References

• Badreldin, A.L., Ghany, M.A., 1954. Species and breed differences in the thermal reaction mechanism. J. Agr. Sci. 44:160–164.
   Google Scholar
• Bartussek, H., 2001. An historical account of the development of the animal needs index ANI-35L as part of the attempt to promote and regulate farm animal welfare in Austria: an example of the interaction between animal welfare science and society. Anim. Sci. 30(Suppl.):34–41.
   Google Scholar
• Bertoni, G., Calamari, L., Trevisi, E., 1999. Valutazione del benessere delle lattifere: sistema diagnostico integrato per la valutazione delle lattifere. Inform. Agr. 55(Suppl. 35):3–66.
   Google Scholar
• Botreau, R., Veissier, I., Butterworth, A., Bracke, M.B.M., Keeling, L.J., 2007. Definition of criteria for overall assessment of animal welfare. Anim. Welfare 16:225–228.
   Google Scholar
• Bracke, M.B.M., Spruijt, B.M., Metz, J.H.M., Schouten, W.G.P., 2002. Decision support system for overall welfare assessment in pregnant sows: a model structure and weighting procedure. J. Anim. Sci. 80:1819–1834.
   Google Scholar
• Breuer, K., Hemsworth, P.H., Barnett, J.L., Matthews, L.R., Coleman, G.J., 2000. Behavioural response to humans and the productivity of commercial dairy cows. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 66:273–288.
   Google Scholar
• Bruckmaier, R.M., 2005. Normal and disturbed milk ejection in dairy cows. Domest. Anim. Endocrinol. 29:268–273.
   Google Scholar
• Cammarano, A., Marino, A.L., 2003. Theoricalpractical course of phodology. Bubalus Bubalis 9(3):13–17.
   Google Scholar
• Campanile, G., 1998. Relationship between nutrition and reproduction in buffalo. pp 217–235 in Proc. 3rd Course on biotechnology of reproduction in buffaloes, Caserta, Italy.
   Google Scholar
• Campanile, G., De Filippo, C., Di Palo, R., Taccone, W., Zicarelli, L., 1998a. Influence of dietary protein on urea levels in blood and milk of buffalo cows. Livest. Prod. Sci. 55:135–143.
   Google Scholar
• Campanile, G., Di Palo, R., d’Angelo, A., 1998b. Haematological profile in buffalo. pp 236–249 in Proc. 3rd Course on biotechnology of reproduction in buffaloes, Caserta, Italy.
   Google Scholar
• Capdeville, J., Veissier, I., 2001. A method of assessing welfare in loose housed dairy cows at farm level, focusing on animal observations. Anim. Sci. 30(Suppl.):62–68.
   Google Scholar
• Dawkins, M.S., Donnelly, C.A., Jones, T.A., 2004. Chicken welfare is influenced more by housing conditions than by stocking density. Nature 427:342–344.
   Google Scholar
• De Rosa, G., Bordi, A., Napolitano, F., Bilancione, A., Grasso, F., 2007a. Effect of housing system on behavioural activity of lactating buffaloes. Ital. J. Anim. Sci. 6(Suppl.1):506–508.
   Google Scholar
• De Rosa, G., Napolitano, F., Grasso, F., Bilancione, A., Spadetta, M., Pacelli, C., Van Reenen, K., 2007b. Welfare Quality®: a pan-European integrating project including buffalo. Ital. J. Anim. Sci. 6(Suppl.2):1360–1363.
   Google Scholar
• De Rosa, G., Napolitano, F., Grasso, F., Bordi, A., Wemelsfelder, F., 2003a. The qualitative assessment of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) behaviour. Page 149 in Proc. 37th Int. Congr. ISAE, Abano Terme, Italy.
   Google Scholar
• De Rosa, G., Napolitano, F., Grasso, F., Pacelli, C., Bordi, A., 2005. On the development of a monitoring scheme of buffalo at farm level. Ital. J. Anim. Sci. 4:115–125.
