The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of increasing cooling sessions from three to five times a day on milk yield and the welfare of dairy buffaloes during a semiarid summer in Pakistan. Eighteen Nili Ravi buffaloes were randomly assigned to three cooling strategies: (1) CTL, where buffaloes were cooled with a handheld hosepipe twice daily for 5 min each; (2) 3CS, where buffaloes were cooled using sprinklers three times daily; and (3) 5CS, where buffaloes were cooled using sprinklers five times daily. Each sprinkler cooling session lasted 1 h, with a 6 min cycle of 3 min of water on and 3 min off. Results showed that the 5CS group produced 1.6 and 3.2 kg more milk per day compared to the 3CS and CTL groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Both the 5CS and 3CS groups had consistently lower core body temperatures and respiration rates than the CTL group. Buffaloes in the 5CS group spent significantly more time eating (p < 0.001). Additionally, the 5CS group exhibited lower cortisol and blood urea nitrogen levels (p = 0.001) and higher glucose levels than the CTL group (p = 0.006). In conclusion, increasing cooling sessions to five times daily improved milk yield and welfare compared to the traditional cooling strategy (CTL) in dairy buffaloes during semiarid summers, highlighting the benefits of optimized cooling practices.

Aim of study was to evaluate the effects of Nigella sativa seeds (NSS) supplementation on growth performance, digestibility and selected blood metabolites of male Beetal goats. Fifteen male Beetal goats were randomly divided into three groups A, B and C according to Completely Randomized Design. Group A male Beetal goats served as control and fed basal diet only whilst group B and C male Beetal goats were fed separately 5 and 10 g NSS respectively in form of total mixed ration having a crude protein 15.6% and ME 2.63 Mcal /kg, along with the basal diet for a period of sixty days. Data were statistically analyzed through one-way ANOVA followed by least significant difference test. Average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (FE) and dry matter intake (DMI) were affected by NSS. Male Beetal goats fed C and B (NSS based diet) had greater ADG and FE than the male Beetal goats fed A (control diet). Male Beetal goats fed C had greater DMI than the male Beetal goats fed A. Total tract DM, CF and CP digestibility were also affected by NSS. Male Beetal goats fed C and B had greater DM and CP digestibility than the male Beetal goats fed A. For CF, male Beetal goats fed C had greater digestibility than the male Beetal goats fed A. Blood plasma cholesterol and triglyceride were both affected by NSS. Male Beetal goats fed B and C had lesser plasma cholesterol and triglyceride than the Male Beetal goats fed A. In conclusion, 10 g NSS can be used in male Beetal goats’ diet to improve their growth performance and digestibility. Keywords: Digestibility, Male Beetal goats, Nigella sativa seeds, Growth