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ThesisItem Open Access UTILITY OF BODY CONDITION SCORE (BCS) SYSTEM FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL TRAITS AND PERFORMANCE OF GOATS UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2019-12) VENKATA RESHMA, Ch.; ANITHA, A (MAJOR); JAGADEESWARA RAO, S; MURALIDHAR, MBody condition score (BCS) has been shown to be an important practical tool in assessing the body condition of goats because BCS is the best simple indicator of available fat reserves which can be used by the animal in periods of high energy demand, stress, or suboptimal nutrition. The technique of Body Condition Score (BCS) is a means of subjectively assessing the degree of fatness or condition of the live animal. The study was carried out on well maintained local goat flocks of farmers in Prakasam district. The present experiment was designed to study the utility of BCS system for the assessment of physical traits and performance in well maintained local goats. BCS system of 1 to 5 scale developed by Carlson (2017) was used to score the does in the present study. Six check points of the doe’s body were examined by vision and palpation. The scores from these check points were recorded and an average BCS was assigned to the doe. The relationship between BCS and physical parameters was studied in 100 does by grouping them in to 2 years, 3 years and 4 years age groups. Does with BCS of 2.50 were more in number in the test flock followed by does with BCS of 3.00, 3.50, 3.25, 2.25, 2.75, 4.00, 2.00 and 3.75. The mean BCS was 2.88 ± 0.05. The mean values of the measurements of physical parameters i.e., body weight (kg), pin-shoulder length (cm), height at withers (cm), chest girth (cm), abdominal girth (cm) and thigh circumference (cm) of the does of test flock were 27.03 ± 0.15, 65.36 ± 0.17, 74.54 ± 0.18, 74.04 ± 0.27, 88.17 ± 0.30 and 36.46 ± 0.16, respectively. The variance of BCS was 0.27. The does of the age group of 3 years had higher BCS (2.96 ± 0.75) compared to the does of age group of 2 years (2.82 ± 0.77) and 4 years (2.75 ± 0.16). There is an increasing trend of pin- shoulder length and abdominal girth with respect to BCS up to BCS of 3.50 while the values decreased from BCS 3.50 to 3.75. There is an increasing trend of chest girth with respect to BCS up to BCS of 4.00. There is an increasing trend of thigh circumference with respect to BCS up to BCS of 3.75 while beyond the trend was in opposite direction. As the BCS increased the body weight of does also showed increasing values. The BCS was significantly (P < 0.01) positively correlated with all physical parameters. Pin - shoulder length, height at withers, chest girth, abdominal girth, thigh circumference and body weight were significantly (P < 0.01) positively correlated with each other. The postpartum changes studied in BCS of 60 does showed that the does were in the BCS range of 2.50 – 3.75 at kidding, there were no does in either poor (below 2.00) or obese (5.00) body condition. Does in the test flock were in the BCS range of 2.50 – 3.75 at kidding, reduced their body condition during early lactation and so the minimum BCS of 2.00 – 2.99 was recorded for majority of the does (55). The mean BCSK was 3.11 which was decreased to 2.87 at first week postpartum, further decreased to 2.42 by 12 weeks postpartum and later on increased gradually to 2.80 by 18 weeks postpartum. LBCS of the test flock ranged from 0.50 to 1.00 with a mean value of 0.70. GBCS of the test flock ranged from 0.25 to 0.50 with a mean value of 0.38. Minimum BCS of the test flock ranged from 2.00 to 3.00 with a mean value of 2.41. The highest CV (16.29) of BCS in does was observed at 8 weeks postpartum and the least (12.46) at 14 weeks postpartum. The CV of LBCS was 20.58 and the CV of GBCS was 32.81. A significant (P < 0.01) difference was observed between the does of different groups of BCSK in LBCS, GBCS and minimum BCS. The mean BCS was decreased from first week to 10 weeks postpartum for the does of BCSK 2.50 to 2.99, from first week to 11 weeks postpartum for the does of BCSK 3.00 to 3.49 and from first week to 12 weeks for the does of BCSK 3.50 to 4.00, thereafter showed an increased trend for the does of three BCSK groups. The highest loss as well as gain in BCS was achieved by the BCSK group 3.50 to 4.00 compared to the BCSK group 2.50 to 2.99 and 3.00 to 3.49. The birth weight of kids per doe ranged from 4.20 to 6.10 kg with a mean of 5.04 kg. There was a significant (P < 0.01) difference between the does of different BCSK groups in birth weight and weaning of kids. Kids of the BCSK group 3.50 to 4.00 showed significantly (P < 0.01) higher birth weight (5.77 kg) compared to the BCSK group 3.00 to 