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ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON CHARACTERIZATION AND PERFORMANCE OF VIZIANAGARAM SHEEP OF NORTH COASTAL ANDHRA PRADESH(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2010-04) GANGARAJU, GOLLAMOORI; SARJAN RAO, K(MAJOR); JAGADEESWARA RAO, S; RAGHUNANDAN, T; GNANA PRAKASH, MABSTRACT: A study was undertaken on the a) distribution of local Vizianagaram sheep b) biometric and morphological characters of the breed c) productive and reproductive performance of the breed and d) managemental practices being followed by farmers of Vizianagaram breeding tract in north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh comprising of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts. Based on nlultistage stratified random sampling technique, the study was carried out in 7 mandals each from every district and from each mandal 7 villages were selected. From each village 2-3 sheep farmers maintained local Vizianagaram sheep with an average flock size of 60-75 were selected for the study resulted in a sample size of 775. 1244 and 153 Vizianagaram sheep from Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts. The data recorded from farmers flocks were compared with the data of LRS, Garividi. The chest girth, body length and keight at withers (cm) were 35.2w0.33, 29.46M.37 and 40.3M.32 for ram lambs of below 1 year and 73.0W0.71. 60.91*0.82 and 68.84*0.62 for rams of 10-12 months. respectively. Significant (PThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON THE INFLUENCE OF UDDER MORPHOLOGY, METHOD OF MILKING AND HOUSING SYSTEMS ON MILKING CHARACTERISTICS, UDDER HEALTH AND BEHAVIOUR OF MURRAH BUFFALOES(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2009-05) Maruthivara Prasad, R; Sudhakar, K(MAJOR); Raghava Rao, E; Ramesh Gupta, B; Mahendar, MABSTRACT: An investigation was undertaken to study the influence of udder morphology, method of milking and housing systems on the milk yield, udder health and behaviour in Murrah buffaloes. In this study Murrah buffaloes maintained at the Buffalo Research Station, Venkataramannagudem, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University and in the field were utilized. A total of 200 buffaloes were considered to study the udder and teat morphology with 100 buffaloes each from research station and field. The individual behavioural responses of Murrah buffaloes in different lactations and effect of method of milking on teat condition, milk flow traits, udder health and milk composition was also studied. A comparative study on the milk yield and the maintenance behaviour was also studied in two different housing systems viz., conventional tie stall and loose housing. The results showed that among the different udder shapes, the bowl shapes were very common followed by globular, pendulous and goaty shapes and their occurrences were 61.0 %, 17.0 %, 13.0 % and 9.0 %, respectively, and the occurrence of cylindrical teats was maximum with a percentage of 52.5 followed by pear, bottle, conical and funnel type of teats with 18.0, 11.0, 10.5 and 8.0% respectively. The mean length, width and depth of the udder in different lactations ranged from 52.21 ± 0.61 to 55.71 ± 0.59, 48.61 ± 0.60 to 53.87 ± 0.70 and 15.46 ± 0.17 to 15.78 ± 0.18 cm, respectively. Positive and significant correlations were observed among all the udder measurements. The average length of left fore, right fore, left hind and right hind teats were 7.37 ± 0.15, 7.53 ± 0.16, 8.23 ± 0.18 and 8.12 ± 0.17 cm, respectively, and the mean diameters in the same order were 2.65 ± 0.02, 2.71 ± 0.03, 2.80 ± 0.03 and 2.89 ± 0.04 cm. The average daily milk yield in Murrah buffaloes with various udder shapes observed was 6.41 ± 0.33, 5.91 ± 0.26, 5.61 ± 0.32 and 6.31 ± 0.16 Kg in bowl, globular, goaty and pendulous type of udders, respectively. It was found that the average daily milk yield in buffaloes with cylindrical shaped teats was highest followed by bottle, funnel, pear and conical shaped teats. Out of the total buffaloes, the occurrence of different temperaments were 53.5, 16.0, 15.5, 9.5 and 5.5 percent for docile, slightly