Space allowance of buffalo calves and effect on welfare as indicated by their behavior, adrenal response and environmental polluttion

الملخص EN

Forty five weaned female buffalo calves were used in this investigation.

Animals were 5 months old with a mean live weight of 100 kg at the start of the study.

Animals were randomly assigned to 3 groups, 15 calves each.

Animals of each group were divided into 3 subgroups, 5 calves each arid each subgroup was housed under the prevalent environmental conditions in a separate straw bedded floor pen.

Groups were randomly assigned to three treatments differing in the space allowance of each calf which equals 50, 70 and 90 % of its body surface.

Body surface area was calculated as 0.12 body weight (kg) °'60.

Pen size was adjusted at monthly intervals to meet the experimented space allowance.

Behavioral observations, isolation test, adrenal response and microbial examination of air and bedding materials were carried out during this investigation.

The obtained results indicated that 50 % of body surface area is inadequate space allowance for weaned buffalo calves compared to 70 or 90 %.

Space restriction to 50 % of body surface area of weaned buffalo calves affected calf welfare by increasing their stress, modifying their behavior and increasing microbial contamination of air and bedding materials in their environment.

To fulfill the recent intensification and economic techniques of rearing wearied buffalo calves and, at the same time protect them from facing housing stress, it is recommended to house the weaned buffalo calves in their pens with a space allowance equaling at least 70 % of its body surface area.