3.49 (5.00 kg) and 2.50 to 2.99 (4.36 kg). The weaning weight of kids per doe ranged from 18.4 to 25.3 kg with a mean of 21.3 kg. Kids of the BCSK group 3.50 to 4.00 showed significantly (P < 0.01) higher weaning weight (23.68 kg) compared to the BCSK group 3.00 to 3.49 (21.88 kg) and 2.50 to 2.99 (18.39 kg). The present study revealed that BCS of 3.50 – 4.00 at kidding resulted in higher birth weight as well as weaning weight of kids. Hence, the BCS system on a number system of 1 – 5 scale is economical, easily applied measure of fatness in does and also an immediate appraisal of body fat reservesThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF FEEDING AZOLLA (Azolla pinnata) OBTAINED FROM BIOREMEDIATION OF DAIRY FARM LIQUID WASTE ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF NELLORE LAMBS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2019-12) MURALI KRISHNA, MADARU; VENKATA SESHAIAH, CH(MAJOR); ANITHA, A; SRINIVAS KUMAR, DThe present study was carried to test the Azolla (Azolla pinnata) as bioremediation agent for dairy farm liquid waste and to find out the effect of feeding Azolla obtained from bioremediation on growth performance of Nellore lambs. The mean quantities of Azolla (g/m2) obtained from conventional and bioremediation methods were 137.5±3.15 and 124±2.07, respectively and the difference in yield was significant (P<0.01) between the methods. Bioremediation of dairy farm liquid waste with Azolla decreased the pH from 7.96 to 7.38 and the colour of the liquid waste was changed from greyish black to brown colour. The turbidity, COD, BOD, Nitrogen and Phosphorous content was decreased to 48.14, 0.74, 0.43, 30.76 and 7.44%, respectively. The dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF), nitrogen free extract (NFE), total ash (TA), acid insoluble ash, calcium and phosphorous content of conventionally produced Azolla on DM basis was 89.85, 76.14, 21.10, 3.6, 14.60, 33.54, 23.21, 7.64, 2.49 and 0.26%, respectively and the same values for Azolla obtained with bioremediation was 89.79, 76.12, 20.71, 3.7, 14.54, 33.64, 24.24, 7.85, 2.52 and 0.29 %, respectively. The mean fortnightly feed intake (Kg) was 20.81±1.48, 20.74±1.46 and 20.73±1.47 for control, T1 and T2 groups, respectively which was significantly (P<0.01) higher in control group compared to Azolla supplemented groups, while the difference was not significant among T1 and T2 groups. The average daily gain (g/day) for control, T1 and T2 groups was 73.66±4.69, 72.54±2.45 and 73.2±3.35, respectively and the difference was not significant among the groups. The mean feed conversion ratio (FCR) for control, T1 and T2 group lambs was 18.83, 19.06 and 18.87, respectively. The cost per kg weight gain for C, T1 and T2 was 78.47, 73.05 and 69.20, respectively. The present study concluded that Azolla can be used for bioremediation of dairy farm liquid waste in an eco-friendly manner and the azolla obtained from bioremediation is as good as Azolla produced from conventional method and can be used as economic protein source in lambs.ThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON GOAT PRODUCTION SYSTEM IN GUNTUR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2019-04) SRINIVASA REDDY, K; JAGADEESWARA RAO, S(MAJOR); ANITHA, A; SUDHAKAR, KAn investigation was carried out to study the morphometric characteristics of local goats and goat production management practices followed by goat rearers in Guntur district of A.P. A total of 240 goat rearers, selected at random from three animal husbandry divisions of the district, were interviewed by a pretested schedule and required data were collected, analysed and presented in the present work. The local goats of Guntur district were medium sized. The predominant coat colour was multi colour (43.82%) and bicolour (43.38%) followed by single colour (12.80%). The bicolour pattern consisted of mainly black and white (24.45%) followed by brown and black (4.12%). The overall head profile of most of the local goats was slightly convex (58.63%), followed by straight (41.37%). Majority of the local goats had pendulous ears (82.30%), while very small number of goats had horizontal ears (10.95%) and erect ears (6.75%). Most of the local goats had wattles in both male (82.25%) and female goats (69.14%). Majority of local goats did not have beard (85.28%). Most of the local goats of both sexes of Guntur district were horned (93.51%) but few were polled (6.49%). The overall mean of the body length, body height, chest girth, paunch girth and body weight of local goats of Guntur district were found to be 68.3±0.2cm, 79.7±0.2cm, 77.8±0.2cm,77.8±0.3cm and 35.4±0.2kg, respectively. The mean body length of local goats of Narasaraopeta division was significantly (P<0.01) higher than that in Guntur and Tenali divisions. The mean body height of local goats of Narasaraopeta and Guntur divisions was significantly (P<0.01) higher than that in Tenali division. The mean chest girth of local goats was significantly (P<0.01) higher in Guntur division than that in Narasaraopeta and Tenali divisions. The mean paunch girth of local goats was significantly (P<0.01) higher in Guntur division than that in Tenali and Narasaraopeta divisions. The mean body weight of local goats was significantly (P<0.01) higher in Guntur division than that in Narasaraopeta and Tenali divisions. The mean body length, body height, chest girth, paunch girth and body weight of full mouth (8 teeth) local goats was significantly higher than that in 6 teeth, 4 teeth and 2 teeth goats. The mean body length, body height, chest girth, paunch girth and body weight of local male goats was significantly (P<0.01) higher than that in female goats. The body weight of local goats was significantly (P<0.01) positively correlated with chest girth (0.80), paunch girth (0.69), body height (0.64) and body length (0.64). The overall mean age at first kidding and kidding interval of local goats of Guntur district was 15.23±0.13 months and 8.49±0.06 months, respectively. The mean age at first kidding was significantly (P<0.01) lower in Tenali division than that in Guntur and Narasaraopeta divisions. The average kidding interval was significantly (P<0.01) lower in Guntur division than that in Tenali and Narasaraopeta divisions. The overall mean litter size was 1.83±0.03 per kidding. It was significantly (P<0.01) higher in Tenali division than that in Guntur and Narasaraopeta divisions. Majority of goat rearers belonged to backward castes (59.17%) followed by scheduled tribes (17.50%), other castes (12.50%) and scheduled castes (10.83%). Most of the goat keepers belonged to hindu religion. Majority of respondents belonged to middle age (62.08%) followed by old age (20%) and young age (17.92%). Majority were illiterate (80.42%) and remaining were low literates (19.58%) with primary education. Majority of the goat rearers (51.25%) were landless people followed by marginal farmers (41.25%) possessing less than 2.5 acres of dry/ rainfed land. Most of the goat rearers (61.25%) had large family size. Majority of goat rearers (53.75%) possessed medium flock size (21-40) followed by large flock i.e 41-70 goats (31.25%) and small flock less than 20 goats (15%). The overall mean flock size was 37.16±1.34 per farmer. It was significantly (P<0.01) higher in Narasaraopeta division (47.91±2.62) than that in Gutur (34.73±2.03) and Tenali (28.85±1.70) divisions. Majority of the goat rearers (75%) used farm born bucks for breeding purpose, whereas 93.33% of the goat rearers used farm born does for breeding purpose. Most of the goat rearers (98.75%) selected breeding bucks based on body size and physical appearance of buck. Majority of goat rearers (53.75%) practiced 1:40 (Buck:doe ratio), remaining rearers practiced 1:25. Majority (59.58%) of respondents changed the buck more than 3 years, followed by every three years (36.67%), two years (3.33%) and every year (0.42%). All the goat rearers followed the flock mating in the breeding season. The major kidding season of local goats was winter (73.75%), followed by rainy (24.27) and summer (2.08%). Twinning was found in most of the flocks (81.25%) followed by singles (16.67%) and triplets (2.08%) in the study area. The average period of grazing and browsing of goats in the study area was 8.48±0.10 hours in a day. The goat rearers followed extensive grazing system in the government waste lands, agricultural fields after harvesting the crops and nearby forest area. Most of the respondents did not practice concentrate feeding during breeding season and advanced pregnancy. Only 13.33 per cent of rearers practiced concentrate feeding during lactation. None of the goat rearers provided mineral mixture to goats. Majority of goat rearers (75.42%) practiced feeding of cotton, maize, ground nut and chillies crop bi-products to the goats. The major source of drinking water to the goats was tanks (54.17%) followed by canals (36.25%) and tube wells (9.58%). Only 26.67 per cent of respondents practiced migration in goats during summer season. Most of the respondents (97.08%) practiced colostrum feeding to new born kids. Most of the respondents (89.25%) did not provide concentrae to the kids, where as 98.75 per cent of rearers provided tender tree leaves for feeding of kids. Vaccination and deworming of kids was practiced by 50.75 and 64.17 per cent of respondents, respectively. Very few (2.08%) respondents practiced castration of male kids. All most all the respondents practiced