restless, restless, aggressive and nervous temperaments, respectively and neither the udder shape nor the teat shape affected the temperament of the buffaloes. It was observed that the restless and slightly restless buffaloes were more frequent in primiparous buffaloes (35.18 and 33.33 %, respectively) followed by docile (24.07 %), aggressive and nervous type (3.7% each). In the buffaloes under second, third and fourth lactations, docile buffaloes were more frequent (73.33, 57.40 and 59.37 %, respectively) when compared to other temperaments. It was observed that kicking (16.4 %), urination (4.8 %) and vocalization (4.4 %) were more frequent in machine milked buffaloes where as the stepping (46.8%) and defecation (2.4%) were more frequent in hand milked buffaloes. However, forceful throwing of head behaviour was equally frequent in both methods of milking (12 %). The machine milked buffaloes had a better teat condition score in the present study. The percentage of machine milked buffaloes with the teat condition of smooth skin (1.0), slight drying of the skin (1.5), dried skin (2.0), dry skin with cracks (2.5) and cracks with chaps (3.0) were 34, 17, 30, 13 and 6 %, respectively, whereas the number of buffaloes in the same order under hand milking were16, 2, 52, 27 and 3 %, respectively. The average evening milk yield of buffaloes under machine and hand milking was 3.62 ± 0.08 kg and 3.51± 0.08 kg, respectively. The mean percentages of milk fat, SNF and total solids under machine and hand milking were 6.01± 0.08 vs 6.57 ± 0.09, 9.19 ± 0.10 vs 8.79 ± 0.10 and 14.80 ± 0.13 vs 15.36 ± 0.13 %, respectively. The stripping time and the total milking time were higher in hand milking while the strip yield and average flow rate were higher in machine milking. In the present study, it was found that there was no significant difference in the somatic cell count of buffalo milk under machine and hand milking. The milk yield in the present study was higher in loose housing (8.12 ± 0.02 Kg) when compared to conventional housing (7.77 ± 0.02 Kg). The cleanliness score was higher in loose housing system (2.80 ± 0.05) compared to that of conventional housing (2.41 ± 0.05). More number of buffaloes had shown the lameness in the conventional system of housing. Out of 12 buffaloes observed for behavioural patterns, 36.48, 62.95, 44.90, 25.05 and 26.10 percent were found lying, standing, feeding idling and ruminating, respectively under conventional housing system while 47.29, 50.24, 37.91, 36.29 and 26.10 percent were observed for same behavioural patterns under loose housing system and the differences between the two housing systems were found to be statistically significant for lying, standing and idling behaviours.ThesisItem Open Access PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE AND IMMUNOCOMPETENCE OF COLOUR LAYER BIRDS WITH 25% NATIVE INHERITANCE UNDER BACKYARD AND DIFFERENT SYSTEMS OF MANAGEMENT(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2008-11) CHINNI PREETAM, VELUPULA; QUDRATULLAH, S(MAJOR); RAVINDER REDDY, V; RAJASHEKHAR REDDY, A; RAMAKOTI REDDY, M; NAGALAKSHMI, DABSTRACT: A study was conducted to evaluate the growth and production performance, economics of rearing and immune competence of 4-breed backcross layer type coloured female birds with 25% native inheritance, developed at Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University. Five hundred day-old chicks were reared up to 6 weeks of age under intensive system at the Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad and the data on parameters of economic importance like body weight, feed consumption, FCR, livability and carcass yields, besides immunological parameters were collected. At 7 weeks of age, four hundred female birds were selected and distributed into 5 treatment groups having 4 replicates of 20 birds each with similar body weights. The first group was fed grower mash ad lib. and reared under intensive system to serve as control (T1), while T2 and T3 groups were offered 20 and 40% of ad lib. feed, respectively and maintained under semi intensive system. The remaining two treatment groups were reared under extensive system (scavenging), T4 at farm