How long should a dietary change, like switching pasture, be implemented gradually?
Answer
7 to 10 days
Water buffalo are highly susceptible to digestive upsets if dietary changes are introduced too abruptly. A fundamental management guideline dictates that any transition, whether involving a new supplement or a shift in pasture type (e.g., from dry hay to wet spring grass), must be implemented gradually. This transition period should span 7 to 10 days, during which the old feed is blended with the new feed. This slow introduction is critical because the microflora within the rumen requires adequate time to adapt to variations in protein levels and moisture content associated with the new feed source, preventing issues like severe diarrhea or bloat.
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