   Google Scholar
• De Rosa, G., Tripaldi, C., Napolitano, F., Saltalamacchia, F., Grasso, F., Bisegna, V., Bordi, A., 2003b. Repeatability of some animal-related variables in dairy cows and buffaloes. Anim. Welfare 12:625–629.
   Google Scholar
• Di Lella, T., Infascelli, F., Cutrignelli, M.I., 1995. Rumen degradability and proteic value of feed utilized by buffaloes. Bubalus Bubalis 1(1):38–48.
   Google Scholar
• Di Francia, A., Masucci, F., De Rosa, G., Varricchio, M.L., Proto, V., 2008. Effects of Aspergillus oryzae extract and a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on intake, body weight gain and digestibility in buffalo calves. Anim. Feed Sci. Tech. 140:67–77.
   Google Scholar
• Di Palo, R., Midea, D., Campanile, G., Rossi, N., Zicarelli, L., 2001. Influence of management system on reproductive activity of dairy buffaloes during the hot season. pp 130–136 in Proc. 6th World Buffalo Congr., Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela.
   Google Scholar
• Evans, D.G., 1978. The interpretation and analysis of subjective body condition scores. Anim. Prod. 26:119–125.
   Google Scholar
• Faye, B., Barnouin, J., 1985. Objective assessment of the cleanliness of dairy cows and housing systems – the cleanliness index. Bull. Tech. CRVZ 59:61–67.
   Google Scholar
• Galindo, F., Broom, D.M., Jackson, P.G.G., 2000. A note on possible link between behaviour and the occurrence of lameness in dairy cows. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 67:335–341.
   Google Scholar
• Gillund, P., Reksen, O., Gröhn, Y.T., Karlberg, K., 2001. Body condition related to ketosis and reproductive performance in Norvegian dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 84:1390–1396.
   Google Scholar
• Grasso, F., De Rosa, G., Marsico, I., Napolitano, F., Migliori, G., Bordi, A., 2003. Welfare of buffalo heifers in relation to feeding and space allowance. Ital.J.Anim.Sci. 2(suppl.1):148–150.
   Google Scholar
• Grasso, F., Napolitano, F., De Rosa, G., Braghieri, A., Migliori, G., Bordi, A., 2004. Social hierarchy in unweaned buffalo calves. Page 147 in Proc. 55th Annual Meet. EAAP, Bled, Slovenia.
   Google Scholar
• Grasso, F., Napolitano, F., De Rosa, G., Migliori, G., Bordi, A., 2001. Valutazione dell’effetto del cromo sul benessere in vitelle bufaline. Zoot. Nutr. Anim. 27:55–63.
   Google Scholar
• Grasso, F., Napolitano, F., De Rosa, G., Quarantelli, T., Serpe, L., Bordi, A., 1999. Effect of pen size on behavioral, endocrine, and immune responses of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves. J. Anim. Sci. 77:2039–2046.
   Google Scholar
• Gustavsson, I., Villagomes, D.A.F., Chowdary, B.P., Makinen, A., Kunawongkrit, A., 1993. Meiotic chromosome behaviour in river x swamp buffalo hybrids. pp 41–42 in Proc. 8th North America Coll. on Domestic Animal Cytogenetics and Gene Mapping, Guelph, Canada.
   Google Scholar
• Hafez, E.S.E., Badreldin, A.L., Shafie, M.M., 1955. Skin structure of Egyptian buffaloes and cattle with particular reference to sweat glands. J. Agr. Sci. 46:19–30.
   Google Scholar
• Hemsworth, P.H., Coleman, G.J., 1998. Human-livestock interactions. The stockperson and the productivity and welfare of intensively farmed animals. CAB International ed.,Wallingford, UK.
   Google Scholar
• Hemsworth, P.H., Coleman, G.J., Barnett, J.L., Borg, S., 2000. Relationship between human animal interaction and productivity of commercial dairy cows. J. Anim. Sci. 78:2821–2831.
