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Factors influencing calf growth and mortality in field and organised farms
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1994) Shaji, Antony .; KAU; Thomas, C K
A study was undertaken to evaluate the system of calf raising in the field vis – a – vis that in organised farms, which included contemporary calves born in field and organised farms. Mavelikkara was chosen as the study area from where the experimental field calves were selected. University Livestock Farm, Kerala Agricultural and Dhoni Farm, KLD Board, Palghat were chosen to represent organised farms in the experiment. All the calves born in the experimental area or farms during a period of two months were included in the experiment. Calves were studied upto period of six months of age. It was observed that climatic conditions in general were similar at the three locations except that at ULF, Mannuthy relative humidity and hours of bright sunshine tended to be less than the other two locations. The male calves in the farms weighed heavier at birth and gained faster to weigh significantly more at the 12th fortnight compared to those in the field. There was no significant difference in birth weight of farm and field born female calves. However, those in the farms grew faster to weigh significantly heavier at 12th fortnight. When male and female calves in the farms and field were put together and tested at 1st, 6th and 12th fortnights, the calves in the farms weighed significantly heavier than those in the field at all stages. The daily weight gain during different fortnights was higher in the farm grown calves compared to their counterparts in the field. There was no significant difference in height of male calves in the farm and field in the 1st fortnight but was significantly higher in the farm grown calves in the 6th and 12th fortnights. There was no significant difference in the height of the female calves in the farms and field in all the three fortnights tested. Information with respect to girth showed similar trend as in the case of weight and height. In the first fortnight, the male calves in the farms measured significantly shorter in length than those in the field but by 6th and 12th fortnights, they measured significantly longer than male calves in the field. There was no significant difference in length of female calves in the field and farms during the time intervals tested. In the field, calves received generally an adequate amount of colostrum through suckling. Those in the farm were fed 2 – 2.5 kg colostrum daily from the pail. The interval between birth and first nursing varied from 15 min to 2 h in the field. In the farms, calves born during day time received colostrum within half an hour, while those born in night received colostrum the next morning. Highest daily gain and lowest mortality was seen in calves fed colostrum within 15 minutes. It was observed that the quantity of milk available to female calves in the field was comparable to that in the farms. Male calves in the field received much lesser quantity. Female calves received more quantity of concentrates compared to males except in the early fortnights. Maximum daily gain of calves was observed in sheds with concrete flooring and tiled roofs. Monthly deworming was practised upto 12 months of age in the two farms studied. In the field all calves were dewormed during the 1st month only. Thereafter, female calves were given more frequent deworming treatment. Vaccination against Foot and Mouth disease was carried out in the farms but not in the field. Good hygiene and daily grooming increased the daily gain of calves. Better growth was seen when the animals were looked after by men than women. Average dairy awareness was observed in 90 per cent of the farmers. Daily gain of calves increased with increased dairy awareness. People with high school level education maintained their calves better than those with higher or lower levels of education. Calves grown by agricultural labourers seemed to have lower weight gain. Calves reared in larger units of land had a greater daily weight gain. The mortality rate among calves was 14 per cent in the field compared to 8.5 per cent in the farms. Mortality rate of 66.6 per cent was seen no colostrum was fed. There was no mortality among calves fed colostrum within 15 minutes. Male calves had higher mortality rate than female calves. Higher mortality rate was observed in calves born to first calvers. In field mortality was higher in 1st and 5th month of age. Mortality rate was lower when calves were looked after by men compared to women. The lowest calf mortality rate was observed among calves owned by those who had high school level education. Mortality rate among calves seemed to decrease with increasing dairy awareness of owners. Mortality rate of calves was highest in shed and premises with poor hygiene (50%) followed by medium hygiene (11.11%) and good hygiene (10.5%). Similarly daily grooming seemed to reduces mortality rate (11.9%) compared to weekly grooming (25%). At the end of 6 months, 92.85 per cent of the female calves were retained by the farmers compared to only 36.36 per cent male calves, clearly pointing towards the greater future economic utility of the former.
