Calf‐cow and bull‐cow management in buffaloes: Effects on growth, productive and reproductive performance of mothers and their calves

The aim of the first study was to determine the influence of the calf handling (restricted or full contact) and fenceline bull stimulation on performance of mothers and their calves. The aim of the second study was to determine the relative impact of calf–bull contact, comparing the result of restricted calf and no bull with that of fenceline calf contact and direct bull contact on the performance of mother buffaloes and their calves. In Experiment 1, 24 mother–calf dyads were allocated to three treatments: NCB (no calf–mother–bull contact), RC‐FBC (restricted calf and fenceline bull contact) and FC‐FBC (fenceline calf and fenceline bull contact). In Experiment 2, another 24 mother–calf dyads were allocated to two treatments: RC‐NB (restricted calf and no bull contact) and FC‐DBC (fenceline calf and direct bull contact). In Experiment 1, average daily gain (ADG) was greater in FC‐FBC than RC‐FBC and NCB calves (p