Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T22:12:57.013Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The behaviour and welfare of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in modern dairy enterprises

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2013

F. Napolitano ,
C. Pacelli ,
F. Grasso ,
A. Braghieri  and
G. De Rosa
F. Napolitano*
Affiliation:
Scuola di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università della Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
C. Pacelli
Affiliation:
Scuola di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università della Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
F. Grasso
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Agraria, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Università 133, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy
A. Braghieri
Affiliation:
Scuola di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università della Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
G. De Rosa
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Agraria, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Università 133, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy
*
†E-mail: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

This review deals with the behaviour of river buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), in confinement and in extensive conditions, also focusing on the effects of different housing and rearing conditions on their welfare. The behavioural repertoire expressed by buffaloes in extensive and intensive conditions is similar to those displayed by other domestic ruminants. However, through natural selection, buffaloes have also acquired several morphological, physiological and behavioural (i.e. wallowing) adaptations to hot climatic conditions. Buffaloes kept in intensive conditions and having no access to pasture and water for wallowing extend their periods of idling and are less often involved in investigative activities. Confinement is also associated with a reduction of space; however, no specific studies have been carried out to determine the specific requirements of this species. Space restriction can adversely affect various aspects of buffalo welfare, such as health (increased levels of lesions and injuries), social behaviour (increased number of agonistic interactions) and heat dissipation. The buffaloes, originating from tropical areas, are well adapted to large variations in food availability and quality, and to dietetic unbalances. As to human animal relationship, it has been observed that the incidence of stepping and kicking behaviour of buffaloes in the milking parlour is positively correlated with the frequency of oxytocin injections, whereas the frequency of positive stockperson interactions with the animals such as talking quietly, petting and gentle touching are negatively correlated with the number of kicks during milking. Data from farms where both dairy cattle and buffaloes are present show that avoidance distance measured in the pen is lower in buffaloes than in cattle. This may be attributed to the fact that buffaloes are generally recognised to be curious animals. Finally, the effects of different farming practices on animal-related indicators are described. However, these measures should be integrated into a monitoring protocol, such as the Welfare Quality® scheme, to reliably assess buffalo welfare in the current intensive farming conditions.

