Evaluation of the effect of supplementing complex trace minerals on the development of claw lesions in stall-housed sows

Claw lesions may be reduced by trace mineral supplementation of gestation diets.

Claw lesions are very common in pigs and are reported to be associated with lameness. Trace minerals such as Cu, Zn and Mn are critical in the keratinization process and thus may affect the generation and development of lesions. Both the quantity and form (organic or inorganic) determine the bioavailability of the trace minerals. The objective of the present study involving 129 sows (mixed parities) was to evaluate the effect of supplementing complex trace minerals on the development of lesions in different claw areas (side wall, heel, sole, heel-sole junction, white line and overgrown dew claw and toe) of stall-housed gestating sows. The sows were allocated randomly to 2 groups and fed either a control diet (inorganic sulfate minerals, ITM; n = 66; Zn 125 ppm, Mn, 40 ppm and Cu, 15 ppm) or a diet containing complex trace minerals (CTM; n = 63) as a partial substitution of inorganic minerals (Zn, 50 ppm, Mn, 20 ppm and Cu at 10 ppm) fed at isolevels of total trace mineral supplementation. The lesions in different claw areas of these sows were scored by a trained person in 2 consecutive parities at mid-gestation, using a mechanical chute designed for the purpose.

The total score for each claw area was obtained by adding the scores for that area in different claws. The proportions of sows showing either similar scores or lower scores in the second claw lesion examination in the sows fed CTM or ITM were compared using 2-sample proportion test. A higher (P < 0.05) proportion of sows fed CTM (95 vs. 82%) had a decrease in the severity or no change in severity of heel-sole junction lesion score. The proportions of sows with similar or lower scores for total lateral claw lesions, long toes, heel lesions, white line lesions and vertical side wall lesions were higher in the sows fed CTM, though not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

These data suggest a protective effect of complex trace minerals on claw lesions in stall-housed sows.

SS Anil, L Anil, J Deen, SK Baidoo, ME Wilson, and TL Ward, 2010. Journal of Animal Science, 88 (E-Suppl. 2):827.

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Evaluation of the effect of supplementing complex trace minerals on the development of claw lesions in stall-housed sows

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