extensive system of goat rearing. All the goat rearers provided kutcha type of moorum flooring. Most of the sheds had thatched roofing (56.25%) followed by asbestos roofing (24.17%). Majority of goat rearers (79.58%) located manure pit faraway from goat shed. Most of the goat rearers practiced vaccination (97.08%), deworming (99.58%) and control of ectoparasites (71.25%) for adult goats. Majority of respondents (79.58%) approached paraveterinarian for treating their sick goats. Only 11.67 per cent of respondents practiced self treatment for sick goats with technical guidance of para veterinarians. Most of the goat rearers (97.92%) did not practice the isolation of sick goats from healthy flock. None of the goat rearers practiced insurance of goats in the study area. Majority of respondents (52.50%) marketed the male kids at the age of 3-4 months followed by 5-6 months (47.50%). Most of the rearers marketed bucks (63.75%) and does (81.25%) at the age of 5-6 years. Majority of respondents (68.75%) sold goats to middle man followed by butchers (22.50%) and farmers (8.75%).Shrinkage of grazing and browsing area for goats, lack of financial assistance from banks/ government agencies for the purchase of goats, high cost of feed and fodder, feed and fodder shortage, lack of scientific knowledge about feeding and management of goats, lack of willingness of young generation to take up the goat and sheep rearing profession and inadequate supply of veterinary services or medicines were observed to be major constraints perceived by goat rearers in the study area.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF SYNBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE IN MURRAH BUFFALO CALVES(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2019-04) SRI LEKHA, MARRAPU; Venkata Seshaiah, Ch.(MAJOR); Asha Latha, P; Raja Kishore, KA study was carried to find out the effect of dietary probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic supplementation on growth performance, haematological, serum biochemical profiles and cost per kg body weight gain in Murrah buffalo calves with the objective of identifying non antibiotic feed additive as growth promoter in calves. Twenty four Murrah buffalo calves of about six months age were randomly divided into four groups of six calves each on the basis of body weight (BW) in a completely randomized design (CRD). Group I is control (C), Group-II was supplemented with multistrain probiotic containing 7 bacterial strains and 2 yeast strains (2×109cfu/gm) at 5gm/calf/day (T1). Group-III was supplemented with prebiotic mannonoligosaccharide + inulin at 5gm/calf/day (T2) and Group-IV was supplemented with synbiotic containing multistrain probiotic at 2.5gm and 2.5gms of prebiotic mannonoligosaccharide + inulin per calf/day (T3) for a period of 90 days. The dry matter intake (DMI) was significantly higher (P<0.05) from 45th day onwards in T3 group compared to the T1, T2 and C groups. Compared to the control group the DMI was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T1 group of calves while the difference was not significant between C and T2 groups. The mean body weight gain (kg) was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T3 compared to the C group. However significant difference was not observed in body weight gain (kg) among T1, T2 and T3 groups and C, T1 and T2 groups. The Average daily gain (ADG) (Kg/day) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T3 group compared to the control while significant difference was not observed in ADG among T1, T2 and T3 groups and C, T1 and T2 groups. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T3 group compared to C, T1 and T2 groups. Compared to the C group, the FCR was significantly lower (P<0.05) in T1 and T2 groups and the difference was not significant between T1 and T2 groups. The body condition score (BCS) was not significantly different among the experimental groups. Significant difference was not observed in haemoglobin concentration, total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count, packed cell volume among the treatment and control groups. Serum glucose levels, albumin and globulin levels, albumin to globulin ratio and total protein was not significantly different among the treatment and control groups. However, from 60th day onwards, significantly (P<0.05) lower levels of serum cholesterol was observed in T1, T2 and T3 groups compared to the control. The cost per kg weight gain ( ₹ ) was lower in T3 compared to C, T1, and T2 and highest in C group. Among the T1 and T2 groups, the cost per kg weight gain ( ₹ ) was higher in T1 compared to T2. The present study concluded that synbiotics supplementation in buffalo calves had increased