Influence of special summer management practices on water intake and physiological reactions in lactating Murrah buffaloes.

摘要

20 lactating Murrah buffaloes from the Buffalo Research Center, Hisar, were divided into 2 groups with respect to body weight, parity, milk yield and lactation duration. The study was carried out from 1 May to 31 July 1990. The control-group buffaloes were offered concentrates at milking and cooling of the buffaloes by water splashing was carried out at 14.00 h daily. Buffaloes in the treatment group were fed 25% of the total required amount of concentrates at 10.00 h, and 75% at milking time plussplashing with water 3 times/day. The average daily voluntary and total water intake was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the control group as compared with the treatment group. Similar results were obtained for water intake/kg DM consumed, per kg milk yielded and per kg metabolic body size. The respiration rate and rectal temperature were significantly (P<0.01) higher in the control group than the treatment group. The estimates for these traits were within the normal range in both groups.