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Sunday, November 24, 2024
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Animal Husbandry > Buffalo
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Management
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Breeding
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Age at puberty
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30-36 months
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Body weight at puberty
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300-340 kg (for heavy breeds)
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Age at first calving
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40-50 months
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Oestrous cycle
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18-24 days
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Duration of heat
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18-24 hours
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Ovulation
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About 10 hours after the end of heat
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Gestation period
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310-315 days
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Post-partum heat
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90-120 days after calving
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Calving interval
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15-18 months
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Signs of heat
Many buffaloes show weak signs of heat and hence careful monitoring is necessary.
Bellowing is the general sign. Urination is frequent and small in quantity. Mucus
is watery at the beginning, which becomes ropy in the second half of heat. Turgidity
of uterus is very prominent. Milk yield is reduced. Insemination is done 14-20 hours
from the onset of heat.
Draught cattle and buffaloes
Selection of a draught animal should be based on the following:
1. Strength and stamina
2. Sustained speed over a period of work
3. Medium size
4. Heat tolerance
5. Proper conformation, placement of legs and style of walking
6. Temperament for work
7. Ability to survive in the prevailing environment – no loss of weight during
the working season
8. Feed efficiency
9. Disease resistance
Washing and grooming
Bullocks used for regular work should be washed and groomed daily. The best time
to give a bath is the after noon hours when the atmospheric temperature is high.
If they are given water after the work, it is necessary to give a rest of at least
15 minutes before starting the bath. Special care may be taken to see that mud is
not caked in between the hooves or the shoe and hoof.
Regular grooming with a brush is essential to control parasites like ticks and mites
as well as to stimulate circulation of the skin.
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