Effect of Foggers on Production Performance and Feed Intake of Mehsana Buffaloes in Summer Season

Abstract

The trial was conducted on twelve early lactating Mehsana buffaloes for the period of three months (April-2012 to June-2012) at Livestock Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar during hot dry season when the average maximum temperature was 38.54°C (36.60 to 40.20°C) and relative humidity was 53.45% (46.00 to 60.00%). Buffaloes of Group I were kept under loose housing without foggers shed (Control), while buffaloes of group II were kept under loose housing with foggers shed (Experimental). The foggers were operated daily during hot hours from 12:00 to 15:00 p.m. in experimental shed. The foggers cooling system was automatically controlled by an electronic timer and run for 3 min after an interval of every 2 min (36 min/hour) from 12:00 to 15:00 hours. The weekly mean of daily total milk yield (kg) in Mehsana buffaloes of foggers group (70.14 kg) was higher as compared to that of the control group (64.51), However, the difference between both groups was non-significant. The weekly overall mean values of milk fat percent was significantly higher (P<0.01) in foggers group (7.53%) as compared to control group (7.09%). The values of milk solids-not-fat and milk protein percent did not differ significantly. Weekly mean feed intake (kg/animal/day) on dry matter basis of Mehsana buffaloes in foggers group (12.66 kg/buffalo/day) was significantly (P<0.01) higher than that of control group of buffaloes (11.95 kg/buffalo/day). Dry matter intake increased by 5.94 % in foggers group as compared to control group. Therefore, it is concluded that the cooling through foggers on buffaloes in summer season, was beneficial in terms of body comfort of the animals as well as increasing the fat yield and feed intake.