BUFFALOES

The principle of care and management of buffaloes are similar to those of dairy cattle.
Almost all aspects covered in the package of practices for dairy cattle are applicable to
buffaloes. Hence mention is made only where ever differences exist.
HOUSING
Only simple housing is needed to protect the animals from direct sun.
If the farmer has only one or two buffaloes, a simple shelter can be made as an extension
of the existing building, utilizing the side walls of his building, as shown in
diagram.
Measurement
Length : 3.6 m (manger 0.9, stand 1.8 m)
Breadth : 1.3 m per animal
Height: 3 m in the front. 1.8 m behind the wall; one side brick and cement mortar
up to 0.9 m and open above.
Pillars: Brick and cement or bamboo or any locally available timber
Floor : Flat stone or cement concrete, slope to one side, rough finish. At least one
foot above  the ground.
Roof : Thatch, tile or asbestos
Housing of heifers and calves
If only two or three calves and heifers are available they may be housed along with the
adult animals. If the number is more, it is better to accommodate them separately. Floor
space requirement for a heifer is about 3.0 to 3.5 m2. The same for calf is about
2.5 m2. They are not tied inside the shed and are generally housed in groups.
FEEDING
              General principles of feeding buffaloes are almost similar to those recommended
for dairy cattle. Buffaloes have the capacity to consume more roughage which they can
digest better than dairy cattle. The fat percentage of buffalo milk is higher and hence
buffaloes must be given more feed per unit of milk production. Milking animals must be
given production allowance of one kg concentrate mixture (0.14 to 0.16 kg DCP and 0.7
kg TDN) for every 2 kg of milk produced over and above the maintenance allowance.
Murrah
              Murrah and Surthi are the two breeds reared in Kerala. Murrah buffaloes are the
best milk producing buffaloe of the world. The home tract of the breed is in Punjab and
Haryana states of India. The important characters of the breed include curled horns, jet
black body with a white switch. White colour is not desirable in any other part of the
body. A white star is sometimes permissible. Average production will be 2000-2500 litres
in a lactation. The presently used buffaloe semen in Kerala is of Murrah bulls.
Surthi
              Origin of the breed is Gujarat. The animals are medium sized with sickle shaped
horns. Surthi buffaloes are known for their reproduction efficiency. Average production
is less than 1500 kg./lactation. Presence of two white chevrons, one just below the jowl
region and the other one in the brisket region are said to be identifying character of the
breed. Surthi breed was used previously to upgrade the local buffaloes of Kerala.
Any type of concentrate recommended for cattle may be given for buffaloes also.
Quantity of feed depends upon the body weight, milk yield, fat percentage and condition
of the animal.
Feeding animals in advanced pregnancy
Principles are same as for dairy cattle.
About two months of dry period is necessary. Besides maintenance and lactation ration,
an additional 1-1.5 kg of concentrate may be provided from 6 th month for the proper
health of the dam and development of foetus.
Feeding of buffalo calves
General principles and feeding schedule are similar to that of cattle.
BREEDING
Age at puberty              :              30-36 months
Body weight at puberty              :              300-340 (for heavy breeds)
Age at first calving              :              40-50 months
Estrous cycle              :              18-24 days
Duration of heat              :               18-24 hours
Ovulation              :              About 10 hours after the end of heat
Gestation period              :               310-315 days
Post-partum heat              :              90-120 days after calving
Calving interval              :              15-18 months
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
Housing
Housing should be simple and comfortable. Under hot humid conditions of Kerala, the
draught animal housing should provide maximum thermal comfort.
Feeding Management
Work done at KAU and other places indicates that in tropical environment, normal to
heavy work, even though increases the energy requirement, does not result in an increase
in feed intake on the day of work. Unless special care in the management of the bullocks
is taken, this can result in energy deficit, loss of body weight and weakness over a
period of time.
Increasing the feeding time by offering feed during night  can be helpful.
Protection against heat stress
1.    As far as possible use draught animals for work during early morning,
evening or night avoiding mid-day.
2.    After work give at least 15 minutes rest followed by a bath or wallowing in
cold water.
3.    Provide green cover and landscaping around the sheds.
4.    Before start of work and after work provide cool wholesome water to drink.
5.    Well ventilated thatched sheds may be provided.
6.    When there is no work tie the animals under a shady tree.
7.    Give adequate rest in between/during work periods.
8.    Buffaloes may preferably be used for wet ploughing.
Nutrient requirement of working bullocks (Kearl, 1982)
Weight Normal work                           Heavy work
(4 hours)     (8 hours)                  (4 hours)                (8 hours)
300 kg          0.227     0.241              3.06              3.89
350 kg              0.254              0.277              3.56               4.50
400 kg              0.283              0.287             4.00               5.03
450 kg              0.307               0.335              4.40              5.60
 
