ruminant production( body conformation)

Training Institute For Technical Instruction(TITI)

Sanothimi- Bhaktapur, Nepal

EDLS207-LivestockProduction(Ruminant)

Krishna Aryal

Msc.Ag

Tribhuvan University

Nepal05/26/2017

1Krishna Aryal



Body conformation

and

Identification of

Ruminants

05/26/2017 2Krishna Aryal



An animal’s value is the sum of its performance and what

it looks like.

Thus conformation is needed to determine the value of

animals




What is conformation?

The shape or structure of something,

especially an animal.

Structural arrangement.

A symmetrical arrangement of the

parts of a thing.

Visual aspects of an animal.

What it looks like!




Why is conformation important?

Elements of conformation are thought to be

heritable.

Animals that have conformation defects may

have reduced productivity and/or longevity.

Many conformation defects get worse with

age.

If physical traits are not positively selected

for, they will be gradually lost.

Animals with good conformation are valued

and usually worth more money. No one likes to look at ugly sheep!




1. Stature

2. Chest Width

3. Body Depth

4. Angularity

5. Rump Angle

6. Rump Width

7. Rear Legs Set

8. Rear Legs Rear View

9. Foot Angle

10. Fore Udder Attachment

11. Rear Udder Height

12. Central Ligament

13. Udder Depth

14. Front Teat Placement

15. Teat Length

16. Rear Teat Placement

17. Locomotion

18. Body condition score

What constitutes conformation in a Cattle and Buffalo?




StatureMeasured from the top of the spine in

between hips to ground.

Taller or higher stature is a desirable trait

This type of animal usually carries their

udder higher and prevent occurrence of

mastitis

Larger stature also reflects bigger body

size, tends to eat more feed and directs more

nutrients to produce higher milk




Chest WidthIndicates body capacity of an

animal and measured from the

inside surface between the top

of the front legs.

A cow with a very wide front

part indicates larger body

capacity and higher productive

ability

Narrow Intermediate Wide




Body Depth (BD)Distance between top of spine and bottom of barrel at last rib –

the deepest point: independent of stature.

Deep body depth is indicative of larger digestive system which

is further associated with increased capacity to consume large

amounts of concentrate and forages and hence produce more milk

Shallow Intermediate Deep




AngularityThe angle and spring of the ribs

Ribs should be wide apart and slanted toward the rear and referred

to as openness.

Rib bones should have adequate depth

Lacks angularity Intermediate very angular




Rump AngleMeasured as the angle of the rump structure from hooks (hips) topinsProper rump conformation is important because it providesproper support to udderA rump with the pin bone slightly lower than the hips, along withwider pins is preferred - lesser calving difficulty, fewerreproductive problems, better uterine drainage, improved genitaltract health

High pin Intermediate Slope05/26/2017 13Krishna Aryal



Rump Width

The distance between the most posterior point of pin bones.

The rump width on either side of extreme is associated with

reproductive ailments

Narrow Intermediate Wide




Rear Legs Rear View

Direction of the rear feet when viewed from back

Cows that hock-in and toe out have increased stress on their feet

and legs and may have increased trauma to the rear udder as they

walk

The hind legs of a dairy cow should be set well apart and nearly

straight when viewed from the rear

Hock in Slight toe out Straight05/26/2017 15Krishna Aryal



Rear Legs SetAngle measured at the front of the

hock.

The optimal angle at the hocks

measures between 150 to 155 Degrees

A bigger angle means straight rear

posty legs and a lower angle means

sickled rear legs

The most desirable set is somewhere

between the posty and sickled legs

The intermediate set of hock angle

could be related with increased herd

life

Straight Intermediate Sickled




Foot Angle

Angle at the front of the rear hoof measured from the floor to

the hairline at the right hoof

Cows that have a steep foot angle require less hoof trimming

have better mobility and greater longevity

The steep foot angle is the most desirable, because it enables

the cow to cope better with uneven and stony ground

Low Intermediate Steep05/26/2017 17Krishna Aryal



Fore Udder Attachment

The strength of attachment of the fore udder to the abdominal

wall

The strong fore udder attachment is the most desirable.

Loose Intermediate Strong




Front Teat Placement

The position of the front teat from the centre of quarter as viewed

from the rear.

Both fore and rear teat placements at either extreme of

measurement in cows increases the chances of being culled

Intermediate placement is desirable

Outside of quarter Intermediate Inside of quarter




Teat Length

The length of the front teat

The teat with intermediate length is most desirable

Short Intermediate Long




Udder Depth

The distance from the lowest part of the udder floor to the hock.

Higher udders are related with less mastitis, less udder injury and

greater longevity.

Deep Intermediate Shallow




Rear Udder Height

The distance between the bottom of the vulva and the milk

secreting tissue: in relation to the height of the animal

A high rear udder attachment is thought to be an indicator of

more udder and milk production capacity.

