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ThesisItem Open Access Nutritive evaluation of squilla (oratosquilla nepa) meal in broiler chicken diets(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Kanakasabai, P; KAU; Kunjikutty, NAn experiment was designed and conducted to assess the nutritive value of squilla (Oratosquilla nepa) meal in broiler chicken diet as an animal protein source replacing fish meal protein at three levels viz. zero, 50 and 100 per cent with supplementation of lysine and methionine at 100 per cent level of replacement. One hundred and eighty one – day old straight – run commercial broiler chicks were divided into four groups each with three replicates of fifteen birds and were allotted to four dietary treatments viz. T1 containing 10 per cent unsalted dried fish (control), T2 in which 50 per cent crude protein from dried fish was replaced with squilla meal protein, T3 in which 100 per cent crude protein from dried fish was replaced with squilla meal protein and T4 in which T3 was supplemented with adequate lysine and methionine as per BIS (1992). The rations were made isoproteimic and iso – caloric. The chicks were reared under standard managemental conditions for a period of eight weeks. The birds fed on 100 per cent squilla meal protein dist in replacement of fish meal protein attained significantly lower body weight gain )P < 0.01) compared to those in the control ( T1) and 50 per cent squilla meal protein (T2) group at six and eight weeks. Lysine and methionine supplementation in the 100 per cent squilla meal protein diet improved the weight gain of birds to a level comparable to those on 50 per cent squilla meal protein diet. Feed intake and protein of birds on various dietary treatments at different ages did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). But the feed conversion efficiency of birds maintained on control diet was significantly higher (P < 0.05) at six weeks and eight weeks (P < 0.01) than those on 100 per cent squilla meal protein diet (2.437 vs 2.93). Protein efficiency ratio of birds differed significantly between different treatment groups and the values correlate well with the body weight gain at different ages. Slaughter studies revealed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the different groups in dressed yield, giblet yield and length of duodenum. However, the abdominal fat was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in control group of birds, while the ready – t0 – cook yield was significantly less (P < 0.05) in 100 per cent squilla meal protein group. The apparent metabolisable energy content of different rations and daily protein retention of birds showed no significant difference between the different dietary treatments. The cost of production per kilogram of live weight gain of birds maintained on the four dietary treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 were Rs. 26.42, 26.24, 27.25 and 27.79 respectively. Though there was a slight decrease in the cost of production of birds due to incorporation of squilla meal in place of unsalted dried fish at 50 per cent replacement, the difference was insignificant. However, 100 percent replacement of fish meal protein with squilla meal protein and amino acid supplementation to the same increased the cost of production (P < 0.01) with no corresponding increase in performance. From the results obtained in the present study it was inferred that squilla meal can be effectively included in broiler chicken diets to replace 50 per cent of fish meal protein without affecting growth, feed conversion efficiency and the cost of production.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of particle size of maize on the growth performance and digestibility of nutrients in crossbred (Large White Yorkshire x Desi) pigs(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Vasudevan, G; KAU; Viswanathan, T VAn investigation was carried out to assess the influence of particle size of maize on the growth performance, digestibility of nutrients and carcass quality in crossbred pigs. Twenty four female weaned crossbred (Large White Yorkshire x Desi) piglings with an average live weight of 14.5 kg were divided into three groups (Tj, T2 and T3) of eight animals as uniformly as possible. They were maintained on the same diet containing maize with the particle size of 3 mm, 1 mm and <0.1 mm, respectively for a period of five months. The average daily gains of 317, 335 and 373 g were recorded for the groups Tj, T2 and T3, respectively. The cumulative feed conversion ratios were 5.38, 5.08 and 4.57 for the groups Tl, T2 and T3, respectively. Finely ground maize in the diet of growing-finishing pigs improved average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency by 6 per cent each over medium ground maize and by 18 per cent and 15 per cent over coarsely ground maize, respectively. As the particle size of maize reduced an overall improvement in the digestibility of nutrients was observed. The pigs fed diet containing finely ground maize showed better nutrient digestibility than those fed with coarse or medium ground maize. Results of the studies on carcass traits revealed that there was no significant difference in the dressing percentage, carcass length, back fat thickness and loin eye area due to variation in the particle size of maize. Cost of feed per kg live weight of animals in the three groups Tl, T2 and T3 were Rs. 42.34,40.49 and 37.11, respectively. 2 This decrease in cost of feed per kg weight gain of pigs with reduction in the particle size of maize is due to better feed conversion efficiently as a result of increased nutrient digestibility. The above results confirm the positive influence of fme grinding of maize on the growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and nutrient digestibility in cross bred pigs. The additional benefit of reduced nutrient excretion due to increased digestibility will make swine husbandry more eco-friendly.