Effect of housing management on reproductive efficiency of buffaloes

Abstract

Data on 1690 buffaloes were collected randomly through a questionnaire to assess the relationship between degree of housing management (Housing Index) and postpartum reproductive efficiency of buffaloes. Buffaloes were declared anoestrus when they failed to exhibit oestrus till 60 days postpartum. The postpartum acyclic period was defined as the length of period (in days) between day of calving and first appearance of heat signs. The data was analyzed by ANOVA, c2-test and linear regression. Buffaloes raised under good, medium and poor housing conditions required 55.2 ± 6.19, 87.1 ± 3.52 and 139.5 ± 6.26 days, respectively, to show first oestrus after calving. The proportion of buffaloes remaining anoestrus was 38.6, 54.8 and 71.1%, respectively. There was a significant linear relationship between Housing Index and acyclic period. The data was also analysed after splitting it into two seasons—summer and winter. Housing management significantly affected the postpartum reproductive efficiency of buffaloes during both the seasons.