Potential of water spray in improving welfare of dairy subtropical buffaloes: Behavioral and biochemical evidence

Abstract

Heat stress is the main challenge for buffaloes as animals. The buffaloes wallow in water to abate the heat load. The use of sprayed water from sprinklers/soakers or misters has been the most common method of cooling in dairy animals during summer. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a cooling strategy on milk yield, physiological, behavioral and biochemical activities of buffaloes. Thirty dairy buffaloes aged (4-7) years old were used. The animals were divided into two groups; a control group (15 buffaloes) was reared on a dusty floor. The buffaloes were kept in an open yard throughout the day all over the year. The yard was provided with a holding pen for veterinary inspection and another cooled group (15 buffaloes) was managed as the control group in addition to a system of water tubes at 1.5 meters over the animal’s head ended with nozzles to allow automatic spraying of water over the animal body surface for 15 minutes (twice daily) to decrease body heat stress by evaporation. We concluded that the eating, rumination, and resting time (min/3hrs) were higher in cooled group buffaloes than in control group buffaloes. While the aggression was decreased with the cooling management system. The total milk yield was improved with the water spray cooling system on the buffalo farm. The onset of post-partum oestrus was faster in the cooled group.