine pedicure! The hoof is a complex structure that plays a key role in the animal’s overall health and productivity. Healthy hooves lead to strong animals. A lame bovine experiences pain just like humans do. Therefore, maintaining a rigorous hoof management routine assures animal owners reduced economic loss and increased profitability. Nutrition also plays a key role in hoof health and proper growth rate. By keeping an animal well fed with proper nutrients, including zinc and biotin (water-soluble B vitamin), a good-quality hoof horn and tougher Chuck, before his pedicure feet will result. Cattle do not require extensive trimming if the hoof reChuck, after his pedicure mains balanced and wears down evenly on all walls. The most important practice in caring for the hooves is regular cleaning and Hoof pick tool trimming to restore the natural shape and keep the load bearing surfaces properly proportioned. After all, Chuck is no “skinny minnie!” Trimming schedules can depend on a number of factors. For example, animals that are kept in pasture are less likely to develop painful foot problems. Although one may deduce that animals kept on cement may wear down their feet more quickly, hooves still need to be trimmed frequently because the hard cement is many times more uncomfortable for a misshapen hoof than is a pasture. In addition, the rough surface of the cement can stimulate more blood flow to the hoof, thereby increasing hoof tissue growth. It is a general practice to check and trim hooves (if needed) twice a year. Cleaning requires a tool called a hoof pick. It is used in a Cow Senses toe-to-heel action to dig out matter that has built up on the sole Cows are able to see color. and clefts. This is the best opportunity to inspect the hoof and Cows have almost a 360-degree panoramic vision. sole for foreign object penetration. Disciplined observation of discoloration and discharge by an experienced bovine pedicurCows have a keen sense of smell up to five miles away. ist reduces the chance for potential, perhaps fatal (entire herd), infection. Proper hoof trimming restores the hoof’s natural shape Lifespan to allow the animal’s weight to be evenly distributed and provides Cows can live up to 25 years. for the animal’s contentment. The number of rings on the horns equals the cow’s So there you have it. The head of the herd, the “big kahuna,” approximate age. experienced a tilt-a-whirl bovine spa pedicure! Be sure to visit Chuck at Gilfillan Farm this USC Community Day, Saturday, May Anatomy 19. Remember, Chuck’s always in a happy mooo-d! n
Did You Know?
No two cows have the same pattern or spots. A cow generally weighs between 2000 and 2800 pounds.
What’s in a Name?
An adult male cow is a bull. An adult female is a cow. A young cow is a calf.
Diet
Cows eat corn, hay, barley, beet pulp, grass, and wheat.
What Do Cows Give Humans?
Portable hydraulic elevated hoof trimming chute 16
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Spring 2012
Cows give humans love, milk, leather, and meat. Milk can be made into other dairy products, including butter, cheese, and yogurt.