Periparturient behavioural indicators for predicting calving in Murrah buffaloes under different bedding systems

Abstract

The present study evaluated peri-parturient behavioural changes as potential indicators of calving in Murrah buffaloes housed under different bedding systems. Thirty multiparous pregnant Murrah buffaloes maintained at ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, were individually housed in calving pens provided with straw bedding, rubber mats, or concrete flooring. Behavioural parameters, including lying time, lying bouts, and tail-raising frequency, were continuously monitored using CCTV cameras from five days before to five days after calving. Data were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA to assess the effects of day, bedding system, and their interaction. Results revealed a significant (P < 0.05) decline in lying time as calving approached, with the most pronounced reduction observed on the day of calving across all bedding systems. Buffaloes housed on straw bedding consistently exhibited higher lying times, indicating superior comfort. In contrast, lying bout frequency increased markedly during the pre-partum period, peaking on the day of calving with increases of approximately 92.78%, 95.61% and 71.92% in straw, rubber mat and concrete bedding systems, respectively. Tail-raising frequency showed the most distinct behavioural change, increasing sharply on the day of calving by 92.9–114.4% compared to pre-partum levels, irrespective of bedding type. The findings demonstrate that lying time, lying bouts, and tail-raising frequency are reliable behavioural indicators of impending calving in Murrah buffaloes. Among the bedding systems evaluated, straw bedding provided greater comfort during the peri-parturient period. These results highlight the potential application of behavioural monitoring for precision calving management to improve animal welfare and reproductive outcomes in intensive buffalo production systems.