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ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF FEEDING TANNIFEROUS HERBAGE ON GROWTH AND HELMINTHS CONTROL IN NELLORE SHEEP(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2020-11) SIREESHA, KORLAKUNTA; VENKATA SESHAIAH, CH(MAJOR); SUDHAKAR, K; SRINIVAS KUMAR, D; VINOO, RThe present research was carried out to find out the effect of feeding tanniferous leaf meal mixture (TLMM) incorporated total mixed rations (TMR) on growth, BCS, blood haematological and biochemical profiles, faecal egg count of helminths and cost per kg live weight gain in Nellore lambs and ewes. Among the ten locally available herbages, Ficus benghalensis, Leucaena leucocephala and Psidium guajava were selected for the experiment based on their CP and CT content. A total of 30 Nellore brown lambs of approximately 3-4 months age with a mean live weight of 12.10 ± 0.31 kg and 30 ewes of uniform age 3 to 3.5 years and body weight (25.03±1.52 Kg), tested positive for parasitic infestation were selected and randomly divided into five groups of 6 animals each in a completely randomized design. The control groups i.e. positive control ( C) and negative control (NC) were fed with total mixed ration (TMR) without TLMM and the treatment groups were fed with TMR in which part of the roughage portion was replaced with TLMM to get the CT content of the ration at 2% (T1), 3%(T2) and 4%(T3) levels for a period of 120 days. Only NC group of lambs and ewes received deworming as per the schedule. Care was taken that all the experimental rations were isonitrogenous. The mean body weights (kg) of lambs at the end of the experiment were significantly (P<0.05) higher in treatment groups compared to control groups and the body weights of lambs in T2 group were significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to other groups. The body weights (kg) of T1, T2 and T3 groups were found to be 21%, 23% and 18% higher than the control group. The average daily gain (ADG) in treatment groups of lambs were found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to C and NC groups and the difference between C and NC groups was also significantly (P<0.05) different. Among the treatment groups, T2 group recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher mean ADG compared to T3 group, while the difference was not significant between T1 and T2 and T1 and T3. The average feed intake (g/day) in lambs was significantly (P<0.05) low in control group compared to other groups, while the difference was not significant among other groups. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) (kg DMI/kg gain) was significantly (P<0.05) low in T2 group compared to C and NC groups, while the difference was comparable among treatment groups. No significant difference was observed in mean BCS values among treatment and control groups of lambs and ewes. The mean Hb (g/dl) levels were significantly (P<0.05) low in C group compared to other groups and significantly (P<0.05) high in T2, NC groups, while the difference was not significant (P<0.05) between T1 and T3 groups in lambs and ewes. The mean PCV (%) values were significantly (P<0.05) low in C group compared to other groups, while the difference was not significant among other groups in both lambs and ewes. Total protein, albumin, globulin (g/dl) levels and A:G ratio were significantly (P<0.05) lower in control group compared to treatment groups in lambs and ewes. Mean glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, Ca, P and Cu (mg/dl) levels in experimental lambs and ewes under different treatments did not differ significantly (P<0.05). The mean serum urea (mg/dl) levels in all the treatment groups of lambs and ewes were found to be significantly (P<0.05) lower compared to both control groups. No significant (P<0.05) difference was observed among different treatment groups with respect to SGOT and SGPT (IU/L) in lambs and ewes. The FEC (eggs per gram) in treatment groups was found to be decreasing with the progression of the experiment till the end of the experiment in both lambs and ewes. In lambs and ewes, the FEC was significantly (P<0.05) high in C group and were low in T2 group, while the difference was not significant among T1, T3 and NC groups in lambs and ewes. At the end of the experiment, the FEC reduced by 66.67%, 85.85% and 71.63% in T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively in lambs and 68.20%, 86.0% and 69.90% in T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively in ewes compared to FEC recorded at the beginning of the experiment. The cost of feeding (₹) per kg weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T2 group and significantly (P<0.05) higher in C group compared to other groups, while the difference was not significant between NC, T1 and T2 groups. The feeding cost (₹) per kg live weight gain was 38, 25, and 23% less in T2, T1 and T3 groups compared to the control. The results from the present study concluded that feeding of diets containing 3% CT from locally available TLMM (Ficus benghalensis, Leucaena leucocephala and Psidium guajava at 40:40:20 ratio) was proven to be better in terms of growth performance, parasitic control and cost of feeding in lambs and parasitic control in ewes. The results of the study further reveled that feeding of CT even at 4% level in the diets of sheep does not cause any effect on health of the animal.ThesisItem Open Access A CRITICAL ANALYSIS ON STATUS AND PERFORMANCE OF ONGOLE CATTLE IN THE BREEDING TRACT OF ANDHRA PRADESH(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2020-07) DHARMA RAO, M.V.; Jagadeeswara Rao, S; Venkata Seshaiah, CH; Srinivas Kumar, D; Vinoo, RThe aim of this study was to find out the present status of Ongole cattle, its production and reproduction performance, existing management practices and constraints perceived by the Ongole cattle farmers and to quantify the association of morphometric characters with production and reproduction traits in Ongole cattle. The trend in the total bovine population of Andhra Pradesh indicated that the indigenous cattle population was decreased (47.2 per cent), while crossbred population increased to 239 per cent and buffalo population marginally decreased during the period of 1997 to 2017. The total Ongole breed population was 1,85,104 numbers in the state of Andhra Pradesh and the breed tract of six districts had about 1,06,597 numbers, which accounts for 57.0 per cent in total Ongole cattle population of the state. The overall least squares mean for total lactation milk yield, milk yield per day of lactation and milk yield per day of calving interval, peak yield, days to reach peak yield and lactation length, was 716.03 ± 7.81 kg, 2.98± 0.02 kg, 1.55± 0.04 kg, 4.25 ± 0.15 kg, 65.68 ± 0.89 days and 241.34 ± 2.01 days, respectively. The production traits were significantly (P<0.01) influenced by the location of the location of the farm, period of calving and lactation order. The least square mean of age at first calving, dry period, service period and calving interval was 1586.94 ± 9.14, 275.69 ± 5.06, 226.44 ± 4.31 and 511.08 ± 6.00 days, respectively. All the reproduction traits under study were significantly (P<0.01) influenced by the farm, period and order of lactation. 21 The mean animal length, height, heart girth, abdominal girth, neck length and udder length, for the cows of organized farms were 139.17±0.55, 140.29±0.41, 174.83±0.88, 189.75±1.09, 47.70±0.78, and 31.81±0.57 cm whilst, for farmer cows were 141.03±0.75, 143.07±0.55, 178.59±1.20, 194.40±1.48, 28.58±0.77 and 28.58±0.77 cm, respectively. The differences were found to be significant (P<0.01) and the variation in rest of morphometric traits were found to be non-significant. The average total lactation milk yield in Ongole cows of both farm and farmers herds was 918.76±45.57 kg and was significantly (P<0.01) influenced by the udder area and skin fold thickness. The mean lactation length was 239.11±11.00 days, which was significantly (P<0.01) influenced by the herd, cephalic index and skin fold thickness. The peak yield was 5.78±0.23 kg and was significantly (P<0.01) influenced by the herd and skin fold thickness. Cows of farmers’ herds took more number of days to reach peak yield when compared to the cows of organized herds. The mean dry period, service period and the calving interval for farm and farmer herds was 185.50±15.99, 226.51±16.42 and 475.80±16.05 days, respectively. Total lactation milk yield had a significant (P<0.01) and positive correlations with udder area, udder length and cephalic index whereas, negatively correlated with skin fold thickness. The lactation length was positively correlated with face length, cephalic index and udder area whereas, negatively correlated with skin fold thickness in Ongole cattle. Majority of respondents of Ongole cattle rearers in the breeding tract belonged to middle age group had small family with high percentage of literacy and possessed marginal to small land holdings and agriculture was the main occupation. Most of the farmers had knowledge about breeding practices, followed AI and select the bulls based on physical characters. Most of the animals were allowed for grazing and the predominant dry fodder was found to be paddy straw. Loose housing, kutcha sheds with thatched roof was the most common housing, adjacent to near to farmers’ residence. Hand milking was common and none of the farmers practiced weaning. Among the constraints perceived by Ongole cattle rearers, majority of farmers expressed feeding related problems (64.68 percent) in cattle (high cost of concentrate feeds and crop residues etc) and it was ranked first. The mean Garrett’s