and T5 in an adopted village of the Krishi Vigana Kendra (KVK), Central Research Institute on Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad. All parameters of economic importance during grower and layer phases were studied. Males were introduced at 40 weeks of age to study the treatments effect on fertility and hatchability. Economics were worked out for the cost of rearing the test birds up to pullet age and to determine profits during laying phase from 20 – 60 weeks of age. Another experiment was conducted separately to evaluate the immune competence of 4-breed backcross layer bird together with the parent stocks involved in its genesis. The results of chick phase indicated that the mean 6-week body weight of 4-breed backcross layer type birds with 25% native inheritance was 266.9 g, while cumulative feed intake was 863.7 g with an FCR of 3.33. The mean livability was 99.6 %. The dressed, eviscerated and ready to cook yields were 80.2, 68.7 and 67.7%, respectively. During growth phase (7-20 weeks of age), ad lib. fed birds (control) recorded significantly (P < 0.05) the highest body weight (1361.6 g) than 40% ad lib fed birds (1083.7 g), while significantly the least weight was recorded in rest of the treatments, 938.28 g in 20% ad lib group, and 901.6 & 866.6 g under scavenging on farm and in farmers back yard, respectively. The feed intake was significantly (P<0.05) the highest in control (94.0 g) followed by 40% and 20% ad lib groups (21.9 and 35.2 g/bird/d, respectively) with the corresponding FCR of 3.32 and 4.28. The livability was 93.8, 87.5 and 90% in control, 20 and 40% ad lib. groups, respectively. The age at first egg (AFE) was significantly (P< 0.05) better with ad lib. fed group (146.5 d) followed by scavenging groups (176.4 and 171.5 d in T4 and T5, respectively) and 40 and 20% ad lib. groups (188 and 184.5 d, respectively), all values being significantly (P< 0.05) inferior to control. Thus AFE increased with decreasing feed intake and was better under intensive system than semi intensive or scavenger system. Similar trend was observed for age at 50% production. The mean percent hen day production over 10 laying periods of 28 d each differed significantly (P<0.05) from each other, with the best being recorded in ad lib. group (54.1%) and the least in 20 and 40% ad lib groups. Scavenging in farmers’ backyard gave 35.8% hen day production, whereas at farm it was 32.5%. The mean feed intake was significantly higher in ad lib group (94.0 g/b/d) followed by 40% ad lib (45.5 g/b/d) and 70% ad lib (26.7 g/b/d) groups, all values being significantly different from each other. The FCR was significantly better (2.14 and 2.29) with ad lib and 20% ad lib feeding than 40% ad lib feeding (3.09). The mean egg weights ranged between 50.4 and 53.9 g. The egg quality parameters like Haugh Unit score, albumen Index, shell percent and shell thickness were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by treatment groups, but did not show any specific trend. Yolk index was not influenced, while yolk colour was significantly (P< 0.05) better under both the scavenging systems. Overall livability was significantly better with intensive system (**) and least with scavenging system, especially at farmers backyard, where half of the mortality was due to predators. Fertility ranged between 88.4 and 94.9 %, while the hatchability ranged between 80.9 and 88.9% and 90. 9 and 93.8 % for total eggs set and fertile eggs set, respectively. At 8 weeks of age, humoral immune response to SRBC and ND vaccine were 8.3 and 6.8 log2 titers, respectively, while CMI response to PHA-P was 0.46. During 20 weeks of age, significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in treatment groups for immune response to ND vaccine, which was high to medium (10.1 to 9.3) in all groups maintained at farm, the highest being in control group (10.1) and the values for scavenging at farmers backyard were constantly low at 20 weeks (8.1) and 40 weeks (6.1) of age, but were above protective levels. There were no significant differences in SRBC titers at 20 and 40 weeks of age and CMI response to PHA-P indicating system of management did not effect