Forty five weaned female buffalo calves were used in this investigation.
Animals were 5 months old with a mean live weight of 100 kg at the start
of the study. Animals were randomly assigned to 3 groups, 15 calves
each. Animals of each group were divided into 3 subgroups, 5 calves
each and each subgroup was housed under the prevalent environmental
conditions in a separate straw bedded floor pen. Groups were randomly
assigned to three treatments differing in the space allowance of each calf
which equals 50, 70 and 90% of its body surface. Body surface area was
calculated as 0.12 body weight (kg) 0.60. Pen size was adjusted at monthly
intervals to meet the experimented space allowance. Behavioral
observations, isolation test, adrenal response and microbial examination
of air and bedding materials were carried out during this investigation.
The obtained results indicated that 50% of body surface area is
inadequate space allowance for weaned buffalo calves compared to 70 or
90%. Space restriction to 50% of body surface area of weaned buffalo
calves affected calf welfare by increasing their stress, modifying their
behavior and increasing microbial contamination of air and bedding
materials in their environment. To fulfill the recent intensification and
economic techniques of rearing weaned buffalo calves and, at the same
time protect them from facing housing stress, it is recommended to house
the weaned buffalo calves in their pens with a space allowance equaling
at least 70% of its body surface area.