Comparative Response of Growth (Body weight & Body Measurements) Under Different Housing Systems in Murrah Buffalo Heifers

Twenty female buffalo heifers of 12-15 months age were selected from the buffalo herd maintained by Buffalo Research Centre, Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, LALA-LAJPAT RAI University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Hisar (LUVAS). The animals were divided into four groups of 5 each on the basis of their nearness to their body weight and age. The experiment was conducted for a period of 120 days ( Ist February to 31st May ) to compare the effect of two housing systems and two feeding systems were : T1: Conventional barn + Seasonal green fodder and concentrate mixture , T2: Conventional barn + Hay and concentrate mixture, T3: Loose housing + Seasonal green fodder and concentrate mixture, T4: Loose housing + Hay and concentrate mixture. Body weight was significantly affected by the housing systems but not by the treatments and feeding systems as there was significant difference in daily weight gains between housing systems, but not between systems of feeding. Body measurements were not affected by all the treatments, housing and feeding systems. With in the limit of the present experiment it can be concluded that loose housing system with hay feeding as per NRC recommendation was better and more comfortable for young growing heifers because they had better growth as compared to the heifers those were kept in conventional barn under green fodder feeding.