   Google Scholar
• Hemsworth, P.H., Coleman, G.J., Barnett, J.L., Borg, S., Dowling, S., 2002. The effects of cognitive behavioral intervention on the attitude and behavior of stockpersons and the behavior and productivity of commercial dairy cows. J. Anim. Sci. 80:68–78.
   Google Scholar
• Jalaludin, S., Ho, Y.W., Abdullah, N., Kudo., H., 1992. Rumen micro-organism of the water buffalo. Buffalo J. 8:211–220.
   Google Scholar
• Johnsen, P.F., Johannesson, T., Sandøe, P., 2001. Assessment of farm animal welfare at herd level: many goals, many methods. Anim. Sci. 30(Suppl.):26–33.
   Google Scholar
• Kennedy, P.M., 1995. Intake and digestion swamp buffaloes and cattle. 4. Particle size and buoyancy in relation to voluntary intake. J. Agr. Sci. 124:277–287.
   Google Scholar
• Leeb, C.H., Main, D.C.J., Whay, H.R., Webster, A.J.F., 2004. Bristol welfare assurance programme, Cattle assessment. University of Bristol. Home page address: http://www.vetschool.bris.ac.uk
   Google Scholar
• Lensink, J., Fernandez, X., Cozzi, G., Florand, L., Veissier, I., 2001. The influence of farmers’ behavior on calves’ reactions to transport and quality of veal meat. J. Anim. Sci. 79:642–652.
   Google Scholar
• Lowman, B.G., Scott, N., Sommerville, S., 1976. Condition scoring of cattle. Revised edition. Bulletin No. 6. East of Scotland College of Agriculture ed., Edinburgh, Scotland.
   Google Scholar
• Main, D.C.J., Whay, H.R., Leeb, C., Webster, A.J.F., 2007. Formal animal-based welfare assessment in UK cerification schemes. Anim. Welfare 16:233–236.
   Google Scholar
• Masucci , F., Di Francia, A., Proto, V., 1997. In vivo digestibility, rate of particulate passage and dry matter rumen degradability in buffaloes and sheep. pp. 296–301 in Proc. 5th World Buffalo Congr., Caserta, Italy.
   Google Scholar
• Metz, J.H.M., 1983. Food competition in cattle. In: S.H. Baxter, M.R. Baxter and J.A.C. MacCormack. (eds.) Farm Animal Housing and Welfare. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, pp 164–170.
   Google Scholar
• Morrow, D.A., 1976. Fat cow syndrome. J. Dairy Sci. 59:1625–1629.
   Google Scholar
• Murphey, R.M., Paranhos Da Costa, M.J.R., Gomes Da Silva, R., De Souza, R.C. 1995. Allonursing in river buffalo, Bubalus bubalis: nepotism, incompetence or thievery? Anim. Behav. 49:1611–1616.
   Google Scholar
• Napolitano, F., De Rosa, G., Braghieri, A., Grasso, F., Bordi, A., Wemelsfelder, F., 2008. The qualitative assessment of responsiveness to environmental challenge in horses and ponies. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci 109:342–354.
   Google Scholar
• Napolitano, F., De Rosa, G., Grasso, F., Pacelli, C., Bordi, A., 2004. Influence of space allowance on the welfare of weaned buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Livest. Prod. Sci. 86:117–124.
   Google Scholar
• Napolitano, F., Grasso, F., Bordi, A., Tripaldi, C., Pacelli, C., Saltalamacchia, F., De Rosa, G., 2005. On-farm welfare assessment in dairy cattle and buffaloes: evaluation of some animal-based parameters. Ital. J. Anim. Sci. 4:223–231.
   Google Scholar
• Napolitano, F., Grasso, F., Saltalamacchia, F., Martiniello, P., Bilancione, A., Pacelli, C., De Rosa, G., 2007. Grazing behaviour of buffalo heifers. Ital. J. Anim. Sci. 6(Suppl.2):1256–1259.
