Influence of suckling traits on early life performance of surti buffalo calve

Introduction

Adequate amount of high-quality colostrum at birth, sufficient quantities of milk during suckling and adequate feeding after weaning are important steps for the overall well-being and growth of calves (Corbet, 2001) [1] . Suckling traits affect the growth rate of calves in Gir cattle at various days of age. Number of strokes made during suckling for letting down lead to highest growth rate in calves (Singh et al., 2016) [7] . Within a few hours after parturition, the buffalo calves begin to show hunger by exploring the mother's body with muzzle and tongue until a teat is located, the calf readily mouths and sucks any protuberance on the mother's body (Hafez, 1992) [5] . Buffalo which is a social animal with strong maternal instinct, the relationship between the calves and dams are closely bonded, and the buffalo calves become more stress when separated from the dam. Experiments on calf behaviour indicated that socially housed calves are less fearful and more socially confident than the isolated calves (Duve et al., 2012) [2] . Despite the economic importance of Surti buffaloes in western India, limited information is available on their neonatal behavioural characteristics and their relationship with growth. Understanding these associations is essential for improving calf management practices. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess sex-associated differences in suckling behaviour and to examine how these traits influence growth during the pre-weaning period.

Materials and Methods

Experiment was conducted at Livestock Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari. The research was carried out on 18 Surti Buffalo calves (9 male and 9 female) after calving.

Daily intake of milk, roughage and concentrate were recorded as such and dry matter as per schedule. Milk intake calculated by weighing calf before and after suckling. Effect of Letting Down Time: The let-down time (in minutes) was taken as time interval from touching of teat by calf to the first drop of milk drawn in pail. Although milk let-down is primarily a physiological response of the cow after parturition, the behaviour of the calf can influence how quickly this response occurs. To assess the calf's contribution, the number of suckling strokes and the time required for milk let-down were carefully recorded. Biometry of calf such as length of calf, heart girth, paunch girth, height at wither etc, was recorded fortnightly. Data collected during course of experiment was first tabulated using descriptive statistics and analysed by t-test and mean within the group was compared using Duncan multiple range test (DMRT). Data obtained in percentage were analysed using chi-square and for some parameters correlation test was also performed with IBM SPSS trial version software.

Results and Discussion

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the, behavioural patterns, growth performance of Surti buffalo calves. [16] who observed longer suckling time in male calves (216.75±2.18 min) as compared to female calves (121.00±2.08 min) especially during first suckling. The reason might be due to high activity, body weight and good health status of male calves. The difference in timing might be due to species difference. The overall time required to hold the teat was significantly higher in female calves (210.00±15.71sec) as compared to male calves (180.47±14.23 sec) On 60 th and 90 th day the time required to hold the teats was significantly lower in male calves than female calves. While comparing within group time required by calves to hold the teats showed decreasing trend from day of calving to 90 th day and F-value suggest significant (p<0.01) difference between observations on different days. In the present study, the time required for teat holding was significantly higher in female calves than in male calves, indicating better alertness and overall health status. Moreover, teat-holding duration was markedly greater on the 15 th day of age compared to the 30 th day. Similar finding was also reported by Singh et al. (2016) [7] who observed longer teat holding time in calves up to 15 th day observation as compare to 30 th day observation. The overall time required was almost similar in male and female calves (5.0±0.36 and 5.0±0.28 min). The F-value of female calves was highly significant (p<0.01) and in male calves significant at 5% level. Time required to hold the teats was almost similar in case of males on 30 th to 75 th day and in case of females it was almost similar on (15 th to 60 th day). Longer suckling time in males as compared to female calves was also recorded by Rawat et al. (2015) [16] . The reason behind more time required in male claves might be attributed to activity of male calves and hunger.

Time to First Suckling

Teat-Holding Duration

Suckling Duration

Number of Strokes for Let-Down

The result of no. of strokes for let-down of milk have been presented in The overall no. of strokes required by female were significantly higher (p<0.01) than male calves. While comparing within group, time required by calves to hold the teats showed decreasing trend from DOC to 90 th day and F value suggest significant (p<0.01) difference between observations on different days. Time required to hold the teats within the male calves were similar on 45 th to 75 th day.

In female calves number of stroke was similar on 60 th and 75 th day; value of DOC, 15 th and 30 th day was different from other observations. The present finding was in close agreement with result of Rawat et al. (2015) [16] . Who also reported that male calves (1.86±0.35 times) require lesser stroke for let-down of milk as compare to female (2.81±0.33 times), though number of stroke was less in their finding. The number of strokes made during suckling for let-down of milk was associated with growth rate (Singh et al., 2016) [7] .

Let-Down Time of Dam

The results of let-down time of milk have been presented in The overall time required by dam of female calves for milk let-down was significantly (p<0.05) higher as compared to dam of male calves. The F-value of both male and female was highly significant (p<0.01). The mean values of letdown time of milk in male calves within the group were similar on 15 th to 75 th day. While in case of females the value was almost similar on 15 th to 45 th day and 30 th to 60 th day. Values of DOC in female was significantly different from rest of the days. Decreasing trend in let-down time was observed in both the groups from DOC to 90 th day. In the present investigation, dams nursing female calves exhibited a significantly longer milk let-down time (p<0.05) compared with dams nursing male calves. This variation is likely influenced by differences in calf vitality and the parity status of the dam. In this study the milk let-down time was greater during the early days of lactation compared with later stages. This reduction over time may be attributed to the progressive improvement in the suckling ability of the calves as they matured. Overall mean of body weight of male calves was higher than females though it was not significantly different. The mean values of body weight of females were higher than males on DOC and 15 th day though it was not significant. Male and female body weight showed increasing trend from DOC to 90 th day. The F-value of both the groups were highly significant (p<0.01). While comparing within group body weight was similar on 30 th and 45 th day in both the group. Body weight of calves on DOC varied significantly with weight of different test day in both the groups. Similar to this result Eachternkamp et al. (1993) [3] reported that birth weight was higher in males as compared to female calves and Thiruvenkadan et al. (2009) [8] reported that male has higher body weight as compare to female at all age group.

Conclusions

Proper health and well-being of calves depends on adequate amount of high-quality colostrum at birth, sufficient quantities of milk during suckling and adequate feeding after weaning. In buffaloes immediately after calving there is critical period where mother-offspring bond establishes through fast learning (imprinting) using specific cognitive skills. The mean value of time required by male calves for first suckling was higher (81.22±5.97) than female calves (75.22±5.87) though the difference not varied significantly. The overall time required to hold the teat was significantly higher in female calves (210.00±15.71 sec) as compared to male calves (180.47±14.23 sec). On 60 th and 90 th day also the time required to hold the teats was significantly higher in female than male calves. Teat holding time was significantly higher for first 15th day as compared to 30th day. The overall time of suckling required was almost similar in male and female calves (5.0±0.36 and 5.0±0.28 min). The overall no. of strokes required for let-down of milk by female were significantly higher (p<0.01) than male calves. The overall time required by dam of female calves for milk let-down was significantly (p<0.05) higher as compared to dam of male calves. Time of letdown of milk in buffalo was significantly (p<0.05) positively correlated with time required in holding teats (0.587), no. of attempt to teat suckling (0.569) and no. of strokes required for let-down (0.669) by calves on the day of calving (DOC); moreover, time of let-down was also significantly (p<0.05) positively correlated on 45 th day of observation.

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