Determination of hardness and mechanical properties of pig claws in three Greek swine herds

Lameness in pigs is a major welfare and economic issue for swine breeding herds. Claw lesions have been suggested to be significant cause lameness sows. Housing conditions nutrition management on the farm influence horn quality may associated with development of claw pigs. The current work examines structure as well hardness, fracture mechanical properties claws retrieved from housing For characterisation pig claws, an experimental program that includes three point bending test was performed order obtain resistance tissue under forces. study also hardness measurements through Vickers method inspection Scanning Electron Microscopy. Experimental show specimen behaves linear viscoelastic material. Measurements were found affected by moisture content claws.