Dairy buffalo behaviour and welfare from calving to milking.

Abstract

This review integrates recent scientific findings on the behaviour and welfare of buffalo dams during calving and the subsequent milking phase. These issues are discussed in relation to the level of welfare that buffalo dams and calves experience under different production systems. Key aspects are addressed including welfare issues related to dystocic parturitions and uterine prolapses, the formation of a selective dam-calf bonding, the habituation of inexperienced animals to the milking routine and the appropriate relationship to be developed with stock-people. All these aspects are also discussed in relation to farm profitability, in terms of calf vitality and milk production, and safety of the personnel involved in farm operations.

Maternal behaviour in domestic dogs

“…It is generally accepted that dams identify their offspring by olfaction and this seems related to oxytocin release [9,18,20]. Oxytocin, a neuropeptide with the dual action of hormone and neurotransmitter, is another molecule largely involved in triggering maternal behaviour.…”

“…Maternal behaviour, delivery and nursing synchronisation assure that the dam responds to offspring's needs in time. A variety of studies in newborn mammals prove that maternal behaviour directly impacts on the neonatal survival [13][14][15] since mortality rates between birth and weaning are related to maternal and neonatal behaviour [16][17][18][19][20][21].…”

Similarities and Differences between River Buffaloes and Cattle: Health, Physiological, Behavioral and Productivity Aspects

“…In the following sections, the most important morphophysiological and reproductive aspects that distinguish the river buffalo from dairy cows and beef cattle are described at length. See Figure 1 [1,15,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35].…”

“…In the production chain of dairy products in general, mastitis in dairy cattle and buffaloes is a clinical condition that causes significant economic losses. It is considered one of the most serious limitations for this industry worldwide [26,92,93]. Reports indicate that Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the most important causal agents of this infection and is responsible for contagious intramammary infections in dairy herds [94].…”

“…Besides, the cross-breeding of Bos taurus and Bos indicus has been conducted to achieve greater resistance to tropical climate conditions and tick infections while simultaneously favoring milk production [15]. See Figure 7 [26].…”