DECREASE OF HEAT SIGNS IN CATTLE HERDS CONTINUOUSLY BRED THROUGH ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

Abstract

Behavioural signs of heat shown by cross bred cattle managed in farms, urban households and rural areas were compared to find out the variations in heat signs between these management situations as well as from the past. Heat signs shown by 129 animals were studied through direct observation during heat and also by enquiring to the owner. It was found that under farm management, all the animals were detected in heat based on mucous discharge from the genital tract, while behavioural signs were less compared to animals in households. In rural households, bellowing was the main criterion (100%) for the detection of oestrus and other behavioural signs were also more than that shown by the animals in farms.