This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pair housing versus individual and group housing on behavioural
patterns of female buffalo calves (n = 18; 15.0±3.0 days of age) were assigned randomly to 1 of
3 treatments of group housing with (C1=one calf/pen, C2=two calves/pen, or C3= three calves/pen)
supplying a total pen space allowance of 1.82 m2 /calf, regardless of pen size. Behaviour was recorded
by direct observation throughout the day from 10:00 to 14:00 clock, during a single day each week for
12 weeks using scan sampling every 15 min within 4 hours’ observation sessions. Calves housed in C2
group showed more (P ≤ 0.05) eating and drinking, chewing/ruminating, object manipulation and self
grooming, lying activities, and less (P < 0.05) inactivity and standing when compared to calves housed
in C1 and C3 groups. In conclusion, raising buffalo calves in paired housing system provided calves
more opportunity to express their comfort, grooming, and feeding activities compared to individual
and group housing system, however further investigation is still required to study the effect of paired
housing system on the performance and physiological indicators in buffalo calves.