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ThesisItem Open Access Influence of different levels of energy on growth performance of crossbred pigs(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Rekha, P; KAU; George, MathenAn experiment was conducted to assess •the influence of different levels of energy on the growth performance of crossbred (Large White Yorkshire x Desi) pigs. Fifteen male (castrated) and fifteen female weaned crossbred piglets with an average body weight of 12.9 kg were divided into three equal groups as uniformly as possible with regard to age, sex and body weight. The three groups of piglets were maintained on three rations with 16 per cent crude protein but differing in their energy content, viz., 2800 kcal (T1), 3000 kcal CT2) and 3200 kcal (TI) of digestible energy (DE) per kg. The average daily gains recorded for the three groups T1, T2 and TI were 262.9, 302.0 and 362.8 g respectively. The cumulative feed conversion efficiencies were 6.0, 5.2 and 4.1 for the groups T1, T2 and TI respectively. The values recorded for TI were higher (P<0.01) than those for T1 and T2. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients except that of crude fibre and crude protein were found to improve with increase in the energy content of the rations. Study of the carcass traits revealed that the body weight at slaughter and dressed weight without head improved as the energy content of the rations increased. However, dressing percentage, carcass length and back fat thickness were not significantly influenced by the energy content of the ration. The cost of feed per kg weight gain of animals was significantly lower (P<0.01) for the dietary treatment T3 compared to that of T2 and Tl, the values being Rs.49.90, 43.30 and 34.10 for Tl, T2 and T3 respectively. The above results indicate that crossbred pigs require 3200 kcal of DE/kg of the ration for better growth performance provided the crude protein level is maintained at 16 per cent.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of supplementation of dried yeast (Nutramix - Mdy) on growth performance of pre- ruminant calves(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2002) Asitha, T V; KAU; Mercy, A DAn experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary supplementation of dried yeast (''Neutramix-MDY'') on growth performance of pre-ruminant calves. Twelve calves of one week to one month of age were distributed into two groups of six calves each, as uniformly as possible with regard to age, sex and body weight, with one group receiving the control diet (calf starter, grass and milk) and the other group receiving dried yeast ("Neutramix-MDY") @ 20g/day along with the control diet. The final body weight (kg) and average daily gain (g/day) were 72.5 and 247 for control group and 76.2 and 284 for treatment group during the trial period. Though there was no statistically significant difference between the control and the treatment group, there was a numerical increase in both the parameters in treatment animals. The average feed to gain ratio was 4.94 and 4.60 for the control and treatment group respectively. There was no improvement in dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities in yeast fed group over the control. Haematological parameters such as blood glucose, plasma protein, calcium and phosphorus were unaffected by the dietary treatment. The above results indicate that supplementation of yeast culture to the diets of pre- ruminant calves had no statistically significant effect on animal performance.ThesisItem Open Access Nutritive evaluation of prawn waste for growth in large white yorkshire pigs(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2002) Madhukumar, U; KAU; Viswanathan, T VAn experiment was conducted to assess the nutritive value of prawn waste for growth in Large White Yorkshire pigs. Thirty female pigs with an average body weight of 31.4 kg were divided into three equal groups as uniformly as possible with regard to age and body weight. The three groups of pigs were maintained on three different experimental diets viz., Tl control standard grower (16 per cent CP) and finisher ration (14 per cent CP), T2 - 25 per cent of total protein in Tl replaced by protein from prawn waste and T 3 - 50 per cent of total protein in T 1 replaced by protein from prawn waste. The average daily gain recorded for the three groups T1, T2 and T3 were 385.5, 393.3 and 381.1 g respectively. The cumulative feed conversion efficiencies were 4.87, 4.73 and 4.89 for the groups T1, T2 and T3 respectively. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients were significantly higher in T2 for dry matter (p<0.05) and crude protein (pwas found significantly higher (p and T2. The digestibility coefficients of crude fibre and ether extract were almost similar for all the three groups. Study of the carcass characteristics revealed that dressing percentage, carcass length, back fat thickness, loin eye area and ham weight were not significantly influenced by the inclusion of prawn waste at different levels. The cost of feed per kg weight gain of animals in different treatments Tl and T2 and T3 were Rs. 29.95, 23.84 and 21.18 respectively. The above results indicate that, prawn waste can be used economically to replace the protein of the grower and finisher rations for pigs up to 50 per cent level.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of monensin supplementation on growth and bioavailability of minerals in kids(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Sindhu, P R; KAU; Gangadevi, PAn investigation spread over a period of 13 weeks was carried out to assess the effect of monensin on growth and bioavailability of minerals in kids. Eighteen Malabari kids of three to four months of age divided into three identical groups formed the experimental subject. The kids in groups I, Il and III were maintained on concentrate mixtures supplemented with 0, 20 and 30 ppm monensin respectively along with jack leaves fed ad libitum as the sole source of roughage, for a period of 13 weeks. Increase in body weight, feed conversion efficiency, dry matter intake, digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen balance, mineral balance and serum mineral concentration of kids were the criteria employed for evaluation. The weight gained by the animals during the experimental period was highest in group III followed by groups II and I in the descending order, group II and III showing significantly higher weight gain (p < 0.01) than group 1. This is suggestive of the positive influence of monensin on the growth of kids. Maximum improvement in feed conversion efficiency