History:
Water Buffalo are not exotic animals but farm animals.
Population:
There are 180,000,000 water buffalos in the world, 100 million in India.
Water Buffalo Used for:
Draft
Meat
Milk
Leather
Horn
Water Buffalo have been in this country for 18 years, approximately 3500 living now.
2 basic types:
African & Syncerina Asian Water Buffalo
Bubalus Bison are the American Buffalo that are not in either group. African or the Cape Buffalo are wild and to this date have not been domesticated.
Asian on the other hand is a species with three historical types:
Tamaraw - is a small type found in Mindoro, Philippines and are almost extinct.
Anoa - is a dwarf type found in Indonesia.
Arni - the type we have has been domesticated for over 5,000 years.
Growth:
These animals are hardy, resistant to internal and external parasites. Friendly, intelligent and can become pets very easily. Growth, they get fat on land where cattle starve. Due to the rich milk they produce, calves will out gain cattle at weaning age. A buffalo cow will produce 20 to 30 calves in her lifetime.
Weight:
Weight at birth averages 80 pounds. We have had many weigh 98 to 114 pounds. At 6 months, it is not uncommon for a bull calf to weigh 700 pounds at weaning age and at one year weigh 950 pounds. At maturity a bull will weigh about 1500 to 2200 pounds. Cows weigh from 1200 to 1600 pounds.
Birth Cycle:
Through proper nutrition and management our cows calve every year after. In India they start producing at approximately 5 years and only calve every 3 to 4 years. Our heifers give birth at two or three and calve every year.
Breed:
Gestation is 10 1/2 months. Water buffalo do not breed with cattle or bison due to the different number of chromosomes. Lifespan of 25 to 35 years.
Behavior:
Unless wounded or severely stressed, the domesticated water buffalo is one of the gentlest
of all farm animals.
Adapt:
Water Buffalo adapt to a variety of climates from Russia, the Balkan countries, to Asia, Egypt, Americas and the Tropics.
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