the immune response to SRBC and PHA-P. The results of the immunity trial on back cross and its parent stock indicated that the immune response to SRBC, PHA-P and ND vaccine were high in NDN bird, whereas the immunity of 4-breed back cross was comparable with all other genotypes. The mass of spleen and bursa was directly proportional to immune competence in chickens. Significant differences were observed in lymphoid organ weight. The relative spleen weight of 4-breed back cross was similar to that of all other genotypes, except DR and 2-breed cross. The relative weight of bursa in 4-breed back cross bird was similar to that of WLH, DR, 3BC and 4BC. (INDICATE THE FULL FORM OF THESE GENOTYPES) MENTION ECONOMICS ALSOThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF FEEDINC; SHEANUT CAKE (VITELLARIA PARADOXA) BASED COMPLETE DIETS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF GRADED MURRAH BUFFALOES(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2008-11) KISHAN KUMAR, M; SUDHAKAR, K(MAJOR); MAHENDER, M; RAMESH GUPTA, B; VIROJI RAO, S.CABSTRACT: Two complete diets were formulated using palm press fibre (20% & 15%) and chopped jowar straw (20% & 25%) as roughage source and sheanut cake (18.5% & 28%) along with locally available concentrate ingredients with roughage concentrate ratio of 4050 and processed into mash (R 11 ) and (R 111). These two diets were compared with conventional ration (R I) containing chopped jowar straw. green jo~arfo dder and concentrate mixture fed separately to study their effect on nutrient digestibilit). quantit? and qualit! of milk. cost of production. eating and rumination behaviour in lactating graded Murrah buffaloes The same rations were also fed to growing graded Murrah buffalo c.nl\rs to >tud> the cfTcct of three ration\ on nutrient util~zat~on, growth rate. feed con\*er lactating buffaloes were comparable mony the rations R I. RII and R Ill. The J;gestibilit> coefficients of dq matter. organic matter, crude protein. and ether estract and nitrogen free estract were significantly (P< 0.01) higher. where as crude fibre and NDF (P K 11 (474.00 g) and R 1 (11 5.67 g). The DM1 per kg weight gain was non significant in dicth K 111 (8.50) and K 11 (9.15) uhen compared to R 1 (9.61). The cost of feed per Lg weight gain \\as comparable among three dict. The buffalo calves on diet 111 recorded higher growth rate and consumed less feed pcr kg gain resulting in superior FCR than other two diets (R I and R 11). Rumcn liquor pH decreased (P<0.01). where as ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and total volatile fat5 acids (TVFA) concentration increased (PC 0.01) in complete diets (R II and R 111) when compared with conventional diet (R I). Time of sampling had a significant (P 0.01) effect on NHJ-N and TVFA concentrations. which peaked at 3 h post feeding irrespective of experimental rations. Eating and rumination hchaviour indicated that eating time. rumination time. rumination period and chewing time were significantl? (P4.01) higher. wherc as resting time uas loser on conventional diet (K I ) u hen ccrmparcd \r it11 coniplcte dicts (K II and R Ill) in b~thla ctating buffaloes and calves rumination tirnc. I'he pcrccnt elf time spent for rumination and chelving time were significantly (PThesisItem Open Access Effect Of Supplementation Of Urea Molasses Mineral Blocks (UMMB) On Nutrient Utilisation, Growth Rate And Milk Production In Dairy Animals(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2000-07) Sudhakar, Kaza; Krishna Reddy, G.V(MAJOR); Krishna, N; Narasimha Rao, G; Ranganadham, M; Satyanarayana, AThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON ENDOSULFAN RESIDUES IN MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS OBTAINED FROM DIFFERENT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS(Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, TIRUPATI – 517 502,A.P, 2010-07) SURESH BABU, DASINENI; SARJAN RAO, K (Major) MURTHY, P.R.S; SANKAR REDDY, I; SURESH, JABSTRACT : A study was carried out on Endosulfan pesticide residues in milk and milk products obtained from four different production systems existing in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The study area was selected based on a Stratified Random Sampling Technique. The study group comprises 4 mandals x 5 villages x 5 farmers = 100 farmers sample size. Farmers selected were representing the production systems under study and the information was collected using pretested questionnaire by personal interview and observation. The information about cropping pattern, reasons for the usage pattern of Endosulfan, economic advantage, feeding pattern and animal husbandry status was derived by using the questionnaire and personal interview. 