newborn calf hoof cut up

[davisdexterfarm]

Hi everyone. I had a bull calf born last night. :banana: Found it this morning with its mother. took them to the calf pen. they all look good except the calf's hooves are all cut /torn up. even the due claws are torn. The front ones are worse then the back. Does anyone have any idea what could have caused this?

 

[chippie]

Are they bloody?
Or so you think that the calf is shedding the soft baby hoof that protects the cow's uterus?
If it just looks raggedy, it is probably shedding the protective covering.

 

[davisdexterfarm]

chippie, No they were not bloody that i know of. Here is a couple of pictures.

Thank you for the reply.

 

[chippie]

that is normal. the calf is shedding the baby hoof. it will peel off and it will have a hard normal looking hoof. how fast it happens depends on whether or not your ground is wet, dry and the surface. It will toughen up in a few days.

Was the calf full term?

 

[Goodlife]

Does the calf seem to be in pain? Is it walking okay. Those hooves sure look tender.

How long does this usually take to clear up Chippie?

 

[davisdexterfarm]

chippie,

I do think that you are right that it was the calf shedding the soft baby hoof. He looked a little better today

Yes the calf was full term. 282 days. Here is a picture of him.

Tell me if you see any thing in him that I should look into.

When he goes to drink from her right side, then he goes to her front end, not the back. He does good from her left side.
is there any thing to be concerned about?

Goodlife

No he Does not seem to be in pain. he is walking okay
Thanks