EFFECT OF MICROCLIMATE ALTERATIONS ON TEMPERATURE-HUMIDITY INDEX (THI), PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTION TRAITS OF MURRAH BUFFALOES
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Date
2014-10
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SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI – 517 502. (A.P) INDIA
Abstract
ABSTRACT:
The effect of microclimate alteration through fogger and air circulator system during summer was studied by conducting experiments on Murrah buffaloes maintained under loose housing system. Forty lactating buffaloes were divided in 4 groups of 10 each in Completely Randomized Design (4x10 CRD). Group I buffaloes (control) were maintained in loose housing system without any microclimate alteration, while group-II ,III and IV buffaloes were provided with foggers, fans and foggers and fans in their loose houses, respectively from 11.00 A.M. to 4.00 P.M. for a period of 90 days. All the experimental buffaloes were offered 20kg chopped hybrid Napier and adlibitum chopped maize straw as roughage source to meet their dry matter requirements. Concentrate feed was given at the time of milking as per the milk production of buffaloes (1kg concentrate per 2kg of milk). The average Temperature-humidity index (THI) values recorded in experimental Murrah buffalo houses were 82.45±0.16, 77.04±0.10, 80.00±0.14 and 76.78±0.10 for group I (control), group-II (foggers), group-III (fans) and group IV (foggers & fans), respectively. The peak THI in group I, II, III and IV was 86.25±0.16, 79.72±0.13, 83.40±0.17 and 79.32±0.13, respectively and was reached at 12th week of the experiment during May month in all the experimental buffalo houses. THI was significantly (P<0.001) lower in group II, III and IV buffalo houses compared to group I buffalo house. Significant (P<0.001) difference in THI was also observed between group III and II and IV groups of buffalo houses. However, the THI between II and IV buffalo houses were comparable. The average rectal temperature (0F), respiration rate (breaths/min) and pulse rate (beats per min) recorded in Murrah buffaloes were 102.5±0.06, 101.6±0.02, 102.1±0.06 and 101.5±0.02, 37.81±0.37, 22.15±0.26, 28.32±0.58 and 22.50±0.23 and 67.86±0.41, 51.39±0.32, 57.12±0.40 and 52.00±0.26 in group I, II, III and IV, respectively. Rectal temperature (RT) respiration rate (RR) and pulse rate (PR) were significantly (P<0.001) lower in group II, III and IV compared to group I buffaloes. Significant (P<0.001) difference in RT, RR and PR was also observed between group III and II and IV groups of buffalo houses. However, the RT, RR and PR between II and IV buffalo groups were comparable.
The average milk yield (kg per day) recorded in Murrah buffaloes was 6.05±0.02, 7.30±0.01, 6.75±0.01 and 7.31±0.01 in group I, II, III and IV, respectively. The average milk fat, SNF and TS per cent in Murrah buffaloes were 5.99±0.01, 7.07±0.01, 6.56±0.01 and 7.05±0.01, 9.14±0.01, 10.03±0.01, 9.37±0.02 and 10.05±0.01, 15.13±0.01, 17.10±0.02, 15.93±0.03 and 17.10±0.01 for the groups I, II, III and IV, respectively. Significantly (P<0.001) higher milk production and milk constituents were observed in II, III and IV groups of buffaloes compared to group I. Significant (P<0.001) difference in milk production and milk constituents was also observed between group III and II and IV groups of buffalo houses. However, II and IV buffalo groups were comparable. The estrus induction and conception rate of 10, 80, 50 and 80 and 10, 60, 30 and 70 per cent were recorded in group I, II, III and IV experimental buffaloes, respectively. No early embryonic mortalities were recorded. The mean drinking time of 29.97±0.4, 10.73±0.3, 19.57±0.5 and 10.20±0.3 minutes per day was observed in group I, II III and IV, of experimental buffaloes, respectively. Drinking time (min/day) was significantly (P<0.001) lower in group II, III and IV compared to group I buffaloes. Drinking time was significantly (P<0.001) lower in group II and IV compared to group III buffaloes. However, drinking time between II and IV buffalo groups were comparable. The mean eating, rumination and total chewing time (minutes/day) were 211.4±3.3, 322.0±2.7, 269.7±1.5 and 326.2±2.6, 333.7±4.8, 526.8±3.7, 433.8±1.7 and 532.9±3.7, 545.1, 848.8, 703.5 and 859.2 for the groups I, II III and IV, respectively. The mean eating chews, rumination chews and total chews (number/day) were 12062±314.4, 21433±352.6, 16913±220.1 and 21794±321.4, 23706±474.6, 37477±501.2, 30842±311.3 and 37912±595.1, 31537±794.6, 56015±809.9, 44305±571.4 and 56850±613.6 for groups I, II III and IV, respectively. Significant (P<0.001) increase in eating, rumination and total chewing time (min/day) and eating, rumination and total chews (number/day) was observed in group II, III and IV compared with group I. Significant (P<0.001) difference was observed between III and II and IV group buffaloes. However, no significance was observed between II and IV groups of buffaloes.
The mean resting time of 605.1±4.2, 790.1±3.2, 707.8±3.7 and 784.7±3.2 minutes/day in the experimental buffaloes were recorded in group I, II III and IV, respectively. Significant (P<0.001) increase in resting time (minutes/day) was observed in group II, III and IV compared with group I. Significant (P<0.001) increase in resting time was observed in II and IV compared to III group buffaloes. However, no significance was observed between II and IV groups of buffaloes. Microclimate alteration was found to have beneficial effect on physiological responses, total milk production and composition, reproductive performance and feeding behavior of lactating buffaloes during hot summer season.
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