24 milk samples (4x6, RBD) and 40 (4x10, RBD) milk product samples of four varieties and another 36 (6x6, RBD) Endoslulfan fortified milk samples were analysed for the residues of Endosulfan by Gas Chromatography equipped with Electron Capture Detector system using multiresidue method. Apart from that 24 (4x6, RBD) milk samples were analysed for their chemical composition with Lactan-1-4 equipment. The milk samples were collected from small holders production system, organized dairy farms, cooperative societies and commercial dairy plants and collection system. The samples were collected at two months interval over a period of one year and analyzed for Endosulfan residues. 10 samples each of paneer, ghee, curd and doodh peda (4x10, RBD) were analysed for the residues of Endosulfan. 24 pooled milk samples (4x6, RBD) were collected and fortified with Endosulfan 35% EC at the rate of 0.04mg per kg level for heat treatments namely Thermization, Pasteurization, Boiling and Sterilization. Besides 6 positive control samples 6 negative control samples were also analysed for Endosulfan residues. The cattle population in the mandals studied ranged from 8652 to 15953 contributing 0.78 and 1.4 per cent of district population and buffalo population ranged from 419 to 10206 and the per cent contribution to the district was 0.31 and 7.5 respectively. The cattle and buffalo population in the Chittoor district was 1104349 and 134759 respectively. All the four production systems were functioning in the district .There were 54 bulk milk cooling units and 28 private dairy plants existing in the district. Among the food crops, paddy was cultivated to the highest extent. The total area under paddy cultivation in the study mandals ranged from 2.9 to 42.2 per cent while in the Chittoor district it was 5.0 to 35.3 per cent. Among fruits, vegetables and pulses, sugarcane and mango were cultivated to a considerable extent. The per cent area cultivation of sugarcane in the study mandals ranged from 4.2 to 19.7 and in the Chittoor district it was 9.8 to 20.6 per cent. The per cent area cultivation of mango in the mandals studied and in the Chittoor district ranged from 2.0 to 19.2 and 0.2 to 17. Among non-food crops, groundnut was predominating in the mandals studied and in the Chittoor district. The per cent area under groundnut cultivation in the mandals studied ranged from 38.1 to 66.1 and in Chittoor district it ranged from 19.6 to 48.0. Endosulfan was sprayed in all the food as well as non food crops to control pests and to increase crop yields. The economic advantage derived by using Endosulfan was ranging from 25 to 100 per cent. 76 to 88 per cent of the respondent farmers in the study were spraying Endosulfan at the rate of 300 ml or 140 gai per acre and most of the farmers were spraying two times (88-92 per cent). All the farmers in the study area were feeding crop residues, concentrates, green fodder and also allowing the animals for grazing. 60-72 per cent of the farmers were maintaining upto 3 dairy animals mostly crossbred cows and 68-80 per cent were possessing less than 2 hectares of land.72-80 per cent of the farmers were producing upto 30 litres of milk per day and 88-92 per cent were disposing milk to collection centres of cooperative societies and private dairy plants. The chemical constituents were significantly (P<0.01) different among different production systems. The mean fat per cent of milk from the four production systems ranged from 4.088±0.0457 (small holder production system) to 4.44±0.0642 (commercial dairy plants and collection system). The mean solids not fat (SNF) per cent