Feeding schedule for working  bullocks (PB-6)
Body Weight Normal Work(4 hrs) Heavy Work(8 hrs)

mixture straw mixture straw

Concentrate mixtures
Parts
1.              G.N.C.              30
Tamarind seed (decorticated)              15
Dried tapioca chips              30
Rice bran              22
Mineral mixture              2
Salt              1
2.              G.N.C.              22
Cotton seed               15
Maize/Jowar/ Rice              25
Tamarind seed (decorticated)              15
Rice bran               20
Mineral  mixture              2
Salt              1
Castration
Castration helps to make the animal docile and tractable. Both cattle and buffaloes are
generally castrated by 1.5 to 2 years of age before putting them for work. Too early
castration or too late castration is not desirable. Castration using a Burdizzo castrator is
recommended.
Training for work
The age at which bullocks are usually trained to work in Kerala is around 3 years. Faster
growth by better feeding can make the animals attain the body size for work at an earlier
age.
The duration of training depends upon the species and type of animal, type of work and
temperament of the animal.
Stage 1              –              Teach the bullocks to accept the yoke.
Stage 2              –              Walk the bullocks with the yoke . They may be taught to
respond   to voice commands.
Stage 3              –              Attach the plough to the yoke and walk through dry field
without actually applying the plough to the ground.
Stage 4              –              Walk the bullocks behind a trained pair with actually applying
the plough.
Once a pair is trained for ploughing it is easy to train them for carting. Before actually
hitching to the cart, the pair should be yoked and walked along the road behind a cart.
Once training is over, the bullocks should be put to occasional light work so that the
animals do not lose the practice.
Shoeing
Bullocks that are used for regular carting should be invariably shoed to prevent wear and
tear of the hoof.
The shoes should be flat and cover the whole sole. The nail-holes should be towards the
outer edge.
Washing and grooming
Bullocks used for regular work should be daily washed and groomed.  The best time to
give a bath is the after noon hours when the atmospheric temperature is high. If the
animals are taken to a pond or stream, the quality of water being unsure, it is better to
water them prior to that with clean wholesome water. 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.
Health care
Because of hard work, draught bullocks are prone to physical stress and occupational
injuries. In addition, they are susceptible to common diseases of bovines.
The types of injuries commonly encountered in working bullocks include bruises and
open wounds caused by hitting or whipping and undue pulling on the nose rope, sores
caused by badly fitting harness and yokes, concussion caused by stones or dried and
hardened mud stuck in the cleft of the hooves and chronic irritation from head ropes
leading to horn cancer. Unequal pairing, ill-fitting yokes, working long hours, forcing the
animal to pull loads beyond their capacity, careless ploughing, and sadistic beating and
ritual branding are some of the reasons for injury. These should be avoided.
All injuries should be attended promptly. An animal with injury should be given 
sufficient  rest to recover from it. Regular vaccinations against common diseases like
Foot and mouth disease, Rinderpest, Haemorrhagic septicaemia  and Black quarter may
be given under the advice of a Veterinary doctor.
Good temperament of a work animal
a) A work bullock should be docile and accept handling by the owner.
b) It should not kick or butt other bullocks. If one animal in a pair is aggressive, it may
force the other bullock to pull unevenly or stop.
c)  It should not lie down when yoked or become nervous when approached by  strangers.
d)  Bullocks used for carting should not be scared of vehicles.