DMI, average daily gain and FCR which resulted into decreased cost of feeding per kg weight gain ( ₹ ) in buffalo calves compared to either prebiotic or probiotic supplementation alone.ThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF BODY CONDITION SCORE, UDDER CONFORMATION WITH MILK YIELD, FAT AND SOLIDS-NOT-FAT PERCENT IN MURRAH GRADED BUFFALOES UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2019-03) LAKSHMI RANJITHA, BORRA; ASHALATHA, P(MAJOR); JAGADEESWARA RAO, S; SUBRAHMANYESWARI, BThe present experiment was a study on the relationship of Body Condition Score, Udder Conformation with milk yield, fat and solids-not-fat percent in murrah graded buffaloes under field conditions. In this murrah graded buffaloes from different commercial farms of Guntur and Krishna districts were selected. Total of 150 murrah graded buffaloes of different parities (1st to 6th parities) were selected. Various parameters like Body Condition Score, Udder Length, Udder Width, Udder Depth, teat length, teat diameter and parity related to average milk yield, fat per cent, SNF per cent was taken into consideration for the present study and a correlated study of Body Condition Score, udder morphology and the milk yield was studied. The different body condition scores in graded murrah buffaloes were studied and the selected animals were divided in to four groups 2.5-2.99, 3.0-3.49, 3.5-3.99, 4.0-4.49. The mean BCS values of 2.5-2.99, 3.0-3.49, 3.5-3.99, 4.0-4.49 were 2.62, 3.25, 3.56 and 4.25, respectively. Highest milk yield was recorded in second month of lactation and lowest in first month of lactation with 9.445±0.15 and 6.18±0.08 kg per day, respectively. The buffaloes with BCS 4.0-4.49 yielded higher milk yield when compared to other groups. Highest fat and SNF per cent was observed in the animals with BCS 4.0-4.49 when compared with others. The BCS had showed high positive correlation with SNF (0.44) and milk yield (0.41). In the udder morphology strong variation exists but occurrence of bowl shaped udder and cylindrical shaped teats were maximum and pendulous shaped udder yielded higher milk production. The mean±S.E of udder length, udder width and udder depth of different udder shapes ranged from 47.44±0.37 to 51.55±0.90 cm, 41.81±1.18 to 46.15±0.94 cm and 11.67±0.05 to 12.3±0.16 cm, respectively. The overall average udder length, udder width and udder depth were 48.1±0.33, 42.80±0.32 and 11.80±0.05 cm, respectively. Maximum udder length, udder width and udder depth were found in pendulous shaped udder. The overall mean(±S.E) of teat lengths of right fore, left fore, right rear, left fore were 5.42±0.02, 5.60±0.02, 5.74±0.03 and 5.96±0.02 cm, respectively. Similarly the overall mean(±S.E) of diameter of the teat in right fore, left fore, right rear, left rear were 2.48±0.01, 2.60±0.01, 2.72±0.01 and 2.87±0.02 cm, respectively. The pendulous shaped udder and funnel shaped teats yielded maximum average daily milk yield. The average daily milk yield, milk fat and SNF per cent showed positive correlation with all the udder and teat measurements. Milk yield showed high positive correlation with left rear teat diameter (0.60), udder length (0.62) and udder width (0.59). Milk fat per cent showed highest correlation with udder depth (0.48), udder width (0.44) and udder length (0.42). SNF per cent showed highest correlation with udder width (0.53), udder length (0.49) and udder depth (0.46). There was an increase in udder length, udder width and from 2nd parity to 6th parity but there is decrease from 1st parity to 2nd parity. Udder depth increased from 1st parity to 6th parity. Average daily milk yield increased from 1st to 6th parity. There was an increase in fat and SNF per cent from 1st to 5th parity and there is decrease from 6th parity. High positive correlation was observed between parity and milk yield and SNF per cent. It was found that murrah graded buffaloes with pendulous udders and funnel shaped teats yielded maximum milk. All the udder morphological characteristics showed positive correlation with average milk yield, fat and SNF per cent. BCS and udder measurements showed positive correlation with average milk yield, fat and SNF per cent in murrah graded buffaloes.ThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN DAIRY FARMING IN KRISHNA DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2019-01) LEELA KRISHNA, NARIPEDDI; ANITHA, A(MAJOR); JAGADEESWARA RAO, S; MURALIDHAR, MAn investigation was conducted to study the socio-economic profile, participation and decision making of farm women in dairy management practices and constraints faced by the women dairy farmers in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. In the study area majority (P≤0.01) of the women