Respons Fisiologis Kerbau Lumpur (Bubalus bubalis) pada Sistem Pemeliharaan Berbeda

Zulfarobbina Wasimatulqulub (Department of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia)
Bramada Winiar Putra (Department of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia)
Rudy Priyanto (Department of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia)

Jurnal Sain Peternakan Indonesia
Vol 21 No 3 (2026)

Different buffalo management systems create distinct microclimatic conditions that may influence physiological responses and heat stress adaptation. This study evaluated the physiological responses of swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) raised under intensive and semi-intensive management systems in Pemalang Regency, Central Java. A total of 96 buffaloes were observed, and environmental parameters were used to calculate the Temperature Humidity Index (THI). Physiological measurements included respiration rate, rectal temperature, and heat tolerance coefficient (HTC). Data were analyzed using a split-plot, time-based design. Results showed that the semi-intensive system had significantly higher (P<0.05) THI values, particularly at midday, than the intensive system. Respiration rate, rectal temperature, and HTC were also significantly affected by management system and observation time (P<0.05), with higher values generally observed in the semi-intensive system. The highest responses occurred at midday; however, all physiological parameters remained within normal ranges. In conclusion, buffalo under intensive management showed relatively better physiological responses, although both systems remained within adaptive tolerance limits.