Low Intermediate High




Central Ligament

The depth of cleft at the base of the rear udder

A deep udder cleft is an indicator of a strong median suspensory

ligament

Strong suspensory ligament causes uniform placement of teats at

udder floor, whereas loose ligament make wide space between

teats which often creates problem during machine milking

Broken Intermediate Strong




Rear Teat Placement

The position of the rear teat from the centre of quarter

Intermediate placement is desirable

Outside Intermediate Inside




Locomotion

The use of legs and feet, length and direction of the step

Highest priority is given to the direction of the step and gets

highest score when we observe parallel and long strides, free and

smooth movement, footsteps of the rear legs is in or in front of the

footsteps of the forelegs

Severe abduction or adduction and short strides are treated as

poor locomotion




Body Condition ScoreThe covering of fat over the tail head & rump

Poor Intermediate Grossly fat




Hock development

Cleanness and dryness of the hock

The desirable type of hock is completely ‘clean and dry’ without

any fluid




Bone structure

The thickness and width of the bone structure

Coarse bone (broad and thick) is undesirable

Intermediate bones are desirable

Broad and thick Intermediate Flat05/26/2017 28Krishna Aryal



Rear udder width

Width of the udder at the point where the milk secretion tissue is

attached to the body

Higher width is desirable




Teat thickness

Thickness of the teat in the middle of the front teat

The teats with intermediate thickness is believed to be

intermediate type

Muscular teat is desirable




What constitutes conformation in a sheep and goat?

1. Mouth (teeth and bite)

2. Feet, legs, and hooves

3. Back, top line, shoulder

4. Volume and capacity

5. Substance of bone

6. Muscling

7. Frame size

8. Condition

9. Sex characteristics

10. Balance and eye appeal




Sound mouthBite (jaw alignment) Teeth




Jaw alignment (bite)Properly aligned jaw

Teeth should meet dental pad

Sheep with jaw abnormalities

may have difficulty nursing, eating and/or

grazing.

Bites rarely improve with age.

Jaw defects are inherited.

Cull both parents, if known (?)

Diet can affect jaw alignment.05/26/2017 33Krishna Aryal



Jaw abnormalities

Overshot (parrot mouth) Undershot (monkey mouth)




NormalSlight defect

1-3 mmCull rams (?)Keep ewes

Severe defect >3 mm

Cull rams and ewes




Feet, legs, hooves

Move freely

Painlessly

Normal gait

Straight legs that come out of each

corner of body

Stand squarely

Proper angle to pasterns.

Healthy hooves




CorrectCalf-kneed

Weak pasterns Buck-kneed

Front legs (side view)




Pasterns




. Front legs (front view)

Correct Splay-footed Pigeon-toed Knock-kneed




Rear legs (side view)

CorrectSickle hocked Post-legged




.

Correct Bow-legged Cow-hocked

Rear legs (rear view)




Healthy hooves

Free from disease

No abnormal growth

No excessive growth

Favor dark colored hooves




Back, topline, shoulder

Neck: Strong, of medium length: extends

straight into the shoulder.

Shoulders: Blend smoothly into the neck

and back; shoulder blades have good width

between and are level with or slightly

higher than the back.

Back: Strong, smooth, and broad.

Weak shoulders or back are considered a

defect05/26/2017 43Krishna Aryal



Volume

capacity, spring of rib

Chest: Wide and deep enough to

provide ample room for good heart and

lung capacity.

Slightly less width than hindquarters in

females.

Ribs: Well sprung, wide and deep.

Abdomen: Large capacity for

consuming forage and carrying lambs

(bottom or side line should not

necessarily be straight).05/26/2017 44Krishna Aryal



MusclingWell-developed upper arm muscle in rams.

Strong, smooth, and broad back.

Loin long, wide, deep and well-fleshed.

Wide and well fleshed rump; rounded appearance; deep

in twist.

Muscles of the thigh are thick, with obvious muscularity

on the inner and outer thigh, carried down to the shank.




Substance of bone

Thickness of the cannon bone of the front leg

Light bone structure is considered a defect

Frame size (height + length)

Frame size is used to predict the size of the lamb when it is

finished; larger framed lambs finish at heavier weights than

smaller framed lambs.

Frame size may influence the ease with which lambs are

finished, especially on forage diets.




Sex characteristics

Rams/Wether should be masculine Ewes/ Does should be feminine




Testicles

Two testicles

Well hung

Free from disease

Similar size

Firm

Movable




Teats and udder

Two normal teats

Equal size udder halves

Free from disease

No lumps, hardness

Good attachment

Two functional halves




Balance and eye appeal

How well the animal’s parts fit together.

Straightness of lines

Proportionalism

Smoothness

Attractiveness




Identification of Ruminants

Animal identification using a means of marking is a process

done to identify and track specific animals.

Identification allow sound management of:

Breeding programs

Disease identification and treatment

Sale of stock–including quality assurance and disease

control/traceability

Animal assessment and selection

Ownership




Method of Identification

Ear tagging

Ear tags are metals pieces that have letters

or numbers engraved on them

They are readily available, relatively cheap,

and relatively easy to use

They can be torn out and lost, there is some

pain associated with their insertion, and poor

technique can lead to infection.




Ear Tattooing

Method of putting an identification mark on

animals with light coloured ears

Involves punching several small holes with

a die (specifically meant for tattooing) in the

form of letters or numbers through the skin

on the inside of the animal’s ear and they are

then filled with tattoo ink




Number tagging

Involves fastening metal tags to neck chains

and putting the chain around the neck of

each animal




Branding

Normally done when the

animals are very young or

before they are weaned

Involves gentle press of a

heated number or symbol on

the body of the animal

Causes partial burning of the

skin tissue and results into a

permanent scar showing the

number or symbol




Ear notching

Involves making notches cut in

the ears of the animals

Notch represents a number

based on its location (in the

bottom, top or end of the ear as

well as the ear it is in)

This method is commonly used

on pigs goats and sheep.




Thank You

Any Queries?????


ruminant production( body conformation)

Science