belonged to middle age group (68%), other caste (54.22%) and had primary education (36.44%). Most of them were married (95.11%), belonged to nuclear families (73.33%) and had small family size (67.11%). Agricultural farming and dairying was the major occupation (52.88%) of women in the study area. Most of the women had medium level of experience in dairying (46.66%). Only 8% of women dairy farmers had exposure to training related to dairying, 73.77% of them are members in DWCRA/SHG and only 19.55% are members in cooperative societies. Significantly (P≤0.01) majority of women dairy farmers were occasionally in contact with veterinarian (45.77%), para veterinarian (38.66%), friends and relatives (71.55%). Women under the medium farmer category were more exposed to television (50.66%), news paper (17.33%) and farm magazine (14.66%) compared to landless and small farmer category. Small farm women (587.00±81.70) obtained more income (rupees/day) through dairying followed by medium (516.34±54.35) and landless (385.66±32.39) farm women. Small farm women possessed significantly (P≤0.05) more graded Murrah buffaloes (3.68±0.28), whereas women under medium farm category possessed significantly (P≤0.05) more number of local cows (0.28±0.07), Murrah buffaloes (0.45±0.21) as well as more (P≤0.01) buffalo heifers (1.22±0.14). More number of women dairy farmers under landless category participated regularly in taking animals for AI (48%), care of pregnant animals (81.33%) and arranging materials during parturition (72%). Women from small farmer category had more participation in taking animals for pregnancy diagnosis (81.33%) and post calving care (77.33%). Only 3.55% of women in the study area were regularly calling veterinarian during dystocia. Women under landless category were more involved in regularly taking animals for grazing (45.33%), green fodder collection and feeding (68%) and feeding animals with concentrates (88%) compared to small and medium farmers. Only 12% of farm women in the study area were regularly chaffing the fodder. Feeding of animals with dry fodder regularly was more in small women dairy farmer category (89.33%) and landless (86.66%) than that in medium (56%) farm women category. Regular storage of feed and fodder was observed to be higher in landless (70.66%) and small farm women (68%). Only 3.11% of the farm women were occasionally involved in construction of animals sheds. Cleaning of animal sheds regularly was high in landless (76%) and small (69.33%) farm women than in medium (44%) farm women. Majority of women under landless category were regularly using disinfectants for cleaning of animal sheds (49.33%). Regular involvement in disposing of dung and composting of dung is high in women under landless (69.33%) and small (65.33%) farm women categories. Participation in preparation of gobar gas (4.44%) and dung cakes (8.44%) was observed to be low. Feeding of colostrum to the calves regularly is high in small (86.66%) farm women category and cleaning of calf after birth is high in landless (84%) women category. Women in landless (77.33%) and small (74.6%) farmer categories are regularly washing the animals before milking. Majority of the women were regularly milking the animals (93.77%), cleaning the milking utensils (93.77%) and boiling the milk (96.44%) in the study area. It was observed that 12% of women under medium farmer category and 8% under small farmer category are engaging labour for milking of animals. Women under small (76%) and landless (73.33%) farmer category were regularly taking care of sick animals. Participation of women regularly was low regarding vaccination and medication (10.66%), deworming of adult animals (9.77%) and purchasing veterinary medicine (6.66%) in the study area. Participation of women dairy farmers regularly in household sale of milk and milk products was observed to be high in small farmer category (32%). Significantly (P≤0.01) more number of women dairy farmers were regularly selling milk through cooperatives (78.66%) and preparing the milk products (72.44%) in the study area. The sale of milk was observed to be high in small (90.66%) and landless (85.33%) farm women categories than in medium (56%) farm women category. Involvement of women dairy farmers in money collection regularly was observed to be high in small (40%) and landless (38.66%) farmer categories. The milk production (13.25±0.80), consumption (1.48±0.06) and milk consumption by women per day (0.16±0.07) was observed to be high in medium women dairy farmers in the study area. Milk sale per day was observed to be significantly (P≤0.05) high in small farmers (14.20±1.90). Only 12.88% and 11.55% farm women in the study area were regularly participating in insurance