Effect of Some Environmental Factors on Productive and Reproductive Performance of Egyptian Buffaloes

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Agriculture research center, Animal Research Institute, El-Dokki, Egypt.

2 Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby) Alexandria University.

3 Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha) – Animal Production Department, Alexandria University.

Abstract

The study was carried out by the Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Saba Bache, Alexandria, Egypt. Buffaloes were reared at Trust Farm. The farm is located in Km 40 Alexandria-Cairo desert road after Ameria City. A trial was conducted to raise buffaloes in open sheds under routine managerial practice . The  mean body weights of heifers at birth, weaning and first service, together with the high pre-weaning daily gain showed that the desert conditions did not exert adverse effects on it. The mean calving interval (403.6±2.6 days) was near to the ideal calving interval which permits nearly a calf every year. Total milk yield per lactation averaged 1600 ±11 kg. Such results indicated that the Egyptian buffaloes responded well to good managerial procedures. Year of calving affected significantly (P<0.001) first service weight,  daily gain from weaning to first service and from birth to first service, days open and  lactation period. Season of calving and parity effects were significant (P<0.001, 0.01 or 0.05) on most of the traits studied. Also, Dry period affected days open (p < 0.001), lactation length (p < 0.001) and total milk yield (p < 0.001), however dry period didn't significantly affect calving interval. Days open was the highest in dry period (121-150  and >150 days) and the lowest in dry period (< 60, 60-90 and 91 -120 days). Lactation length was the highest in dry period (60 -90 days) and the lowest in dry period (121-150 and >150 days). Total milk yield was the highest in dry period (60-90 days) and the lowest in dry period (>150days).

Keywords

Main Subjects

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics