Pipat Somparn, Malcolm John Gibb, Kanchana Markvichitr, Narongsak Chaiyabutr, Sawat Thummabood, and Chanvit Vajrabukka

pp. 399 - 411

Abstract

Sixteen 14-month-old swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) heifers were used to study the effect of supplementary lighting on eating time, number of meals and meal duration and growth performance. Eight heifers were allocated to a natural photoperiod regime, receiving approximately 12 h of daylight, (control
treatment) and eight heifers were allocated to a supplementary lighting regime, receiving an additional 6 h of artificial light during the night, (light supplemented treatment) using a cross-over design. Rice straw was offered ad libitum and commercial concentrate was also offered approximately 1.5 kg/animal/day. Supplementary lighting was provided by eight 60 W white fluorescent tubes placed approximately 2.5 m above the ground under the roof. Supplementary lighting did not significantly effect eating behaviour, daily intake or live weight gain. It is concluded that the performance of corralled buffalo heifers cannot be improved by the provision of supplementary lighting.