Keywords

dairy buffalobehaviourhousing systemanimal welfare
Type
Behaviour, welfare and health
Information
animal , Volume 7 , Issue 10 , October 2013 , pp. 1704 - 1713
Copyright
Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bartocci, S, Terramoccia, S, Puppo, S 2005. New acquisitions on the digestive physiology of the Mediterranean buffalo. In Buffalo production and research (ed. A Borghese), pp. REU 67, 161–172. FAO, Rome, Italy.Google Scholar
BOSTID 1981. The water buffalo: new prospects for an underutilized animal. National Academy Press, Washington. Retrieved on January 4, 2013, from http://www.cd3wd.com/cd3wd_40/cd3wd/AGRIC/B21WAE/EN/B1723.HTMGoogle Scholar
Bracke, MBM 2011. Review of wallowing in pigs: description of the behaviour and its motivational basis. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 132, 1–13.Google Scholar
Braghieri, A, Pacelli, C, Girolami, A, Napolitano, F 2011. Time budget, social and ingestive behaviours expressed by native beef cows in Mediterranean conditions. Livestock Science 141, 47–52.Google Scholar
Bud, I, Velea, C, Marcu, N, Muresan, G, Vomir, M, David, V 1985. Behaviour of dairy buffaloes on pasture. Nutrition Abstracts and Reviews 55, 185.Google Scholar
Campanile, G, De Filippo, C, Di Palo, R, Taccone, W, Zicarelli, L 1998. Influence of dietary protein on urea levels in blood and milk of buffalo cows. Livestock Production Science 55, 135–143.Google Scholar
Chaplin, SJ, Tierney, G, Stockwell, C, Logue, DN, Kelly, M 2000. An evaluation of mattresses and mats in two dairy units. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 66, 263–272.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Rosa, G, Napolitano, F, Saltalamacchia, F, Bilancione, A, Sabia, E, Grasso, F, Bordi, A 2007a. The effect of rearing system on behavioural and immune responses of buffalo heifers. Italian Journal of Animal Science 6 (Suppl. 2), 1260–1263.Google Scholar
De Rosa, G, Napolitano, F, Grasso, F, Bilancione, A, Spadetta, M, Pacelli, C, Van Reenen, K 2007b. Welfare Quality®: a pan-European integrated project including buffaloes. Italian Journal of Animal Science 6 (Suppl.2), 1360–1363.Google Scholar
De Rosa, G, Grasso, F, Braghieri, A, Bilancione, A, Di Francia, A, Napolitano, F 2009a. Behavior and milk production of buffalo cows as affected by housing system. Journal of Dairy Science 2, 907–912.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Rosa, G, Grasso, F, Bilancione, A, Migliori, G, Napolitano, F, Winckler, C, Van Reenen, K 2009b. Final monitoring scheme for the assessment of dairy buffalo welfare. EU-project Welfare Quality®. Retrieved on July 19, 2012, from http://www.welfarequality.netGoogle Scholar
Di Palo, R, Midea, D, Campanile, G, Rossi, N, Zicarelli, L 2001. Influence of management system on reproductive activity of dairy buffaloes during the hot season. In Proceedings of the 6th World Buffalo Congress, 21–23 May 2011, Maracaibo, Venezuela, pp. 130–136.Google Scholar
Gillund, P, Reksen, O, Gröhn, YT, Karlberg, K 2001. Body condition related to ketosis and reproductive performance in Norwegian dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 84, 1390–1396.Google Scholar
Grasso, F, Napolitano, F, De Rosa, G, Migliori, G, Bordi, A 2001. Effect of space allowance and chromium supplementation on buffalo calves welfare. Zootecnica e Nutrizione Animale 2, 55–63.Google Scholar
Grasso, F, Napolitano, F, De Rosa, G, Quarantelli, T, Serpe, L, Bordi, A 1999. Effect of pen size on behavioral, endocrine and immune responses of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves. Journal of Animal Science 77, 2039–2046.Google Scholar
Grasso, F, De Rosa, G, Marsico, I, Napolitano, F, Migliori, G, Bordi, A 2003. Welfare of buffalo heifers in relation to feeding and space allowance. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2, 148–150.Google Scholar
Hafez, ESE, Badreldin, AL, Shafie, MM 1955. Skin structure of Egyptian buffaloes and cattle with particular reference to sweat glands. Journal of Agricultural Science 46, 19–30.Google Scholar
Hemsworth, PH, Coleman, GJ 2011. Human-livestock interactions, 2nd edition. CAB International, Wallingford, UK.Google Scholar
Kennedy, PM 1995. Intake and digestion in swamp buffaloes and cattle. 4. Particle size and buoyancy in relation to voluntary intake. Journal of Agricultural Science 124, 277–287.Google Scholar
Knierim, U, Winckler, C 2009. On-farm welfare assessment in cattle – validity, reliability and feasibility issues and future perspectives with special regard to the Welfare Quality® approach. Animal Welfare 18, 451–458.Google Scholar
Koga, A 1991. Effects of high environmental temperatures on some physicochemical parameters of blood and heat production in swamp buffaloes and Holstein cattle. Animal Science Technology 62, 1022–1028.Google Scholar
Koga, A 1999. Internal changes of blood compartments and heat distribution in swamp buffaloes in hot condition: comparative study of thermoregulation in buffaloes and Freisian cows. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Science 12, 886–890.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kumar, S, Nagarajan, M, Sandhu, SJ, Kumar, N, Behl, V, Nishanth, G 2007. Mitochondrial DNA analyses of Indian water buffalo support a distinct genetic origin of river and swamp buffalo. Animal Genetics 38, 227–232.Google Scholar
Lowman, BG, Scott, N, Sommerville, S 1976. Condition scoring of cattle, Revised edition. Bulletin No. 6 East of Scotland College of Agriculture, Edinburgh, UK.Google Scholar
Macfarlane, WV 1981. The housing of large mammals in hot environments. In Environmental aspects of housing for animal production (ed. JA Clark), pp. 259–284. Butterworths, London, UK.Google Scholar
Masucci, F, De Rosa, G, Grasso, F, Napolitano, F, Esposito, G, Di Francia, A 2011. Performance and immune response of buffalo calves supplemented with probiotic. Livestock Science 137, 24–30.Google Scholar
Mattiello, S, Battini, M, Andreoli, E, Minero, M, Barbieri, S, Canali, E 2010. Avoidance distance test in goats: a comparison with its application in cows. Small Ruminant Research 91, 215–218.Google Scholar