   Google Scholar
• Paranhos da Costa, M.J.R., Andriolo, A., Simplıcio de Oliveira, J.F., Schmidek, W.R., 2000. Suckling and allosuckling in river buffalo calves and its relation with weight gain. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 66:1–10.
   Google Scholar
• Redbo, I., 1990. Changes in duration and frequency of stereotypies and their adjoing behaviours in heifers bebore, during and after the grazing period. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 26:57–67.
   Google Scholar
• Redbo, I., Jacobsson, K.G., van Doorn, C., Pettersen, G., 1996. A note on the relationship between oral stereotypies in dairy cows and milk production, health and age. Anim. Prod. 54:166–168.
   Google Scholar
• Redbo, I., Nordblad, A., 1997. Stereotypies in heifers are affected by feeding regime. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 53:193–202.
   Google Scholar
• Rossi, P., Gastaldo, A., 2006. L’indice di benessere dell’allevamento. Inform. Zootec. 53(13):46–52.
   Google Scholar
• Rousing, T., Wemelsfelder, F., 2006. Social behaviour as a welfare indicator in loose housing system for dairy cows: a qualitative approach. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 101:40–53.
   Google Scholar
• Rushen, J., de Passillé, A.M., Munksgaard, L., 1999. Fear of people by cows and effects on milk yield, behaviour, and heart rate at milking. J. Dairy Sci. 82:720–727.
   Google Scholar
• Saltalamacchia, F., Tripaldi, C., Castellano, A., Napolitano, F., Musto, M., De Rosa, G., 2007. Human and animal behaviour in dairy buffalo at milking. Anim. Welfare 16:139–142.
   Google Scholar
• Sato, S., 1984. Social licking pattern and its rrelationships to social dominance and live weight gain in weaned calves. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 12:25–32.
   Google Scholar
• Seren, E., Parmeggiani, A., Zicarelli, L., Montemurro, N., Pacelli, C., Terzano, G.M., 1992. Periestrous endocrine changes in Italian buffaloes. pp. 393–396 in Proc. Int. Symp. on Prospects of buffalo production in the Mediterranean and the Middle Est, Cairo, Egypt.
   Google Scholar
• Sørensen, J.T., Sandøe, P., Halberg, N., 2001. Animal welfare as one among several values to be considered at farm level: the idea of an ethical account for livestock farming. Anim. Sci. 30(Suppl.):11–16.
   Google Scholar
• Sprecher, D.J., Hostetler, D.E., Kanneene, J.B., 1997. A lameness scoring system that uses posture and gait to predict dairy cattle reproductive performance. Theriogenology 47:1179–1187.
   Google Scholar
• Sundrum, A., 2001. Organic livestock farming: A critical review. Livest. Prod. Sci. 67:207–215.
   Google Scholar
• Thomas, C.S., 2005. Machine milking buffaloes. Bubalus Bubalis 11(3):25–29.
   Google Scholar
• Thomas, C.S., Nordstrom, J., Svennersten-Sjaunja, K., Wiktorsson, H., 2005. Maintenance and milking behaviours of Murrah buffaloes during two feeding regimes. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 91:261–276.
   Google Scholar
• Tosi, M.V., Canali, E., Gregoretti, L., Ferrante, V., Rusconi, C., Verga, M., Carenzi, C., 2001. A descriptive analysis on welfare indicators measured in Italian dairy farms: preliminary results. Anim. Sci. 30(Suppl.):69–72.
   Google Scholar
• Tosi, M.V., Canali, E., Mattiello, S., Ferrante, V., Carenzi, C., Verga, M., 2003. Il benessere dei suini e delle bovine da latte: punti critici e valutazione in allevamento. Fondaz. Iniziative Zooprof. Zoot. Ed., Brescia, Italy.
   Google Scholar
• Tripaldi, C., De Rosa, G., Grasso, F., Terzano, G.M., Napolitano, F., 2004. Housing system and welfare of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) cows. Anim. Sci. 78:477–483.
   Google Scholar
• Waiblinger, S., Menke, C., Coleman, G., 2002. The relationship between attitudes, personal characteristics and behaviour of stockpeople and subsequent behaviour and production of dairy cows. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 79:195–219.
