EFFECT OF DIFFERENT HOUSING PATTERNS ON FEED AND WATER-INTAKE IN MEHSANA BUFFALO HEIFERS UNDER SEMIARID CONDITIONS

Three groups of 12-month-old buffalo heifers were reared for 1 year un der 3 housing patterns. Group 1 : individually tethered in a brick-wal led RCC: shed; group 2 : individually tethered in thatched roof shed; group 3 : individually tethered under tree shelter. The housing effect on feed intake was nonsignificant, but monthly variations were signif icant (P<0.05). The total daily water intake was significantly (P<0.05 ) different during different months, while water intake per 100 kg bod y weight and water intake per kg dry matter intake were significantly (P<0.05) different for housing and months. In semi-arid regions more o pen type of housing, i.e. thatched roof shed, has to be preferred for glowing buffaloes.