|
|
Influence of dam age and body weight at conception within two successive parturition on postnatal growth of buffalo calves
|
|
Abstract: Eighteen sexually mature buffalo heifers were divided into three equal group according to their age at their age at first mating. Average ages were 19.21 and 29 months and average live body weight ( LBW) were 217.7, 243.5, 335.2 kg for the groups (L), (M), and (H), respectively. Age and body weight of animals were recorded at fertile service as well as at calving. Birth weight, weekly body weight and weaning weight of the born calves were recorded throughout the study. Calves were weaned when they attained 90-100 kg LBW irrespective of their age. Body measurements of calves were taken at birth and at weaning.
The results indicated that differences in daily weight gain ( DWG) between the heifers groups at the 1st and 2nd conceptions or parturitions were not significant. In both pregnancy periods, L group showed greater DWG and relative growth rate ( RGR) till delivery and postpartum. The mean calving intervals were nearly similar for both of H and L groups whereas it delayed by 1.87 months with M group due to prolonged service period of this group.
Birth weight and weaning weight of the newborn calves were relatively higher in L and M group at 1st parturition while, they were similar among groups of the 2nd parturition. Relative growth rate (RGR) of calves born from H group at 1st calving was the highest in comparison with other groups. A significant ( P<0.05) correlation coefficients were found between the female LBW at conception and each of LBW before and after the 1st or 2nd parturitions as well as LBW at the subsequent conception.
The calves born from L groups in both parities showed greater development in their heart girth and the width at pin bones. The claves born from L heifers almost had the greatest rank in developing body measurements. Differences in nutrients intake (DM and TDN) between the experimental groups were not significant. Calves of the 1st progeny groups proved tobe better converter of nutrients than those of the 2nd prgeny groups. Also, calves of L groups were slightly better converter than the the other groups. It can be concluded that, early breeding of buffalo heifers could be adopted with intensive feeding plan oriented for optimum RGR at conception
Keywords: Buffalo heifers, body weight, conception, calf growth.
|
| Publication year |
2003
|
| Availability location |
معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
|
| Availability number |
|
| Organization Name |
|
| serial title |
Egyptian Journal Applied Science
|
| ISSN |
1110-1571
|
| Author(s) from ARC |
|
| Agris Categories |
Animal physiology - Growth and developmentAnimal physiology - Nutrition
|
AGROVOC
TERMS |
Body weight.
Calves.
Heifers.
Perinatal period.
Reproductive performance.
Water buffaloes.
|
| Proposed Agrovoc |
dam age;successive parturition;calf growth;
|
| Publication Type |
Journal
|