AZIKHELI BUFFALO BREED, ITS PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE UNDER TRADITIONAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN DISTRICT SWAT (N.W.F.P.) PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study on physical and morphometric characteristics, productive and reproductive performance was carried out on Azikheli buffalos and bulls in Khwazakhela, District Swat, NWFP, Pakistan. Various physical characteristics studied included color patterns of the coat, forehead, eyelashes, eyes, horns, muzzle, forelegs, hind legs and hooves of Azikheli buffalos and bulls. Morphometric measurements included heart girth, body length, height at wither, height at hipbone, head region (face length, ear length and width), horn, neck, back, rump, legs, and tail. Productive performance studies included standard 305-day milk yield and daily milk yield. Parameters for reproductive performance were pubertal age, postpartum anestrus interval, conception efficiency, calving interval and dry period. The present study revealed that majority of Azikheli buffalos (62.04%) and bulls (61%) are brown in coat color, while a low percentage of cows and bulls are black, black and white but white was observed in only 4% of both sexes. They have completely white color forehead, white color eyelashes, blue shining eyes, black color horns, white muzzle, white color fore legs below knee joint, white color hind legs below hock joint and brownish color hooves with no sex differences among these color patterns. Azikheli buffalos have significantly higher heart girth size, longer horns, longer neck, and wider face at the level of eyes than bulls. On the other hand Azikheli buffalo have significantly longer bodies, longer ears, thick horns, thick neck and large hooves than buffalo. Tail of Azikheli buffalo and of bulls are above hock as cutting of switch is routine practice. Horns are flat laterally, directed backward and slightly upwards without twisting giving a sickle or semi-sickle appearance. Mean 305-day milk yield recorded in Azikheli buffalo was 2494.02±52.44 liters. Significant effect of parity was observed on mean 305-day milk yield with higher milk production in second (P<O.OOl) and third parity (P<O.OOl) compared to first parity. No significant effect of calving season on 305-day milk yield was observed. Mean daily milk yield recorded in Azikheli buffalo was 8.177±0.171 liters. Mean daily milk yield was significantly higher in second (t (70) =3.52; P<O.OOl) and third (t (70) = 4.55 ; P<O.OOl) parity compared to first parity. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in daily milk production among spring, sunm1er, autullU1 and winter season. Mean pubertal age of Azild1eli buffalos recorded was 1147.93±1 3.05 days and the highest percentage ofbuffalos (44.89%; n=202) was observed in pubeltal age ranging from 811 -1081 days with mean pubeltal age of Azikheli Buffa lo Breed, its Productive & Reproductive Perfonnance Under Traditional Management System in District Swat NWFP Pak istan V ll Abstract 1 048.81±4.87 days. Mean postpartum estrus interval in Azikheli buffalo observed was 147.56±5.64 days. Highly significant (b= -0.026±0.0044; F (I , 2) = 30.59; p= 0.03) reduction in mean postpmium anestrus interval was observed as parity increases from first to fourth. Similarly significant (b= - 9.143±1.87; F (\, 2) = 23 .77; P=0.0396) effect of season on postpartum anestrus interval was also observed with the longest postpartum anoestrus interval in autumn season and shortest in summer season. The percentage of Azikheli buffalo conceived after first service was 64.33 %. Mean calving interval observed in Azikheli buffalos was 489.16±5.82 days. Highly significant (b= -0.021±0.001; F (I , 2) =213.09; P=0.004) reduction in mean calving interval was noted as parity number advances from first to fourth. The effect of season on calving interval was statistically not significant. Mean dry period observed was 119.47±2.58 days. Highly significant (b= -0.049±0.0100; F (I, 2) = 24.56; P = 0.03) reduction in mean dry period was observed as parity increases from first to fourth. However, no significant effect of season on dry period was observed (P>0.05). Calf sex ratio observed in Azikheli buffalo was 1 00 ~ ~: 89 () (). There was no significant effect of parity on calf sex ratio. Season significantly (X2 (\) = 3.985; P=0.045) affect calf sex ratio with more male birth in autumn compared to spring season. Mean birth weight of male calf observed in this study was 33.42±0.67 kg. Male birth weight in parity second was significantly higher than in first parity (t (33) = 2.26511 ; P=0.03) and third parity (t (32) = 3.2725; P=0.002). No significant (F (3, 46) =0.285456; P= 0.83) differences in male birth weight was found in calves born in different season of the year. Mean birth weight of female calf was 29.67±0.75 kg. No significant effect of parity (F (2, 46) =2.54; P= 0.08) and season (F (3, 45) =0.234732; P= 0.87) was observed on female calf birth weight. Male calves were highly significantly (t (97) =3.71; P= 0.0003) heavier than female calves at birth