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1993 - 19942
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Subject: Animal Nutrition × End date: 1994 × Start date: 1990 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of dried spleen as growth stimulator in kid rations
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1994) Shyama, K; KAU; James, C S
    An investigation was carried out to assess the effect of dried spleen as a growth promotant in kid rations. Twenty four female Malabari kids with an average body weight of 8.5 kg were distributed randomly and as uniformly as possible into four groups (groups 1, 11, 111 and IV) of six animals each, with regard to age and weight. The four dietary treatments A, B, C and D were allotted to the kids in the groups 1, 11, 111 and IV respectively, ration A with a concentrate mixture containing 16 per cent crude protein supplemented with dried buffalo spleen at the rate of 0.1 per cent, ration B forming the control diet at 16 per cent protein level without incorporation of spleen, ration C with a concentrate mixture containing 12 per cent crude protein supplemented with dried buffalo spleen at the rate of 0.1 per cent, ration D forming the control diet at 12 per cent protein level. Jack leaves formed the sole source of roughage to the animals. The experimental duration was 120 days. The results indicated that incorporation of dried spleen in the ration enhanced the growth performance of animals, especially in animals maintained on low level of protein, as evidenced by the cumulative and average daily weight gain registered in that descending order being 7.52 kg and 62.64 g, 7.4 kg and 61.67 g, 6.88 kg and 57.36 g and 5.00 kg and 41.67 g for the animals maintained on rations C, A, B and D respectively. The efficiency of feed and protein utilisation also exhibited the same trend. It was also noticed that, a cost of production per kilogram gain of Rs.32.58 and 26.14 were registered for animals maintained on spleen incorporated rations (rations A and C) as against Rs.35.08 and 38.63 respectively for the animals maintained on corresponding control groups (ration B and D) indicating a better cost efficiency in spleen incorporated groups, especially in animals maintained on low level of crude protein in the ration. The haematological studies reveal that R.B.C., W. B. C., haemoglobin, plasma protein, plasma calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were within the normal range prescribed for the species. The animals maintained on ration C showed a significant increase (P < 0.01) in plasma calcium level when compared to that of the control. Digestibility studies reveal no significant difference in digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen free extract between the four groups. Animals maintained on the spleen incorporated rations (groups 1 and 111) showed better digestibility (P < 0.01) of crude protein and ether extract than the respective control groups (groups 11 and IV). Incorporation of dried spleen could not bringforth any influence on fibre digestion. The results of the balance experiment showed better retention of nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the animals maintained on spleen incorporated diets. The higher retention of these parameters could be substantiated by the comparatively lower faecal and urinary excretion of these, in animals maintained on spleen incorporated rations (rations A and C). An overall assessment of the results, indicated that incorporation of dried buffalo spleen in the ration of goats, at the rate of 0.1 per cent, certainly augment the nutrient utilisation by increasing the digestibility and retention, and can be recommended as a harmless natural growth promotant with economic benefit.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nutritive evaluation of prawn waste -paddy straw silage in cattle
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Jose James; KAU; Ramachandran, P
    Prawn waste was ensiled with chopped paddy straw in equal proportions (1:1 wet basis) using 10 per cent tapioca flour as additive for a period of 50 days. The same proportions of ingredients were mixed and ensiled in smaller silos for 21 days to study the silage characteristics. The prawn waste – paddy straw silage formed after both the periods of ensiling were similar with a characteristic brownish colour and desirable aroma and had no evidence of any fungal growth. Ensiling resulted in an increase in fibre fractions and decrease in crude protein contents, with significant (P < 0.01) differences in nutrient levels between silages after 21 days and 50 days of fermentation. The water soluble carbohydrate content and pH declined significantly (P < 0.01) over different periods of ensiling. The volatile fatty acid proportion in prawn waste – paddy straw silage was optimum after 21 days of fermentation, acetic acid being the predominant one. With increase in period of ensiling, acetic acid levels declined while butyric acid levels increased about five fold, without any change in propionic acid concentration. Trimethylamine levels showed a significant (P < 0.01) increase after different periods of ensiling. Three digestion experiments (Trial 1, 11 and 111) were carried out using six, adult, dry, nonpregnant cows with grass hay (basal ration) alone, grass hay plus paddy straw and grass hay plus prawn waste – paddy straw silage respectively. The overall results of the feeding experiments indicated that prawn waste – paddy straw silage is relished and well digested by cattle as evidenced by a relatively higher feed intake and digestibility coefficients of nutrients. A critical evaluation of the results obtained during the course of the present investigation indicated that prawn waste can be satisfactorily ensiled with paddy straw and tapioca flour as additive and that the material can form a potential alternate feed source for cattle, worth studying in detail.