Influence of calf-mother interaction on performance and behaviour of Murrah buffalo calves during heat stress

Abstract

The primary objective of the research was to study how calf-mother contact and heat stress ameliorative measures would impact the behavior and growth of Murrah buffalo calves. The study was conducted from April to mid-September. A total of 21 calf-mother Murrah buffalo pairs were selected at the time of birth and categorized into three groups (n=7 pairs). In the first group (T0), the calves and mothers were separated at birth, but they were allowed limited interaction twice-daily for suckling during milking times. In the second group (T1), the calves had continuous unrestricted contact with their mothers and were free to suckle colostrum for up to 5 days. Afterward, the calf-mother pairs were housed in adjacent enclosures separated by a fenceline.  The third group (T2) received the same provisions as the second group (T1), but in addition, the calf-mother pairs were provided with fans and foggers to alleviate heat stress. Statistical analysis involved comparing means using one-way ANOVA and univariate general linear models (GLM) both within and between the groups. Results showed that among the experimental calves, those in group T2 exhibited significantly higher (p<0.05) average daily gain (ADG) compared to those in groups T1 and T0 at weekly interval. Calves in group T2 spent significantly (p<0.05) more time resting, eating, and engaging in rumination compared to calves in groups T1 and T0. Both T2 and T1 calves demonstrated a significantly (p<0.05) lower frequency of abnormal behaviors than the T0 calves. The findings clearly demonstrates that provision of fenceline mother-calf contact along with fan-fogger system in the shed reduces the stress and improves the growth, behaviour and welfare of calves than restricted contact calves.