BEHAVIOUR OF GRAZING WATER BUFFALOES DEPENDING ON THE AVAILABILITY OF SHADE AND WATER FOR IMERSION

Authors

  • Denise de Souza Ablas Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
  • Evaldo Antonio Lencioni Titto Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
  • Alfredo Manuel Franco Pereira Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
  • Cristiane Gonçalves Titto Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
  • Thays Mayra da Cunha Leme Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract

Water buffaloes are particularly intolerant to direct solar radiation. During the warm periods of the day, the animals tend to search for mud or water puddles to refresh themselves, and they usually graze only during the cooler hours. This trial, proposes to study possible handling solutions for buffalo producers using the behavioral responses. 10 female buffaloes aging 24 months were observed for 3 days (from 06:00 to 18:00 h) in each of the handling systems:with natural and artificial shade (S); with artificial shade and pond (SA); with pond (A). The animals were observed in their location (under sun, under shadow, in water), attitude (standing, laying) and activity (grazing, ruminating, etc.). The animals spent more than 60% of the time in the sun (S:63,9%, SA: 64,5%, A: 71,9%), mostly ruminating. In the shade or in the pond, the main behaviors were rumination and inactivity. The use of the pond was remarkably preferential (SA: 237,7 minutes, A: 205,1 minutes). The results revealed a demand for any protection device against solar radiation for buffaloes on hot days, and, whenever available; water for immersion must be a priority. KEY-WORDS: Ethology, grazing, water buffaloes, welfare.

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Published

2007-07-04

How to Cite

ABLAS, Denise de Souza; TITTO, Evaldo Antonio Lencioni; PEREIRA, Alfredo Manuel Franco; TITTO, Cristiane Gonçalves; LEME, Thays Mayra da Cunha. BEHAVIOUR OF GRAZING WATER BUFFALOES DEPENDING ON THE AVAILABILITY OF SHADE AND WATER FOR IMERSION. Brazilian Animal Science/ Ciência Animal Brasileira, Goiânia, v. 8, n. 2, p. 167–176, 2007. Disponível em: https://revistas.ufg.br/vet/article/view/1339. Acesso em: 15 dec. 2025.

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2007)

Section

Animal Production

License

Copyright (c) 2007 Brazilian Animal Science/ Ciência Animal Brasileira

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