Effect of Environmental Factors on Growth Performance of Murrah Buffalo Heifers
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Date
2020-07
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Abstract
Live body weight data from 288 Murrah buffalo female calves maintained at the Livestock
Research Center, Karnal, Haryana, India, born in the period between 2000 and 2009 were
used for this study. Data were analysed using least-squares procedures. The overall mean
for birth weight of Murrah buffalo female calves was 32.32±0.31Kg.The mean body
weight at 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th , 15th , 18th , 24th , 30th and 36th months of age pooled over
season, periods and birth weight were 65.0 ± 0.51, 108.78 ± 0.97, 139.07±1.43,
174.82±1.80, 211.20±2.20, 255.21±2.30, 338.39±2.56, 405.75±3.29 and 470.50 ± 3.87 kg,
respectively. The overall mean values of body weight at sexual maturity and weight at first
calving of Murrah buffaloes were 413.60±3.68 Kg and 569.60±5.13Kg. Period of calving
influenced the weight significantly almost all month of ages in this study. The calves born
during the summer season were generally heavier and gained more body weight than those
born in other seasons. Birth weight of calves influenced the body weight significantly at
3rd, 18th months of age only and also influences the weight at sexual maturity and weight at
first calving. The phenotypic parameter estimates indicated that the more than 6th month of
body weights can be used as a selection tool for improvement of growth traits considering
its highly positive phenotypic correlations with succeeding growth traits.
Description
TNV_IJCMAS_2020_9(7)2676-2683
Keywords
Veterinary Science