Influence of Weaning on Immune Status and Health of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Calves

Author: Ajesh Kumar, M.L. Kamboj, M.P. Verma and Pankaj Lavania

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of weaning and suckling on immune status and health of buffalo calves. Sixteen freshly calved buffaloes and their newly born calves were selected from the Murrah buffalo herd maintained at the ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (Karnal). The calves were divided into two groups of 8 each group; suckled and weaned group. The calves in the suckled group were allowed natural suckling of colostrum as well as milk and for let-down of milk and in weaned group, the calves were separated from their dams immediately after birth. The mean daily colostrum intake during the first two feedings were significantly (P<0.05) lower (1.80, 2.44 vs. 2.29, 2.73 kg) in weaned calves as compared to suckled calves. Level of immune status in buffalo calves was higher in suckled calves as compared to weaning calves. It was concluded that the immune status and health performance of naturally suckled buffalo’s calves were better as compared to weaned calves

Keywords

Buffalo calves, Colostrum intake, Health, Immunoglobulin, Suckling, Weaning.

Conclusion

It is concluded that naturally suckled buffalo calves consume more colostrum during first two days after birth and that have better immune status leading to lower incidences of disease that in weaning and weaned buffalo calves

References

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How to cite this article

Ajesh Kumar, M.L. Kamboj, M.P. Verma and Pankaj Lavania (2024). Influence of Weaning on Immune Status and Health of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Calves. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(5): 01-05.