Observations on the age of shedding of the deciduous and the eruption of the permanent anterior teeth in a herd of Friesian cattle

Abstract

SUMMARYObservations on the time of development of the permanent anterior teeth in a herd of Friesian female cattle (heifers + cows) are described. The animals were examined at approximately monthly intervals. A modified longitudinal survey method was employed. A table is presented of the maximum and minimum (i.e. the range), mean and median ages for the stages of development for each permanent pair of teeth. The stages were defined as: one of permanent pair present and/or one/both temporary teeth absent, both permanent teeth emerging, ¼ up, ½ up, ¾ up and fully up. A large amount of variation was found in the ages for each stage of development in individual animals. Tables are included for the time taken for a pair of permanent teeth to pass from first to complete emergence, the time a pair of teeth were fully up before any further development was observed and the time taken between a tooth being at one stage in one pair of teeth to the same stage in the succeeding pair of teeth.