The Morphometric Features of Azikheli Buffalo in Swat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

This study on physical and morphometric characteristics, productive and reproductive performance was carried out on Azikheli buffalos and bulls in Khwazakhela, District Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.Morphometric measurements included heart girth, body length, height at wither, height at hipbone, head region (face length, ear length and width), horn, neck, back, rump, legs and tail.Azikheli buffalos have significantly higher heart girth size, longer horns, longer neck and wider face at the level of eyes than bulls, on the other hand Azikheli buffalo have significantly longer bodies, longer ears, thick horns, thick neck and large hooves than buffalo.Tail of Azikheli buffalo and of bulls are above hock as cutting of switch is routine practice.Horns are flat laterally, directed backward and slightly upwards without twisting giving a sickle or semi-sickle appearance.