Studies on the growth and the development of the Claw capsule in new born calves of different breeding lines using linear measurements

Abstract. This study evaluated claw development in 80 calves of different genetic background during the first 70 days of life. Linear claw measurements were found to be useful tools for this purpose. Large differences in claw parameters were observed, depending on the position of the claws, gender and breeding line, including interaction effects between gender and breeding line.

In all four pairs of claws, the medial claws were longer than the lateral claws. Claw width is significantly wider in lateral claws, both hind and fore. Male calves showed significantly higher values than females in most measured parameters except bulb length and angle of the bulb.

Comparing breeding lines, significant differences in some parameters (claw width, length of the diagonal, sole length, axial wall length) were found, which are in discussion to be important in claw soundness. Older cows produced calves with larger claws than calves of younger cows.