BODY-WEIGHT CHANGES DURING LACTATION AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH PARITY AND MILK-PRODUCTION IN BUFFALOS

Murrah buffaloes (215) revealed an average body weight loss of 24.6 kg during their first month of lactation and they continued loosing more weight up to fifth month of lactation. By the end of lactation on an average buffaloes regained most of the weight lost during the early mo nths of lactation. Younger buffaloes lost lesser proportion of body we ight during the early part of lactation and then gained at a faster ra te as compared to the older buffaloes. High milk producing buffaloes l ost significantly more body weight than low producing buffaloes during lactation. The service period of low producers was significantly bett er than that of high producers.