The feeding practices followed by the dairy buffaloes owners buffalo in central plain zone of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to study the feeding management practices in Kanpur Dehat. While observing feeding practices followed by the respondents, it was noted that the chopping of green fodder as a daily routine was practiced by only 83.33 per cent of the farmers. However, 16.67 per cent farmers chopped green fodder sometime. Excess green fodder in the form of hay and silage was not at all practiced in the study area. Chopping of dry fodder as a daily routine was practiced by only 100 per cent of farmers. Mixing of dry fodder with green fodder was adopted by only 60 per cent farmers. Some dairy farmers (30%) also practiced treatment of dry fodder by physical treatment (Sani preparation). The maximum number of farmers (18.33%) practiced pretreatment of concentrate (soaking, grinding and boiling) mixture and offered the same to the animals once in a day. A few respondents practiced supplementation of feed with mineral mixtures. Availability of clean and fresh drinking water to the animals was not ensured and they were dependent only on village pond and community water trough as a source of drinking water. Animals were fed in shed and also sent for grazing to the field surrounding the village and community pasture daily for 1-3 hours.