Non-Perforating Abomasal Lesions in Veal Calves : Effects of the two production programs 'Naturafarm' and 'conventional' on the prevalence of non-perforating abomasal lesions

The objective of study was to assess the prevalence of pyloric and fundic abomasal lesions in Swiss veal calves at slaughter and to compare the occurrence of non-perforating abomasal lesions between two different production programs 'Naturafarm' and 'conventional'. 'Conventional'-production settings met the minimal standards as defined by the Swiss animal welfare legislation, whereas 'Naturafarm' production complied with increased animal welfare requirements. A total of 125 abomasa were randomly selected in one large abattoir. They were examined macroscopically, and the occurence of lesions in either the fundic or pyloric region of the abomasum was recorded separately. Animals raised in the 'conventional'- production setting revealed a significantly higher prevalence of lesions in the fundic part. Factors significantly affecting the prevalence of non- perforating lesions in the fundic part were the 'conventional'-production environment, including missing access to an outside pen, missing access to water and straw as the only roughage, feeding by bucket and the liquid milk by-product Protofit in combination with the powder Sprayfit.