Alberto de Gusmão Couto

Post-graduation in Animal Science at the Alagoas Federal University R. Desp. Humberto Guimarães, 191/102 Ponta Verde- Maceió, Alagoas- Brazil

CEP- 57035-030; couto.a@uol.com.br

Among domestic animals, the buffalo is one of the most intelligent. Because of this, it has the ability to adapt the most different situations, on the marshes or on the hinterlands with low rainfall. The objective of this study was investigated the behavior and well-being of buffalo milk and its influence on milk production. This work about

buffaloes was realized on a farm, located in São Luiz do Quitunde (Alagoas-Brazil). The work was divided into two phases. At first, it was observed the buffalo behavior between the calving and the beginning of milking, the procedure in case of the calve was born dead, or when it was rejected by the mother, the performance of buffaloes in collective breastfeeding. In the second phase, it was observed the behavior of buffaloes during the milking period. How the buffaloes were introduced in the milk room, how they behaved on the first day of milking, the procedures in cases where they rejected the sterile and milking. Situations where the buffalo cows were milked by the others, self-feeding and the hierarchy at the entrance to the milking. How to expedite the movement of buffaloes without stress for them, the attractions used to facilitate milking, symptoms of buffaloes stress and relaxation at the milking time. How to avoid buffaloes defecate and urinate in the milk place, to keep the environment cleaner. The results of this study support the statement that Ethology emerges with full force, stimulates by the positive results of promoting the well-being of their animals, understanding and respecting their behavior.

Key words: Buffaloes, Behavior, Well-being, Milking, Production

Ethology studies the behavior and welfare of animals. In Europe, it was seen as science by the 1930’s, in the USA it was only considered science by the 50’s and in Brazil by the 80’s.

Among all domestic animals, the buffalo is one of the most intelligent creatures. Hence, it can adapt to various environments and situations, from the swamp to the wilderness with little rainfall.

As for their behavior, the buffalo cows display them in a fashion that is similar to the human beings, showing nuances like: caress, love, hate, jealousy, patronization, among others. Buffalo cows are very loving towards their offspring, and even if they are put apart for some years they stroll together as a family if the land management allows it.

Herewith it is described an experiment held in the Castanha Grande farm, located in São Luiz do Quitunde (Alagoas-Brazil), showing the behavior and welfare of dairy buffalo cows aiming at a better economical performance.

Note taking was divided into two topics: behavior of dairy buffalo cow between calving and milking, and behavior of buffalo cows during lactation.

When their offspring is born the buffalo cows show their love to the calf recognizing it by its specific scent.

Without an offspring there is no reason for milk production and secreting cells from their mammary glands gradually cease production. In order to avoid economic loss, the farmer may perform the following procedures:

1. Induce the buffalo cow to adopt an offspring. Put in the same pen the mother of the stillborn calf and another buffalo cow that calved on the same day.

 

2. Induce the buffalo cow to produce milk by making it smell a piece of the stillborn skin.

1.2.1 Due to a very low body condition score;

1.2.2 Due to stress at calving and it may be caused by: dogs, vultures trying to get either the placenta or the calf;

1.2.3 Labor in pens full of mud or manure

On the first few days after calving most buffalo cows only allow their own calves to suckle. As time goes by, after their calves have stimulated their milk yield they allow other calves to suckle. This was studied and proved at Castanha Grande farm.

When a buffalo cow is introduced in a new lot it is stranded by the others. The main reason for that is the competition for food in both the trough and pasture. In a milking lot it would not be any different. Dominant buffalo cows would fight the newcomer, beating it top make it go away from the herd. The farmer should only add another buffalo cow to the milking lot when the herd is already in the pasture or when they are leaving the pen to the pasture, enabling the newcomer to escape from the rival buffalos.

On the first milking day everything is odd to her especially if it is their first offspring. It is important to observe their behavior so as to provide them maximum comfort.