Menke, C, Waiblinger, S, Fölsch, DW, Wiepkema, PR 1999. Social behaviour and injuries of horned cows in loose housing systems. Animal Welfare 8, 243–258.Google Scholar
Munksgaard, L, de Passillé, AM, Rushen, J, Herskin, MS, Kristensen, AM 2001. Dairy cows’ fear of people: social learning, milk yield and behaviour at milking. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 73, 15–26.Google Scholar
Munoz, MA, Bennett, GJ, Ahiström, C, Griffiths, HM, Schukken, YH, Zadoks, RN 2008. Cleanliness scores as indicator of Klebsiella exposure in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 91, 3908–3916.Google Scholar
Murphey, RM, Paranhos da Costa, MJR, Silva, RG, Souz, RC 1995. Allonursing in river buffalo, Bubalus bubalis: nepotism, incompetence, or thievery? Animal Behaviour 49, 1611–1616.Google Scholar
Napolitano, F, De Rosa, G, Sevi, A 2008. Welfare implications of artificial rearing and early weaning in sheep. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 110, 58–72.Google Scholar
Napolitano, F, De Rosa, G, Grasso, F, Bordi, A 2004. Influence of space restriction on welfare of weaned buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis). Livestock Production Science 86, 117–124.Google Scholar
Napolitano, F, De Rosa, G, Grasso, F, Wemelsfelder, F 2012. Qualitative behaviour assessment of dairy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 141, 91–100.Google Scholar
Napolitano, F, De Rosa, G, Girolami, A, Scavone, M, Braghieri, A 2011. Avoidance distance in sheep: test-retest reliability and relationship with stockmen attitude. Small Ruminant Research 99, 81–86.Google Scholar
Napolitano, F, Grasso, F, Saltamacchia, F, Martiniello, P, Bilancione, A, Pacelli, C, De Rosa, G 2007. Grazing behaviour of buffalo heifers. Italian Journal of Animal Science 6 (Suppl.2), 1256–1259.Google Scholar
Napolitano, F, Grasso, F, Bordi, A, Tripaldi, C, Saltalamacchia, F, Pacelli, C, De Rosa, G 2005. On-farm welfare assessment in dairy cattle and buffaloes: evaluation of some animal-based parameters. Italian Journal of Animal Science 4, 223–231.Google Scholar
Odyuo, LT, Jana, DN, Das, N 1995. Maintenance behaviour of Murrah buffalo under an intensive management system. Applied Animal Behaviour 45, 293–299.Google Scholar
Redbo, I, Nordblad, A 1997. Stereotypies in heifers are affected by feeding regime. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 53, 193–202.Google Scholar
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 2011. RSPCA welfare standards for dairy cattle. Retrieved on April 3, 2013, from http://www.rspca.org.uk/sciencegroup/farmanimals/standards/dairycattleGoogle Scholar
Rushen, J, Munksgaard, L, Marnet, PG, DePassillé, AM 2001. Human contact and the effects of acute stress on cows at milking. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 73, 1–14.Google Scholar
Saltalamacchia, F, Tripaldi, C, Castellano, A, Napolitano, F, Musto, M, De Rosa, G 2007. Human and animal behaviour in dairy buffalo at milking. Animal Welfare 16, 139–142.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sato, S, Sako, S, Maeda, A 1991. Social licking patterns in cattle (Bos taurus): influence of environmental and social factors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 32, 3–12.Google Scholar
Schlecht, E, Hiernaux, P, Kadaourè, I, Hulsebusch, C, Mahler, F 2006. A spatio-temporal analysis of forage availability and grazing and excretion behaviour of herded and free grazing cattle, sheep and goats in Western Niger. Ecosystems and Environment 113, 226–242.Google Scholar
Schultz, E, Schultz, TA, Garmendia, JC, Chico, CF 1977. Comparison of cattle and domestic buffaloes fed on tropical forage at three vegetative stages. 1. Behaviour, intake and rumination. Agronomie Tropicale 27, 319–330.Google Scholar
Terramoccia, S, Bartocci, S, Borghese, A 2005. Nutritional requirements in buffalo cows and heifers. In Buffalo production and research (ed. A Borghese), pp. REU 67, 145–160. FAO, Rome, Italy.Google Scholar
Terzano, GM, Mazzi, M, d'Elisi, MG, Cuscunà, FP, Borghese, A, Martiniello, P, Pacelli, C 2007. Effect of intensive or extensive systems on buffalo heifers performances: body measurements and respective indices. Italian Journal of Animal Science 6 (Suppl. 2), 1237–1240.Google Scholar
Thomas, CS, Nordstrom, J, Svennersten-Sjaunja, K, Wiktorsson, H 2005. Maintenance and milking behaviours of Murrah buffaloes during two feeding regimes. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 91, 261–276.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tripaldi, C, De Rosa, G, Grasso, F, Terzano, GM, Napolitano, F 2004. Housing system and welfare of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) cows. Animal Science 78, 477–483.Google Scholar
Waiblinger, S, Menke, C, Coleman, G 2002. The relationship between attitudes, personal characteristics and behaviour of stockpeople and subsequent behaviour and production of dairy cows. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 79, 195–219.Google Scholar
Watts, JM, Stookey, JM 2000. Vocal behaviour in cattle: the animal's commentary on its biological processes and welfare. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 67, 15–33.Google Scholar
Winckler, C, Willen, S 2001. The reliability and repeatability of a lameness scoring system for use as an indicator of welfare in dairy cattle. Animal Science 30, 103–107.Google Scholar
Winckler, C, Capdeville, J, Gebresenbet, G, Hörning, B, Roiha, U, Tosi, MV, Waiblinger, S 2003. Selection of parameters of on-farm welfare-assessment protocols in cattle and buffalo. Animal Welfare 12, 619–624.Google Scholar
Windschnurer, I, Boivin, X, Waiblinger, S 2009. Reliability of an avoidance distance test for the assessment of animals responsiveness to humans and a preliminary investigation of its association with farmers’ attitudes on bull fattening farms. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 117, 117–127.Google Scholar