Maternal and Neonatal Behaviour in Italian Mediterranean Buffaloes

Simple Summary A clear understanding of species-specific natural behaviours is crucial for assessing animal welfare. In this regard, one of the most sensitive and critical moments for dairy farming animals is the post-partum period. Currently, very little information is available on this period in buffaloes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the maternal and neonatal behavioural patterns of Italian Mediterranean buffaloes during the early post-partum period and the relationship of both dam and calf welfare indicators (e.g., behaviours and growth rate). Behavioural patterns (postural, grooming, maternal rejection, and feeding) are described in detail for both dams and calves. Maternal rejection behaviours (pawing the calf, pushing the calf, and avoidance behaviour) are found to be negatively correlated with calf growth. In this regard, monitoring buffaloes' maternal behaviours seems to be crucial, especially for primiparous mothers, in order to prevent welfare consequences for newborns when raised together. The aim of this study was to describe the neonatal and maternal behaviour of Italian Mediterranean buffaloes. Thirty primiparous buffaloes were moved into individual pens 12.5 (+/- 2.5) days before calving. Maternal and neonatal behaviours were recorded for 48 h after calving and the analysis was performed in continuous sampling with the software BORIS. Calves' clinical evaluations (temperature, weight, and heart and respiratory rates) were performed at different time intervals and correlated with behavioural data from the dam. Data were analysed with parametric and non-parametric methods after controlling their distribution. The maternal behavioural pattern found highlighted buffaloes' priorities during the post-partum period: firstly, they stand and start grooming to ensure proper care for the calf; it is only after this that they dedicate time to maintenance behaviours (feeding and lying). The dams mainly groomed the calf during the first six hours after calving (average time in the 1-6-h interval: 7.7 +/- 2.5 min., F = (2.5, 60.2) = 75.0; p < 0.001) to ensure the formation of the mother-infant bond; thereafter, the behaviour decreased over time. As reported in the literature, inexperienced mothers could sometimes delay the calf's first suckling with aggressive or rejection behaviours. In this regard, 16 buffalo dams showed at least one maternal rejection behaviour, which was found to negatively correlate with calves' daily weight gain (DWG) at 14 (r(s) = -0.5, p = 0.02) and 21 days (r(s) = -0.7, p < 0.001). The calves took on average 212.0 +/- 110.0 min to suckle, and this behaviour was mainly shown during the first six hours. Overall, suckling behaviour was correlated with standing: (r(s) = 0.6, p < 0.001) and walking (r(s) = 0.9, p < 0.001). The calves' live weight and DWG were consistently higher than the values reported in the literature. Our results present a detailed description of maternal and neonatal behaviour in the early post-partum period in Italian Mediterranean buffaloes. We also found that maternal rejection behaviours can negatively influence the calves' growth. Finally, we think that such results can improve the management of buffaloes during the period around parturition.

Automated summary

The study investigated the maternal and neonatal behavioural patterns of Italian Mediterranean buffaloes during the early post-partum period, finding that maternal rejection behaviours can negatively impact calf growth. The study highlighted buffaloes' priorities in providing proper care for the calves to establish a strong bond, indicating the importance of monitoring maternal behaviours to prevent welfare consequences for newborns.