Adaptation of buffalo calves to a new automatic milk feeder

Abstract

Rational heifer management in buffalo rearing is of paramount importance. There are no studies in the literature dealing with automatic feeding in individual boxes for buffalo calves. This study aims to deepen knowledge in this area and to evaluate the ability of buffalo calves to adapt to a mobile automatic feeder through data provided by the system's monitoring software. Data were collected on 3 different groups of 15 buffalo calves in succession with each other. The data on the daily feeding quantity and volume showed that 95.67 % of the calves were fed within the first day of stall in the automatic feeder. During the first 72 h in the calf house, the calves were fed from 2.49 ± 1.21 meals per day with an average feeding rate of 0.24 ± 0.06 L/min. The average daily milk intake was 3.57 ± 0.26 L/d, while the average milk intake during the first 72 h was 10.7 ± 0.77 L. The buffalo calves, therefore, showed themselves to be able to adapt to this type of feeding, making use of its advantages.