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Subject: Animal Nutrition × Author: KAU × End date: 1989 × Start date: 1980 × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Growth and carcass characteristics of pigs maintained on rations containing different levels of dried tapioca chips
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1981) Sasikala Devi, K A; KAU; Thomas, C T
    An investigation was carried out to assess the growth rate, feed efficiency, carcass quality and economics of production in swine with isoproteimic rations containing dried tapioca chips in partial or complete replacement of maize. Eighteen large White Yorkshire weanling pigs were divided into three groups (Group 1, 11 and 111) of six animals each as uniformly as possible in regard to litter, sex, age and weight and maintained on three isoproteimic diets A, B and C containing 0, 20 and 40 per cent levels respectively of dried tapioca chips in partial and complete replacement of maize. Records of feed intake, fortnightly body weights and body measurements were maintained throughout the course of the experiment. Digestibility coefficients of nutrients in the rations were determined. Two males and two females each from all the three groups were slaughtered when they attained the body weight of 70 kg for collecting data on carcass characteristics. Haematological studies were also carried out to assess the nutritional status of the animals. The animals under all the three dietary treatments recorded almost similar growth rates, the overall average daily gains being 385.9, 368.0 and 380.2 g respectively for the three groups 1, 11 and 111. The total food intake of the animals were similar indicating that the three rations, in addition to being isoproteimic, were also isocaloric and of almost equal palatability. The animals also showed similar feed conversion efficiency, the overall average values being 3.59, 3.62 and 3.57 respectively for the groups 1, 11 and 111. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients in the three rations were similar indicating that dried tapioca chips was as efficiently utilised as maize. The normal and similar values for blood constituents indicated that all the animals maintained normal nutritional status and inclusion of tapioca at levels as used in the present study did not exert any deleterious effect on the health of the animals. Results of studies on carcass characteristics revealed that the dressing percentage without head, carcass length, back fat thickness, loin – eye area and percentages of prime cuts against live weight were all found to be similar with both tapioca and maize based diets. The diets used did not seem to markedly influence the melting point of body fat though there was significant difference between subcutaneous and leaf fat indicating a greater unsaturation of subcutaneous fat. Saponification values were found to be similar with all the three diets. With respect to both subcutaneous and leaf fat, iodine number was higher on maize based diets though there was significant difference only in regard to subcutaneous fat. Cost of production per kg live weight of the animals in the three groups 1, 11 and 111 were shown to be Rs.8.20, 8.19 and 7.99 respectively. An overall evaluation of results clearly indicated that dried tapioca chips can be safely and profitably incorporated in swine rations at a level of 40 per cent in place of conventional cereal grains like maize.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Optimum level of protein in concentrate mixtures of kids for growth
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1981) Ganga Devi, P; KAU; Kunjikutty, N
    An investigation spread over a period of 4 ½ months was carried out to establish the optimum level of protein in concentrate mixtures of kids for growth. Twenty four cross – bred kids (Saanen x Malabari and Alpine x Malabari) of 3 – 4 months of age, divided into four identical groups formed the experimental subjects. The kids in group 1, 11, 111 and IV was maintained on concentrate mixtures containing 16, 18, 20 and 22 per cent respectively of crude protein along with jack leaves fed ad libitum as the sole roughage. Increase in body weight and body measurements, feed conversion efficiency, digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen retention and haematological values of the kids were the criteria employed for the evaluation. The average daily gain in body weight recorded for the kids of the four groups were almost similar and were not influenced by the level of dietary protein fed. The body measurements did not reveal any significant differences between the groups except body length which showed increase with increase in level of dietary protein. Highest feed efficiency was shown by kids of group IV followed by group 111, 11 and 1 the values being 6.2, 6.9, 7.0 and 7.2 respectively for the four groups. The digestibility of nutrients especially that of crude protein and the average daily nitrogen retention were directly proportional to the level of dietary protein fed. All the animals maintained a sound nutritional status throughout the experimental period as evidenced from the normal haematological values recorded for them. Kids fed 22 per cent crude protein in the concentrate mixture showed maximum economic gain.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Lucerne meal as an ingredient in calf starter
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1981) Geetha, A; KAU; Sivaraman, E
    An investigation was carried out to assess the feeding value of lucerne meal as a possible substitute for fish meal in calf starters. Eighteen cross bred calves, weaned at birth, were divided into three groups (Groups 1, 11 and 111) of six animals each as uniformly as possible in regard to body weight and maintained on three isoproteimic calf starter diets, A, B and C containing 0, 15 and 20 per cent levels respectively of lucerne meal in partial or complete replacement of fish meal. Records of fortnightly body weights and body measurements were maintained throughout the course of the experiment. Haematological studies were carried out at monthly intervals. Digestibility coefficients of nutrients in the three rations were determined by conducting a digestion trial towards the end of the experiment. Though the control diet appeared better in promoting growth in calves, the overall daily gains and feed efficiency were almost similar with all the three dietary treatments clearly indicating that lucerne meal can replace fish meal at the levels used and fairely meet the amino acid requirements of the calves. Gains in body weight showing a positive correlation between body weight and body measurements. The normal and similar values for blood constituents indicated that all the animals maintained normal nutritional status and inclusion of lucerne meal at levels as used in the present study did not exert any deleterious effect on the health of the animals. An overall critical assessment of results clearly indicated that with isoproteimic diets licerne meal can be safely included in calf starters at levels of 15 and 20 per cent in partial or complete replacement of fish meal.