of animals and purchase of concentrates, respectively. Women under landless category are more (57.33%) involved in taking loans from banks or cooperatives. The participation in decision making regarding insurance of animals (86.65%), culling of uneconomic animals (81.33%), construction of sheds (82.66%), purchase of roughages and feeding of animals (86.66%), breeding practices (81.33%), utility of dung (69.33%) and adoption of scientific management practices (62.66%) was more in landless women compared to small and medium farmer categories. Majority (69.33%) of women in the study area were taking self decision regarding preparation of milk products. The women in the study area had good knowledge regarding feeding of colostrum to the calves (94.22%) followed by location of manure pit (93.33%) and importance of feeding of green fodder (90.66%). Poor knowledge was observed regarding cutting of naval cord (5.77%), strip cup test to detect mastitis (2.22%) and urea treatment of paddy straw (1.77%). Shortage of green fodder was the major technical constraint perceived by women under landless (37.33%) and small farmer (32%) category. High cost of concentrate and other feeds was the major economic constraint perceived by women under landless (89.33%) and small farmer (81.33%) category. It was observed that 17.77% of the in the study area suggested for supply of fodder by government during lean period.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF SHENUT EXTRACT INCLUSION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LAYERS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2006-02) RAMI REDDY, T; SUDHAKARA REDDY, P(MAJOR); SATYANARAYANA REDDY, P.V.V; PARTHASARATHY, MThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON MIGRATORY ASPECTS OF SHEEP REARING IN ANANTAPUR DISTRICT(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2016-12) SREEKANTHA KUMAR, T; SURESH BABU, D(MAJOR); RAVINDRA REDDY, Y; RAVI, AABSTRACT: The present study entitled “A study on migratory aspects of sheep rearing in Anantapur district” was undertaken to study the socio economic status of the migratory sheep farmers, management practices of sheep rearing, performance of sheep, identification of migratory tracts and patterns and constraints if any. A total of 160 migratory sheep flocks were identified and selected for the study. Majority (42.5%) of the shepherds in the study area were middle age people with a mean age of 37.48 years and majority of the sheep farmers belonged to backward caste (84.37%) followed by scheduled tribes (9.37%), scheduled caste (4.37%) and others (1.87%). The average size of the family was 4.8 and majority (51.87%) were living as joint families. Regarding education level, majority (56.87%) of the shepherds were literate with 60.44 per cent upto primary school level. With regard to experience in sheep farming, the average was 14.01 years with majority of sheep farmers having 10 to 20 years of sheep farming experience. It was observed that 71.87 per cent of farmers were having sheep rearing as main occupation followed by 28.13 per cent having agriculture related activities as main activity. The mean flock size was 307.85, where majority (93.12%) of farmers had possessed their own sheep. With regard to management practices it was observed that 100 per cent of the farmers provided lamb enclosures for new born lambs until weaning. It was observed that farmers depend mainly on available grazing resources to rear their sheep flocks. Majority (37.5%) of the farmers utilized all types lands (community land, forests and waste lands) followed by forests + waste lands (35%), waste barren lands (3.75%) and forests (2.5%) for grazing of their sheep. The average grazing time in the study area was found to be 8.5 ± 0.05 hours and the mean grazing distance recorded was 5.14±0.06 km/day. It was observed that all the farmers provided supplementation along with feeding resources available in the grazing area. The male to female sex ratio was 1:28 and the retention time of ram in the flock was for 5.2 years, with majority (86.25%) of the farmers not practicing rotation of breeding rams and culling of the breeding ewes (77.5%). It was appreciable that all the sheep farmers practiced deworming and immunization while majority (60%) of the respondents didn’t follow the deticking practice. Majority of the shepherds disposed off manure by way of penning for money against provision for crop stubbles or food provided by the farmers. The mean birth weight of ram and ewe lambs was 3.04 ± 0.01 kg and 2.84 ± 0.01 kg, respectively. The mean weaning weight of males and females were, 11.88 ± 0.09 kg and 11.75 ± 0.09 kg, respectively. The mean weight at 6 months of age was 16.07 ± 0.2 kg and 15.79 ± 0.11 