Influence of congenital umbilical hernia on fattening and carcass performance in male German Fleckvieh calves

The development of congenital umbilical hernial openings was observed in 62 male German Fleckvieh calves from an age of about four weeks up to an age of 450 days by examinations in time intervals of 14 days. A group of 41 pro bands affected by congenital umbilical hernia was compared with a control g roup of 199 animals of the same breed in fattening and carcass traits perfo rming a progeny test on station up to an age of 450 days. The risk, that a congenital umbilical hernia is not closing within an age of 15 months, depe nds on the width of the hernial opening in the newborn calf. Umbilical hern ias with a diameter of less than 2 cm in the young calf were closing in all 24 probands within the 27th week of life. Larger hernial openings with a d iameter of about 3.5 cm remained open in 4 out of 32 cases. An opening of 4 .5 cm and more has only a healing chance of 50% and less. However, negative effects on fattening and carcass traits could not be found. By means of pa thologic-anatomical examinations in 37 out of 48 probands a completely deve loped collagen fibre rich tissue at the former hernial opening was found. B reeders should be aware of the implications of congenital umbilical hernias and thus, congenital umbilical hernia should get more attention in the sel ection process of young sires.