Drying times of umbilical cords of dairy calves

OBJECTIVE: To determine the distribution of drying times of umbilical cords of dairy calves and to determine if cord dryness is a reliable indicator of age. DESIGN: An observational study was undertaken in a spring calving herd in Victoria, of the umbilical cords of 188 calves (82 Friesian bulls, 82 Friesian heifers, 24 crossbreds). PROCEDURE: Umbilical cords were examined daily, visually and by palpation, until the cord to the junction of the skin on the abdomen of the calf was dry, shrivelled and inflexible. RESULTS: Drying times ranged from 1 to 8 days. By the fifth day of life, the umbilical cords of 96.7% of all calves, 97.5% Friesian heifer calves, 87.5% of Friesian bull calves and 100% of cross-bred calves were dry. If cord dryness only was used to select calves for sale, 91.3% of all calves, 86.4% of Friesian bull calves and 100% of cross bred calves could have been sold before their fifth day of life. If calves were selected on age only, 3.3% of all calves, 2.5% of Friesian heifer calves and 12.5% of Friesian bull calves would have been sold before their umbilical cord was dry. CONCLUSION: The dairy industry cannot rely on cord dryness alone as an indicator of age for selection of calves for sale and transportation. Cord dryness is a poor indicator of age.