   Google Scholar
• Waiblinger, S., Menke, C., Fölsch, D.W., 2003. Influences on the avoidance and approach behaviour of dairy cows towards humans on 35 farms. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 84:23–39.
   Google Scholar
• Wasilewski, A., 2003. Friendship in ungulates? Sociopositive relationships between non-related herd members of the same species. Degree Diss., Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Germany.
   Google Scholar
• Wechsler, B., Schaub, J., Friedli, K., Hauser, R., 2000. Behaviour and leg injuries in dairy cows kept in cubicle systems with straw bedding or soft lying mats. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 69:189–197.
   Google Scholar
• Wemelsfelder, F., Hunter, T.E.A., Mendl, M.T., Lawrence, A.B., 2001. Assessing the whole animal: a free choice profiling approach. Anim. Behav. 62:209–220.
   Google Scholar
• Wemelsfelder, F., Millard, F., De Rosa, G., Napolitano, F., 2006. Qualitative indicators for the on-farm monitoring of cattle welfare. EU-project Welfare Quality®. Home page address: http://www.welfarequality.net
   Google Scholar
• Whay, H.R., Main, D.C.J., Green, L.E., Webster, A.J.F., 2003. Assessment of the welfare of dairy cattle using animal-based measurements: direct observations and investigation of farm records. Vet. Rec. 153:197–202.
   Google Scholar
• Winckler, C., Buehnemann, A., Seidel, K., 2002. Social behaviour of commercial dairy herds as a parameter for on-farm welfare assessment. Page 86 in Proc. 36th Int. Congr. ISAE, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
   Google Scholar
• Winckler, C., Capdeville, J., Gebresenbet, G., Hörning, B., Roiha, U., Tosi, M., Waiblinger, S., 2003. Selection of parameters of on-farm welfare-assessment protocols in cattle and buffalo. Anim. Welfare 12:619–624.
   Google Scholar
• Winckler, C., Willen, S., 2001. The reliability and repeatability of a lameness scoring system for use as an indicator of welfare in dairy cattle. Anim. Sci. 30(Suppl.):103–107.
   Google Scholar
• Wood, M.T., 1977. Social grooming patterns in two herds of monozygotic twin dairy cows. Anim. Behav. 25:635–642.
   Google Scholar
• Zicarelli, L., 1994. Management in different environmental conditions. Buffalo J. 2:17–38.
   Google Scholar
• Zicarelli, L., 1997. Reproductive seasonality in buffalo. pp 29–52 in Proc. 3rd Course on biotechnology of reproduction in buffaloes, Caserta, Italy.
   Google Scholar
• Zicarelli, L., 2000. Considerations about the prophylaxis of the uterine and vaginal prolapse in Italian Mediterranean buffalo cows. Bubalus Bubalis 6(3):71–90.
   Google Scholar
• Zicarelli, F., Campanile, G., Gasparrini, B., Di Palo, R., Zicarelli, L., 2005. Influenza del periodo e dello spazio sulla produzione lattea e sul consumo di sostanza secca nella bufala mediterranea italiana. pp 75–76 in Proc. 3rd Nat. Congr. buffalo management, Paestum, Italy.
   Google Scholar
• Zicarelli, L., Campanile, G., Seren, E., Borghese, A., Parmeggiani, A., Barile, V.L., 1992. Periestrous endocrine changes in Italian buffaloes with silent oestrus or ovarian disorders. pp. 397–400 in Proc. Int. Symp. on Prospects of Buffalo production in the Mediterranean and the Middle Est, Cairo, Egypt.
   Google Scholar
• Zicarelli, L., Midea, D., Piccolo, G., Di Palo, R., Neglia, G., Campanile, G., 2001. Influenza della presenza di una vasca con acqua e fertilità nella bufala. pp 327–331 in Proc. 1st Nat. Congr. on Buffalo management, Eboli, Italy.
   Google Scholar