scores for other constraints in descending order were 59.41, 57.11, 52.66, 51.78 and 47.33 per cents for general, breeding, breed characteristics, health care and marketing problems related, respectively in the Ongole cattle breeding tract of Andhra Pradesh.ThesisItem Open Access A CRITICAL ANALYSIS ON STATUS AND PERFORMANCE OF ONGOLE CATTLE IN THE BREEDING TRACT OF ANDHRA PRADESH(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2020-07) DHARMA RAO, M.V; JAGADEESWARARAO, S(MAJOR); Venkata Seshaiah, Ch.; Srinivas Kumar, D; Vinoo, RThe aim of this study was to find out the present status of Ongole cattle, its production and reproduction performance, existing management practices and constraints perceived by the Ongole cattle farmers and to quantify the association of morphometric characters with production and reproduction traits in Ongole cattle. The trend in the total bovine population of Andhra Pradesh indicated that the indigenous cattle population was decreased (47.2 per cent), while crossbred population increased to 239 per cent and buffalo population marginally decreased during the period of 1997 to 2017. The total Ongole breed population was 1,85,104 numbers in the state of Andhra Pradesh and the breed tract of six districts had about 1,06,597 numbers, which accounts for 57.0 per cent in total Ongole cattle population of the state. The overall least squares mean for total lactation milk yield, milk yield per day of lactation and milk yield per day of calving interval, peak yield, days to reach peak yield and lactation length, was 716.03 ± 7.81 kg, 2.98± 0.02 kg, 1.55± 0.04 kg, 4.25 ± 0.15 kg, 65.68 ± 0.89 days and 241.34 ± 2.01 days, respectively. The production traits were significantly (P<0.01) influenced by the location of the location of the farm, period of calving and lactation order. The least square mean of age at first calving, dry period, service period and calving interval was 1586.94 ± 9.14, 275.69 ± 5.06, 226.44 ± 4.31 and 511.08 ± 6.00 days, respectively. All the reproduction traits under study were significantly (P<0.01) influenced by the farm, period and order of lactation. The mean animal length, height, heart girth, abdominal girth, neck length and udder length, for the cows of organized farms were 139.17±0.55, 140.29±0.41, 174.83±0.88, 189.75±1.09, 47.70±0.78, and 31.81±0.57 cm whilst, for farmer cows were 141.03±0.75, 143.07±0.55, 178.59±1.20, 194.40±1.48, 28.58±0.77 and 28.58±0.77 cm, respectively. The differences were found to be significant (P<0.01) and the variation in rest of morphometric traits were found to be non-significant. The average total lactation milk yield in Ongole cows of both farm and farmers herds was 918.76±45.57 kg and was significantly (P<0.01) influenced by the udder area and skin fold thickness. The mean lactation length was 239.11±11.00 days, which was significantly (P<0.01) influenced by the herd, cephalic index and skin fold thickness. The peak yield was 5.78±0.23 kg and was significantly (P<0.01) influenced by the herd and skin fold thickness. Cows of farmers’ herds took more number of days to reach peak yield when compared to the cows of organized herds. The mean dry period, service period and the calving interval for farm and farmer herds was 185.50±15.99, 226.51±16.42 and 475.80±16.05 days, respectively. Total lactation milk yield had a significant (P<0.01) and positive correlations with udder area, udder length and cephalic index whereas, negatively correlated with skin fold thickness. The lactation length was positively correlated with face length, cephalic index and udder area whereas, negatively correlated with skin fold thickness in Ongole cattle. Majority of respondents of Ongole cattle rearers in the breeding tract belonged to middle age group had small family with high percentage of literacy and possessed marginal to small land holdings and agriculture was the main occupation. Most of the farmers had knowledge about breeding practices, followed AI and select the bulls based on physical characters. Most of the animals were allowed for grazing and the predominant dry fodder was found to be paddy straw. Loose housing, kutcha sheds with thatched roof was the most common housing, adjacent to near to farmers’ residence. Hand milking was common and none of the farmers practiced weaning. Among the constraints perceived by Ongole cattle rearers, majority of farmers expressed feeding related problems (64.68 percent) in cattle (high cost of concentrate feeds and crop residues etc) and it was ranked first. The mean Garrett’s scores for other constraints in descending order were 59.41, 57.11, 52.66, 51.78 and 47.33 per cents for general, breeding, breed characteristics, health care and marketing problems related, respectively in the Ongole cattle breeding tract of Andhra Pradesh.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.
