Implementation of milk control and its influence on the behavior and productivity of Murrah buffaloes.

Autor: Andría, M. V., Oliveira, R. S., Marcondes, C. R., Souza, E. A., Silva, V. C., Dantas, J. L. S., Oliveira, K. N., Santos, D. M.
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Zdroj: Revista Veterinaria; 2010, Vol. 21 Issue 1, p559-561, 3p, 1 Chart, 1 Graph
Abstrakt: Buffalos have become an economically viable source of protein due to their adaptability, precocity and longevity. Knowledge about the behavior of this species contributes to its welfare and good performance in terms of productivity. In an attempt to promote advances, 24 Murrah buffaloes participating in an improvement program at Recôncavo of Bahia, Brazil, were monitored during the first three months of Milk Control (CL) for their behavior in the milking room, in the presence of st rangers. The behavioral variables monitored through direct observation were: permanence in the milking room (TPOR); milking time (TOR); rumination (Ru); defecation (Def); miction (Mic); reactivity (Reat); stress level (Nest). In addition, records were made of milk production on the date (PLO), milk production one week later (PLP) and class (CAT1 for first parturition and CAT2 for multiparous). The mean TPOR was 21, and the mean TOR was seven minutes. Only one defecated and three urinated during the first CL. Approximately 50% presented Reat mode equal to 1, 33% equal to 2 and only 17% equal to 3, with 80% in CAT1 and 58% in CAT2 showing little or no restlessness during milking. As for the modal Nest, only t wo CAT2 animals were rated as restless, 40% as slightly restless and 50% as quietly. The mean PLO was 7.54 kg, whereas the mean PLP was 10.06kg. The modal Nest and CAT were significant (P<0.05) over the mean PLO and PLP, and the females presenting Nest equal to 2 (slightly restless) produced 5kg more than those whose Nest values were 1 (restless). The modal Reat and the CAT were not significant over the same traits (P>0.05). The rank correlations between PLO and PLP were significant (P<0.05) and ranged between 0.44 and 0.91, suggesting that the presence of strangers during CL affected milk production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: Supplemental Index