Vol. 13, Issue 3 (2024)

This is the first research done to study the influence of parity on performance of Mithun (Bos frontalis) cows during the transition period. A total of 25 mithun cows in advanced pregnant stage were studied during the transition period (14 days prepartum to 56 days postpartum) and until the next postpartum estrous. The animals were grouped based on their parity, i.e. 1 to > 3, and body condition was scored along with body weight on fortnightly days. Postpartum estrous was observed by parading a teaser bull after calving. Significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in the body condition score and body weight of different parities (1 to > 3). The results showed a decreasing trend in BCS after calving till stage VII. The study also found a significant difference (p<0.05) in mean body weight at stage I between different parities, with parity > 3 animals having significantly higher body weight than parities 1 and 2 at all stages. There was no significant difference in calf birth weight and subsequent growth rate. Additionally, the first postpartum interval to estrous days was found to be longer in primiparous cows than in multiparous cows. It was concluded that body condition score and body weight of Mithun cows were significantly influenced by parity, with higher parity animals having higher BCS and body weight however, it had no significant effect on calf growth rate. High parity had early first postpartum estrous days than cows with low parity.