of milk from the four production systems ranged from 7.62±0.159 (small holder production system) to 7.948±0.0392 (organized dairy farms).The mean protein per cent of the milk analysed from different production systems ranged from 2.88±0.0044 (small holders production system) to 2.98±0.0122 per cent (organized dairy farms).The density as indicated by mean lactometer reading of milk obtained from four production systems ranged from 25.38±0.0450 (commercial dairy plants and collection system) to 26.743±0.0071 (organized dairy farms).The mean freezing point in the present study ranged from -0.495 ± 0.94 (cooperative societies) to -0.529 ± 0.94 (small holder production system) The mean added water per cent in the present study ranged from 5.0±0.683 (organized dairy farms) to 9.0±0.258 (small holder production system) The results on the study of pesticide residues in milk and milk products showed that there was no contamination with Endosulfan. The level of Endosulfan was Below Detectable Limits (BDL) of less than 0.0003 ppm in comparison to MRLs for Endosulfan, it was 0.004 ppm on milk basis and 0.1ppm on 4% fat basis. The mean quantity recovery of Endosulfan from milk samples subjected for Thermization, Pasteurization, Boiling and Sterilization were 0.0043±0.00004, 0.0038±0.00004, 0.0025±0.00004 and 0.0023±0.00004 respectively. While the recovery from positive and negative controls were 0.0330±0.00007 and Nil, respectively and the percent recovery was 10.90±0.096, 9.62±0.096, 6.25±0.134 and 5.84±0.094, respectively where as in the positive control it was 82.5±1.82. No traces of Endosulfan were found in the negative control. Among the different methods of heat treatment, sterilization was the most effective followed by boiling and pasteurization. The least effective method was thermization. There was a significant (P<0.01) variation observed for the mean quantity recovery and per cent recovery of Endosulfan residues among different heat treatment methods under evaluation.ThesisItem Open Access ANALYSIS OF SHEEP PRODUCTION SYSTEMS OF NORTH COASTAL ZONE OF ANDHRA PRADESH(Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, TIRUPATI – 517 502,A.P, 2010-05) ANANDA RAO, K; SARJAN RAO, K (Major); JAGADEESWARA RAO, S; VENUGOPAL NAIDU, K; RAVI, AABSTRACT : In the present study a detailed survey was conducted to analyse the sheep production systems of North Coastal Zone of Andhra Pradesh. The study was conducted on 960 sheep farmers, 320 each from Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts using stratified random sampling techniques (3 districts x 2 divisions x 4 mandals x 4 villages x 10 farmers = 960). The socio economic status of sheep farmers revealed that agriculture (69.06%) was main occupation supported by animal husbandry (23.23%), Hindus (95.33%) were the main religion followed by Christians (4.67%) and most of them belongs to backward community (75.31%), followed by scheduled castes (8.96%) other castes (8.65%) and scheduled tribes (7.08%). Majority of the farmers were illiterates belongs to nuclear family type (78.44%) and were in middle age group (53.23%), followed by old age (31.15%). Significant (P<0.01) difference was observed among the above parameters within the districts except for religion, literacy level and age groups. Among the total farmers 31.14 per cent reared cattle, goat and poultry along with sheep flocks whereas 9.37 per cent reared sheep alone. Majority (71.04%) of the farmers had annual income of Rs.1878.92 in the North Coastal Zone. About half (47.29%) of the shepherd 11-10 years of experience in sheep farming. Majority (60.10%) shepherds were marginal farmers and landless farmers were also taken up the sheep farming as main occupation. The mean total land holding (acres) was 1.88±0.08 in the zone. Significant (P<0.01) differences were observed among the above parameters and within districts. The majority of sheep farmers (72.81%) followed stationary along with migratory system. The mean sheep flock size was 67.46±1.07 with a mean sex ratios ram : ewe of 43.81±0.52 and ewe lambs to ram lambs of 1.38:1. The main (33.33%) sources of addition in the flock was farm bred. Significant differences were