Vol. 10, Special Issue 11 (2021)

Author(s):
Amit, Subhasish Sahu, Rakesh Kumar, Archana Sarangi, DC Yadav, Sandeep, Devender Singh Bidhan, SK Chhikara and Spandan Shashwat Dash

Abstract:
An attempt was made to study the effect of microclimate alterations on growth of buffalo heifers during summer at buffalo farm of LPM, LUVAS, Hisar (Haryana). Twenty buffalo heifers (8-18 months of age) were divided into four groups (5 heifers in each group) viz. T₁ (control): Corrugated asbestos roof; T₂: Corrugated asbestos roof painted white on upper side; T₃: Corrugated asbestos roof having EPE (Expanded polyethylene) sheet on lower side and T₄: Corrugated asbestos roof painted white on upper side and EPE sheet on lower side. The heifers were weighed individually before feeding and watering in the morning at fortnightly intervals, whereas; body measurements (body length, body height and heart girth) were recorded on monthly intervals. Average weight gain over the experimental period as well as ADG per animal were significantly higher (P<0.05) in T₄ (37.80±2.03 and 0.420±0.02, respectively) and lowest in T₁ (28.80±1.32 and 0.320±0.01, respectively) whereas; body measurements were always non-significant among treatments although values were always higher for T4. So it can be concluded that microclimate alterations by roof modifications using EPE sheets as well as white paint helped heifers to grow at a faster speed as compared to existing asbestos roofs.