When buffalo cows refuse to be milked they kick frontward so as to avoid the hand of the milker and not willing to hurt him. After many observations it was adopted the following protocol: while one milker holds one of the buffalo cow’s feet the other one performs the asepsis and place the teatcups. This should only be done if the buffalo cows are restrained by their side and the milking parlor has a ditch. If should never be done with dairy cattle because they kick so as to hurt the milker. When the teatcups are already into place the buffalo cows in general feel at ease.

If the period between weaning and the next milking is short, and if the buffalo cow and its daughter are kept together or separate Just during the weaning period it is possible that her offspring will not leave the suckling habit.

When the calf grows together with milking buffalo cows due to the absence of its mother it will suckle the other milking females even after having calved. There are adequate devices for sale that will impede buffalo cows to suckle other milking females. These animals should be taken out of the herd.

Some buffalo cows, in general animals from the previous case, when milking they raise one of the hinder legs and suckle their own teats since they do not find any other milking female around. Fortunately these cases are rare. As in the previous case they should be taken to the slaughterhouse.

In general, the udders of buffalo cows that produce more milk are full at the milking time, and since it is painful and disturb the animal they should be Milk first whenever possible. When already conditioned the buffalo cows know that milking relieve the pain. Apart from the shy ones, it can be said that the hierarchy to enter the milking parlor is connected to their need to deplete their udders.

It is necessary to select people that are patient and careful to work with buffalo cows. Buffalo cows are very sensitive to rough movements such as a whip or a strong slap on the rear. These actions may cause negative behavior reactions when being milked. Gentle and constant taps on the rear or even light strikes with a plastic tube on the sacrum facilitate the conduction of buffalo cows with no negative reaction. A short rod with a piece of cloth tied to its end is already used by people that know about animal behavior.

In many farms cowboys twist the buffalo cows’ tails in order to get them move and many times they break the tails. This action will bring stress to the animal, disturbing its appetite thus making it lose weight, reduce milk yield and it will increase its aggressiveness. In the studied farm it is strictly forbidden to hold the buffalo cows’ tails. Any employee that twists the tail of buffalo cows or either strongly whips or beats them will be fired at once.

Rough actions with dairy buffalo cows generate a "culture of violence" that may bring severe losses in the milk yield. A conscientious farmer shall promote a tranquil environment treating his buffalo cows with affection. It is important to distribute posters on the shed walls saying: "Buffalo cows like affection", "Buffalo cows like silence", "Respect the buffalo cows", "Buffalo cows have feelings too."

A thin shower over the head of buffalo cows or a trough with water during the time they are being milked may ease them down. An employee gently scrubbing their back may sound a bit too much but it will bring excellent results since the relaxation of these animals result in a higher milk yield.

It is easy to identify buffalo cows suffering from stress during the milking time. The main symptoms are:

2.9.1. Agitated with wide-opened eyes, raised ears towards the cause of their restlessness;

2.9.2. Frequently defecate and urinate;

2.9.3. They do not ruminate;

2.9.4. At extreme stress they open their mouth and stick their tongue out.

During milking the buffalo cows must be relaxed showing the following symptoms:

2.10.1 Standing with total inertia

2.10.2 Low head and ears

2.10.3 Sleepy eyes, sometimes even closed

2.10.4 Ruminating

It was observed that during every movement of the herd before the milking time many buffalo cows defecate and urinate reducing the quality of the milk. Thus it was employed a routine in which the buffalo cows stop in successive pens before they are milked. Before they enter the antechamber of the milking parlor they are washed to stimulate defecation and urination, and eliminate horn flies. It also promotes body cleanliness, thermal comfort, and reduces stress.

The objective of this study was to show the importance of understanding animal behavior aiming at a higher milk yield. In each sector it was observed and identified the problems and it was suggested solutions. Hence, the study of dairy buffalo cows enables the farmer to provide better welfare and consequently increase his revenues.

Water Buffalo Milk

 

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