Effect of Manure Cleaning Systems and Cleaning Frequency on Udder Hygiene Scores in Dairy Cattle

Hygiene is very important for food quality and animal welfare in the environmental surfaces of animal shelters. This study was conducted in 2023 across 10 large dairy farms located in Konya, Türkiye, to quantitatively determine the effects of manure scraper use on animal hygiene scores and barn cleanliness. The farms utilized three different manure cleaning systems: chain, steel rope, and hydraulic scrapers. Udder hygiene was scored on a 1–4 scale (1: clean, 2: slightly dirty, 3: moderately dirty, 4: very dirty/covered with manure). Contamination rates (%) on udders were determined using image processing technique. The effects of manure cleaning systems, stall material, and daily cleaning frequency on udder hygiene scores were evaluated. In addition, odor values were measured before and after cleaning in the farms. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and correlation analysis. Animal udder contamination rates ranged between 4.45% and 13.8% across farms. It was determined that the daily manure cleaning frequency had a significant effect on the udder dirt rate (P