kg and at 1 year of age it was 28.43 ± 0.25 kg and 23.55 ± 0.25 kg in males and females, respectively. The age at first mating was 12.24 ± 0.23 and 17.77 ± 0.09 months in females and males, respectively. Age at first lambing of ewes was found to be 17.81 ± 0.10 months. A tupping percentage of 86.9 ± 0.27 and lambing percentage of 81.25 ± 0.16 was observed in the study area. The average lambing interval was 8.03 ± 0.01 months. The mean weaning percentage observed was 87.75 ± 0.26 and the weaning age was 3.4 months. A total of 14 major migratory tracts (100 km and above) and 12 minor migratory tracts (below 100 km) were identified in the study area. The major migratory tract - I was largest covering 216 km with a duration of 210 days, starting from Chennarayunipalle of Bukkapatnam mandal in Ananthapur district and reaching Ammasandra in Karnataka. The distance travelled by sheep flocks in the identified major tracts ranged from 100 to 202 km with a mean distance of 128.46 ± 8.98 km. The duration (days) of migration in major tracts ranged from 150 to 276 with a mean duration of 193.53 ± 10.0. The minor migratory tract - XII starting from Pamidi and reaching Penakacherla dam of Garladinne mandal was the shortest route covering 18 km with a span of 90 days. The distance travelled by sheep flocks in the identified minor tracts ranged from 18 to 96 km with a mean distance of 69.33 ± 6.89 km. The duration (days) of migration in minor tracts ranged from 90 to 159 with a mean duration of 130.91 ± 7.6. Drinking water scarcity, shrinkage of grazing lands, resistance from local farmers, fodder scarcity, physical strain associated with migration and attack by predators were the major constraints encountered by the shepherds along the migratory tracts.ThesisItem Open Access ASSESSMENT OF STRESS BY FAECAL CORTISOL ESTIMATION AND ENDOPARASITISM IN ELEPHANTS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2016-11) SATYA PRAKASH ARUN; RAVINDRA REDDY, Y(MAJOR); SURESH, J; SREENIVASA RAO, DABSTRACT : A study was undertaken to assess the stress through faecal cortisol estimation and endoparasitic prevalence in four different categories of elephants viz. Temple (Kerala), zoos (Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park- Tirupathi, Indra Gandhi Zoological Park- Vishakapatnam and Nehru Zoological Park - Hyderabad), semi wild (elephant camp- Ramakuppam and Bannnaraghatta safari) and wild elephant (Seshachalam forest and Koundinya wild life sanctuary) in summer and winter seasons. A total of 80 dung samples were collected from all the categories of elephants constituting a sample of 10 from each category for each season and these samples were preserved in 80 per cent methanol and 10 per cent formalin for cortisol estimation and parasitic examination, respectively. The faecal cortisol was estimated by subjecting the sample to ELISA technique while, sedimentation and floatation method was used for the purpose of parasitic ova examination. From the present findings the mean faecal cortislol concentration of temple, zoo, semi wild and wild elephants was observed as 9.04 ± 0.85 ng/g, 7.64 ± 0.46 ng/g, 6.82 ± 0.80 ng/g and 6.80 ± 0.36 ng/g in summer and 10.86 ± 0.70 ng/g, 7.11 ± 0.76 ng/g, 7.05 ± 0.59 ng/g and 7.78 ± 0.41 ng/g in winter season, respectively. It was observed that the faecal cortisol concentration was found to be highest in temple elephants (9.04 ± 0.85) and lowest in wild elephants (6.80 ± 0.36) during summer and in winter the faecal cortisol concentration was found to be highest in temple elephants (10.86 ± 0.7) and lowest in semiwild elephants (7.05 ± 0.59). The statistical analysis using paired ‘t’ test revealed no significant differences between elephants in summer and winter seasons in different habitats. The dung samples subjected to endoparasitic examination revealed the prevalence of strongyle, strongyloid and amphistome ovas. The level of endoparasitic infection in temple, zoo, semiwild and wild elephants was 40%, 30%, 30% and 30 %, respectively during summer where as in winter season, the extent of infection was 50%, 70%, 30% and 40%, respectively. It was further observed that strongyle infection was at higher rate in comparison to strongyloid and amphistome infection. In order to reduce/minimize cortisol level and endoparasite infection in elephants, managemental practices like availability of sufficient area for feeding, walking for longer distances, provision of wallowing tanks for bath, avoiding standing for longer duration on concreate floors, enrichment of the enclosure, restricting of visitors and reduction of noise and sound by vehicles is suggested in temple and zoo animals to minimize the cortisol level and reduce stress condition of the mega herbivores.