was shown by kids in group Ill, followed by group Il and group I. Though there was no significant difference (p < 0.05) between the two monensin supplemented groups (groups Il and Ill), both had significant improvement (P < 0.01) over the controls. The dry matter intake per 100 kg body weight was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in groups Il and III than group I, but no significant difference was recorded in a verage daily dry matter intake between the three groups. Regarding the nutrient digestibility an increasing trend In the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract and nitrogen free extract• was noticed (P > 0.05)• in monansm supplemented groups over the non •supplemented control group. Nitrogen retention (per cent of intake) was highest In group IH and lowest in group I, with significant increase (P < 0.01) in monensin supplemented groups (groups Il and Ill) over group I. Though there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in per cent retention of calcium, phosphorus, i r on, copper, zmc and manganese between the monensin supplemented and non-supplemented groups, an increasing trend was observed in the percentage r eterrtion of major as well as trace minerals on monensin supplementation. The haematological constituents VIZ., haemoglobin, plasma protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc and manganese in kids of various groups were within the normal range. There was no significant influence (P > 0.05) of monensin on haematological values. From an overall evaluation of the results obtained during the course of the present investigation :it can be inferred that supplementation of monensin at 20 and 30 ppm level significantly (P < 0.01) improves the growth rate, feed efficiency and nitrogen retention, reduces the dry matter consumption and favours (P > 0.05) nutrient digestibility and utilization of major as well as trace mi ner al s in kids reared under intensive system of management.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of energy supplementation on growth of crossbred heifers(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Sunil Wilson; KAU; Mercy, A DAn investigation was carried out to assess the effect of energy supplementation on growth of crossbred heifers. Eighteen crossbred heifers with an average age of 15 months and were distributed into three groups as uniformly as possible with regard to age and body weight. The dietary treatments TI, T2, and T3 were randomly allotted to each group. The three dietary treatments were Tl - control diet (concentrate mixture + straw) as per ICAR recommendations, T2 - control diet supplemented with 0.5 kg ground maize and T3 - control diet supplemented with 1 kg ground maize. The animals maintained on the three dietary treatments Tl , T2 and T3 showed an average daily body weight gain of 535.47,602.15 and 631.18 g respectively during the experimental period of 155 days. Statistical analysis of the body weight gain showed no significant difference between the three dietary treatment groups. The average daily dry matter intake was significantly higher (Pin the animals maintained on T3 ration compared to Tl and 1'2. However the dry matter intake as percentage of body weight remained similar in the heifers fed the three experimental diets. The energy supplementation did not seem to have any effect on the feed to gain and protein efficiency ratios of the crossbred heifers. Energy supplementation to the crossbred heifers had no effect on any of the rumen fermentation characteristics as pH, total volatile fatty acid concentration and ammonia nitrogen concentration of the rumen liquor.• The plasma levels of calcium and phosphorus also remained similar for the animals maintained on the three dietary treatments. A significant increase in the digestibilities of dry matter (P<0.05) and crude protein (Pobserved in the animals supplemented with maize at 0.5 (12) and 1 kg (T3) levels as an energy source compared to the control (TI). However the digestibilities of ether extract, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre remained unaffected by the extra energy supplementation. An improved reproductive performance was exhibited by the animals maintained on T3 ration. The cost of feed for producing unit gain was almost similar for the three dietary treatments. Thus a critical assessment of the overall results obtained during the course of the present study did not reveal any significant effect of energy supplementation on the growth, feed efficiency, rumen fermentation characteristics and the plasma levels of calcium and phosphorus. However, energy supplementation improved the dry matter and crude protein digestibilities. The reproductive performance of the animals was also better in the high energy supplemented group.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of complete feed for meat production in calves(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2002) Ajith, K S; KAU; George MathenAn experiment was carried out in three months old crossbred calves with an aim to utilize male and surplus female calves for meat production. Eighteen crossbred calves were grouped into three, considering body weight, breed, sex and age. Animals of group A and B received complete feed consisting of a concentrate mixture and grass hay, with eight (Ration A) and twelve per cent crude fibre (Ration B) respectively, while the animals of group C received the conventional control ration consisting concentrate and green grass (Ration C). During the experimental period of five months fortnightly body weights and body measurements were recorded. The body weights and body measurements except chest girth showed significant increase (Pcomplete rations. The average daily body weight gain (AOG) showed significant increase (Pthose fed control ration while the cumulative feed conversion efficiency was significantly higher for group A (Pgroup C. The average daily body weight gain obtained in the experiment were 668.83 ± 22.37, 658.55 ± 35.41 and 497.83 ± 33.35 g/day and the cumulative feed conversion efficiency were 4.71 ± 0.15,5.57 ± 0.37 and 6.99 ± 0.42 for A, B and C groups respectively. The digestibility coefficients for dry matter and crude fibre were significantly higher (Pthose fed complete rations, while crude protein digestibility was lower for ration A (P<0.05) and ration B (P obtained were 50.80 ± 0.70, 51.30 ± 1.43 and 45.17 ± 1.25 with a meat yield of 34.60 ± 0.15, 35.30 ± 1.12 and 30.73 ± 1.24 for A, B and C groups respectively. The gross profit per animals for five months was calculated as Rs.1399.00, Rs.l550.00 and Rs.632.25 for A, Band C groups respectively.
