Scientific Classification | - Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Bovidae
- Genus: Bubalus
- Species: Bubalus bubalis
- Common Name: Jaffarabadi Buffalo
|
---|
Breed Type | Dual-purpose (Milk and Draught) |
---|
Synonyms | Bhavanagri, Gir, Jaffari |
---|
Origin | Named after the town of Jaffarabad, Gujarat. |
---|
Distribution | - State: Gujarat
- Districts: Amreli, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Rajkot, Porbandar
|
---|
Geographical Range | - Longitude: 70° – 72°
- Latitude: 20°5′ – 22°6′
|
---|
Main Use | Milk, Draught, and Transport |
---|
Breed Registry | No |
---|
Breed Society | No |
---|
Adaptability | Known for its ability to fight lions in Gir forest. |
---|
Physical Characteristics | - Color: Black, but some animals have a white or grey tail switch.
- Horns: Two, long, and exhibit a wide variation in shape. They typically emerge out, compressing the head, then curve downward sideways, then upward and inward, forming a ring-like structure.
- Distinct Features: The peculiar horn shape makes the eyes look small, especially in males, a feature called “study eye”.
|
---|
Average Body Measurements | - Male: Height: 143 cm, Body Length: 147 cm, Heart Girth: 218 cm, Weight: 700 kg
- Female: Height: 139 cm, Body Length: 157 cm, Heart Girth: 223 cm, Weight: 620 kg
|
---|
Birth Weight | Male: 35 kg, Female: 34 kg |
---|
Management System | Semi-intensive and some extensive |
---|
Mobility | Stationary |
---|
Feeding Pattern | Grazing, Fodder, and Concentrate |
---|
Management Conditions | - Most farmers provide housing to the animals during the day and night. Animal houses are closed, kutcha, and separate from the farmers’ residence.
- In forest areas, the Maldharis keep their animals in “Nesdas,” which are heavily barricaded in front to protect them from lions and other wild animals.
- A common practice is to mix “Chhachh” (buttermilk) in drinking water to prevent the animals from drinking plain water from other sources.
- Animals are heavy grazers and are maintained on natural pastures throughout the year.
|
---|
Milk Production | - Per Lactation: 2239 kg (Range: 2150 – 2340 kg)
- Milk Fat Content: 7.68% (Range: 6.8 – 8.5%)
|
---|
Reproductive Performance | - Age at First Parturition: 45 months (Range: 41 – 55 months)
- Parturition Interval: 14.6 months
|
---|
Breed Peculiarity | Jaffarabadi is the heaviest of all Indian buffalo breeds. |
---|
Population | - 1997: 1,096,636 (Source: Final Report, Network Project on Jaffarabadi Buffaloes, GAU, Junagadh, Gujarat)
- 2013: 571,077 (Source: Breed Survey 2013, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Govt. of India)
|
---|
|