observed among the above parameters and within the districts. Religion events were ranked first for disposal of breeding rams whereas old age was ranked first for disposal of breeding ewes. Monetary requirements were ranked last for disposal of breeding rams and ewes. The housing practices revealed that sheep were provided penning only during night time (88.75%), and the major housing pattern was penning (79.37%) in kutcha houses (76.14%). Kutcha flooring (84.27%) is prevalent with poor ventilation (93.22%) and sheep manure was stored by open method (88.02%). The manure was used for own farms (55.72%) whereas 13.95 per cent had sold the manure. The frequency of manure sale was yearly once (94.79%). The mean grazing time (hrs) and grazing distance (km) of sheep was 8.48±0.06 and 6.02±0.17 in summer and 6.08±0.05 and 3.78±0.03 in other seasonal period of the year respectively. The water sources for the sheep were tanks / small ponds (57.08%), streams (21.87%) and canals (19.89%). Almost half of the farmers (47.39%) dewormed sheep at every 6 months interval. The sheep were dewormed due to the insistence of Veterinarian (76.35%) and the mean deworming cost (Rs.) per sheep / annum was 5.69±0.18. The sheep flocks were vaccinated mainly against Enterotoxaemia (87.60%) and foot and mouth disease (71.87%). The sheep were marketed by himself and middlemen and the price fixation for live sheep was based on age, sex and physical appearance. The sheep were transported to the marketing point mainly by foot (44.47%) and the mean distance (km) to the marketing point was 12.95±0.05. The mean cost (Rs) of mutton per kg live weight was 107.58±3.20. Significant (P<0.01) differences were observed to above parameters within the districts except manure sale pattern. The major cause of mortality due to specific disease was Blue tongue (52.7%) and non specific disease was respiratory disorder syndrome (51.17%). About half (53.22%) of the sheep farmers sold the carcass for consumption. The major constraints as was perceived by the sheep farmers were in the order of disease attacks followed by shrinkage of grazing lands. The major factors that favoured sheep farming were in the order of revenue from penning, traditional occupation, demand for manure, meat and easy marketability. The values of reproductive performance of the sheep in the North Coastal zone showed the per cent lambing, twinning and weaning were 81.33±0.26, 0.48±0.04 and 85.53±0.16, respectively. The mean age at first mating was 12.85±0.10 and 21.17±0.07 in ewes and rams respectively. The main lambing season was winter (61.97%). The productive performance of the sheep showed that the mean body weight (kg) of ewes and rams at birth was 2.46±0.05 and 2.84±0.06, respectively. The values of mean body weight (kg) at weaning, 6 months, one year and above one year age were 8.96±0.14, 16.05±0.12, 20.39±0.16 and 26.31±0.15 for ewe lambs and 10.10±0.11, 15.48±0.09, 26.01±0.30 and 40.43±0.26, respectively for ram lambs. Significant (P<0.01) differences were observed among the above parameters except lambing seasons and body weight of the rams at one year age group within the districts. The study on the migratory tracts of sheep flocks in the North Coastal zone revealed that are XVI traditional migratory tracts were identified and there were 698 migratory sheep flocks. The major reasons for migration were, lack of feed resources (92.70%), income from penning (89.06%), traditional practice (87.50%), successive drought (84.37%) and lack of water resources (83.33%). The mean duration (days) and distance (km) of migration of the sixteen migratory sheep flocks were 181.25±0.63 and 75.87±0.78 respectively. The major problems during migration included disease outbreaks (85.95%) and lack of veterinary facilities (83.81%). The mean flock size of the stationary flocks was 67.46±1.07 and the mean man days spent per year was 297.87±3.91. The mean flock size of the migratory flocks was 297.87±3.91 and the mean man day spent per year for the migratory flocks was 116.31±0.38. Observations were made on various ethno veterinary medicments and practices being used by the sheep rearing farmers to cure various ailments.