Analysis of influencing factors of boar claw lesion and lameness

This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting boar claw lesions and lameness. A total of 1299 boars were examined for claw lesions and lameness, including 788 boars reared in individual pens with solid concreted floor ( IPS ) and 511 boars raised in individual stalls with slatted floor ( ISS ). Flooring type showed significant impacts on all claw lesion types ( P  <   0.01). Except for swelling ankle, boar age had significant effects on all other claw lesion types ( P  <   0.01). In addition, only heel overgrowth and erosion, cracked wall horizontal, heel‐sole crack, dew claws, and toes were significantly related to boar breeds ( P  <   0.05). Furthermore, IPS lame boars had higher prevalence of lameness in the hind limb ( P  <   0.05), whereas in ISS lame boars, there were no significant differences in prevalence of lameness between the fore and hind limbs ( P  >   0.05). Boar lameness was moderately correlated with swelling ankle (Φ = 0.5571). In conclusion, claw lesions can be influenced by flooring type, boar age and breed, and could serve as a predictor for boar lameness.