AN ASSESSMENT OF MOISTURE LEVELS AFTER THE APPLICATION OF HOOF-BATHING AGENTS IN PREVENTING FOOT-ROT IN SHEEP

摘要

Hoof-bathing in different chemical agent solutions is currently one of the method preventing sheep foot-rot. This paper presents a long-term assessment of sheep hoof-moisture degree. Sheep hooves were bathed in formalin, Incosan and Mastycyd. The experiments were carried out on 150 Polish long-woollen sheep divided into two groups: indoor and pasture rearing. Each of the four groups was bathed in the four different agent solutions over certain periods of time. The examination of hoof moisture levelwas done three times: before bathing, after half a year of bathing and after a year of bathing. The hoof examinations showed the drying activity of formalin on feet and the lack of such activity after the application of Incozan and Mastycyd. The resultsindicate their possible application in the prevention of this disease.