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Current IssueEditorial BoardOnline First ArticlesArchive

Research Article

volume 53 issue 5 (may 2019) : 680-684,   Doi: 10.18805/ijar.B-3546

Influence of weaning on growth, health and behaviour of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves

P
Pankaj Kumar Singh
M
M.L. Kamboj
S
Subhash Chandra
A
Amit Kumar
N
Nishant Kumar
1Livestock Production and Management, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal- 132 001 Haryana, India.
Cite article:- Singh Kumar Pankaj, Kamboj M.L., Chandra Subhash, Kumar Amit, Kumar Nishant (2018). Influence of weaning on growth, health and behaviour of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves. Indian Journal of Animal Research. 53(5): 680-684. doi: 10.18805/ijar.B-3546.

ABSTRACT

Present investigation was carried out to determine the effect of calf weaning and natural suckling on the growth performance, immune status, health and behaviour of buffalo calves. Sixteen newly born calves (8 calves from weaned group and 8 calves from natural suckling group) were raised in two separate groups under loose housing system. The mean daily colostrum intake during first two days was higher in suckled calves as compared to weaned calves. The average daily body weight gain was significantly higher (0.506  vs. 0.438 kg/day) in suckled calves as compared to weaned calves. The mean of time spent on cross sucking, licking self and licking objects were significantly higher in weaned calves as compared to suckled calves. The level of oxidative stress of weaned calves were significantly higher as compared to suckled calves. It was concluded that the growth performance, immune status, health, behaviour and oxidative stress of natural suckled calves were better as compared to that of weaned calves.

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Indian Journal of Animal Research
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