Proper Footbath Design and Management Critical
For Controlling Infectious Claw Lesions
Many dairy producers rely on footbath programs to help prevent and control infectious claw
lesions in their herd. Maximizing the effectiveness of a footbath program hinges on several key
factors including proper footbath design and effective footbath management techniques.
“When used correctly, footbath programs can be a highly successful way for dairies to
help prevent and control the spread of infectious lesions such as digital dermatitis, interdigital
dermatitis and foot rot,” says Dr. Dana Tomlinson, Research Nutritionist, Zinpro Corporation.
“However, a poorly managed footbath program can actually cause more harm than good.”
Dr. Tomlinson offers the following guidelines when evaluating the effectiveness of a
footbath program:
Design Considerations
 Footbath units should be eight to ten feet (2.5 to 3 meters) long, with a minimum depth
of six inches (15 cm). The footbath structure should also be wide enough that all four
of the cow’s feet get exposure to the footbath solution.
 The footbath solution should be four to six inches (10 to 15 cm) deep to ensure
adequate coverage of the foot area.
 Research supporting the value of pre-bath solutions is limited.
 Consider filling both pre-bath and treatment bath with the treatment chemical
to increase exposure to the treatment solution.
 If different solutions are used in the pre-bath and treatment bath, there should
be a gap of 6 to 8 feet (2 meters) between the two baths to prevent the
pre-bath solution from diluting, and hence decreasing the efficacy of the
treatment bath solution.
 On days when footbaths are not filled with a treatment solution, consider
filling the pre-bath (if used) and treatment bath with a 1% mild soap solution.
 Ensure that footbaths are located on a level surface. Floors should provide adequate
traction, but not be rough and abrasive, which may cause trauma to a cow’s feet.
Management Considerations
 Footbaths should be used 3 to 4 days per week. Foot and leg hygiene help
determine the number of days required, as dirtier cows require more footbathing.
 Locate the footbath in an area regularly traveled by cattle. Ensure that cows have
the ability to bypass permanent footbath areas on days when footbaths are not





being used.
Cows should enter a clean dry area after passing through a footbath.
Change footbath solution after every 150 to 200 cows. This frequency will vary
depending upon cow cleanliness, use of a pre-bath, type of disinfectant or
chemical concentration used and weather conditions.
Alternate times for replenishing footbaths with fresh solution so each group of
cows has access to fresh solution.
Thoroughly drain footbath and rinse with water before mixing a new batch of
solution.
Use claw lesion records to monitor effectiveness of footbath management and
efficacy of footbath solutions.
Dr. Tomlinson also stresses the importance of accurately calculating the capacity of a
footbath (3-step calculation process shown in Figure 1; Example calculation shown in Figure 2).
“For footbaths to be effective, it is critical that the right amount of product is added to the
footbath solution. In arid regions, evaporation will concentrate the active ingredients.”
In addition, Dr. Tomlinson reminds producers of the critical role that trace mineral
nutrition plays in building and maintaining strong, healthy feet. For example, zinc and copper are
essential nutrients for developing healthy claw horn tissue; while zinc and manganese play a
crucial role in wound healing. Research has shown that feeding a combination of trace minerals
(Zn, Mn, Cu and Co) in a highly available complexed form helps decrease both the incidence and
severity of common claw lesions.
As the leader in trace mineral nutrition, Zinpro is committed to delivering the people,
products and educational tools needed to help customers improve the performance and
profitability of their operation.
Figure 1. Common Footbath Calculations
Type of Calculation:
How To Calculate:
(imperial units)
How To Calculate:
(metric units)
Multiply: Length (ft) X
Multiply: Length (m) X
width (ft) x depth (ft) X 7.46
width (m) X depth (m) X
= number of gallons
1000 = number of liters
Multiply: Number of gallons
Number of liters
X 8.33 = pounds of water
= kg of water
Multiply: Pounds of water X
Multiply:
kg) of dry product
percent solution desired =
Kg of water X percent
needed to achieve the
pounds of dry product
solution desired = kg of dry
desired solution
to add
product to add
1. Determine capacity of a
footbath
2. Convert gallons to
pounds (or liters to kg)
3. Determine pounds (or
Figure 2 (imperial). Example Calculation
 How many pounds of dry product are needed to achieve a 5% copper sulfate
solution in a footbath that measures 10 ft long, 3 ft wide and 6 inches deep?
o Answer: 46.6 lb of copper sulfate.
How To Calculate This:
Step 1:
10 X 3 X 0.5 X 7.46 = 111.9 gallons
Step 2:
111.9 gallons X 8.33 = 932.1 lb of water
Step 3:
932.1 X 0.05 [5% solution] = 46.6 lb of copper sulfate
Figure 2 (metric). Example Calculation
 How many kg of dry product are needed to achieve a 5% copper sulfate
solution in a footbath that measures 3 meters long, 0.9 meters wide and 0.15
meters deep?
o Answer: 20.25 kg of copper sulfate.
How To Calculate This:
Step 1:
3 X 0.9 X 0.15 X 1000 = 405 liters
Step 2:
405 liters of water = 405 kg of water
Step 3:
405 X 0.05 [5% solution] = 20.25 kg of copper sulfate