Open Access
Comparative draught capacity of cattle and buffaloes
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1994) Anil, K S; KAU; Thomas, C K
The draught performance of Kangayam bullocks were compared with that of graded Surti buffaloe bullocks under the agro climatic conditions of Kerala with a hot humid tropical climate Two pairs of adult Kangayam bullocks and two pairs of adult graded Surti buffaloe bullocks were used for ploughing both dry land and wet land at the rate of four hours a day during the summer season Physiological responses like respiratory rate pulse rate and rectal temperature and haemotological parameters like haemoglobin per cent erythrocyte sedimentation rate packed cell volume lactic acid and plasma bicarbonate were estimated before work immediately after work and after one hour of rest after work The dry matter intake and water intake on days of work and on days of no work were also measured and compared Other parameters like the area ploughed in one hour average speed of walking stride length and traction force developed during ploughing were also compared between the two species The buffaloe bullocks had significantly lower physiological responses before the start of work when compared to that of indigenous bullocks As a result of work the physiological responses increased significantly in both species The values were higher for buffaloes during dry ploughing The physiological responses including rectal temperature of buffaloes increased to a level indicative of distress due to heat stress There were also other signs of distress like frothing and drooling of saliva and protrusion of tongue But during wet ploughing the responses were not so marked in case of buffaloes and they did not show any apparent signs of distress The physiological responses decreased but did not reach the pre-exercise values after one hour of rest The haemoglobin per cent of blood packed cell volume and plasma bicarbonate content decreased significantly in cattle and buffaloes during dry and wet ploughing The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and blood lactic acid content showed a significant increase as a result of work One hour of rest was not sufficient to bring these parameters to pre exercise values Buffaloes consumed more DM when expressed in grams per kg metabolic body size Both species consumed more on days of no work The difference was more pronounced in case of buffaloes The water intake expressed as ml/kg metabolic body size was significantly higher for buffaloes both on days of work and on days of no work In both the species the water intake remained similar in days on which they were used for work and they were not used Kangayam bullocks ploughed significantly more area per unit time than graded Surti buffaloe bullock Cattle developed significantly more speed than buffaloes during dry ploughing But during wet ploughing the speed was almost same in both species Cattle showed more stride length during dry and wet ploughings than buffaloes But during wet ploughing the difference was negligible There was no significant difference in the traction power developed between cattle and buffaloes during dry or wet ploughings But both species developed higher horse power during wet ploughing Overall the results indicate that during summer in a hot humid tropical environment Kangayam bullocks can be used for dry as well as wet ploughings without any apparent ill effects Graded Surti buffaloe bullocks are on par with Kangayam bullocks under wet-ploughing However they seem to be under severe heat stress and also their work output inferior when used for a continuous 4 hour period of dry-land ploughing under similar climatic conditions
Open Access
Managemental effects of synchronization of oestrus in goats
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Shivkumar, S; KAU; Thomas, C K
An experiment was conducted to study the managemental effects of synchronization of oestrus in goats using parentral administration of PGF2 alpha, on a flock of Malabari, Malabari x Saanen and Malabari x Alpine goats maintained at the Agricultural University Goat Farm, Mannuthy. Forty cyclic goats were selected in pairs on the basis of similarity in genetic group, body weight and age. The does from each pair were allotted to two groups at random. Out of these one group at random formed the treatment group and the other control. The goats in the treatment group were given two injections of 10 mg (I/M) each of PGF2 alpha separated by 11 days, in two batches of 10 goats each. The animals were mated at the synchronized oestrus following the second PG injection. The does in the control group were mated as and when they came to oestrus. Heat detection in the does was carried out by parading the vasectomised bucks twice daily and by observing the behavioural manifestations of oestrus. The results and conclusions of the study are given below. The PGF2 alpha treated goats showed 75 and 100 per cent oestrus synchrony after a mean interval of 45.93+2.19h and 48.38+2.06 h following the. first and second injection of PGF2 alpha respectively. Of the various signs of oestrus only rapid waving of tail in the presence of male and vaginal mucous discharge were observed in all the does in oestrus. Various signs of oestrus behaviour including receptivity was found to be more pronounced in oestrus synchronized does using PGF2 alpha than in the controls. Mated does showed pricking of ear and arching of back as post coital reactions. Conception rate following mating at the first oestrus was better in the treatment group (85%) than the controls (75%). Body weight changes during pregnancy was not found to be affected by synchronization of oestrus with prostaglandin F2alpha. Mean gestation period in the treatment group was ,148.14+0.80 days compared to 143.88+0.78 days in the controls, the difference being significant (P < 0.05). Overall 61.3 per cent of the parturitions were observed to occur between 0600 to 1800 hours. Maternal behaviour studies showed no significant difference between the does in the control (av. score 3) and treatment group (av. Score 2.8). Multiparas were observed to possess better maternal Instinct than the primipara does. The new born kids attempted to stand up within 8 to 15 minutes and 68 per cent of them suckled from the dam's teat within one hour of birth. In the control group 88 per cent of the kiddings were singles and 11.77 per cent twins compared to 85.71 per cent singles and 14.29 per cent twins in the treatment group. Comparing the growth of kids with respect to body weights and body measurements at fortnightly intervals from birth to 90 days of age, showed that the growth rate of kids born from synchronized oestrus was similar to that of control kids. Suckling behaviour in the kids revealed that the overall mean duration of suckling was 2.61 minutes and mean rate of suckling was 49.65 g per minute. It was observed that the rate of butting and intensity of tail wagging increased as the flow of milk from the teats got reduced. The mean daily milk yield from first to thirteenth week of lactation in the control and treatment g roups were found to be 0.509+0.015 kg and 0.493+0.014 kg respectively. Man nours requirements to look after the does and raising the kids born to tham to 90 days of age in both the control and treatment group, revealed that there was a man hour saving of 12.3 per cent in the oestrus synchronized group (treatment) than the untreated controls.
Open Access
Effects of weight at weaning and plane of feeding on the onset of puberty in gilts
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Lalnuntluangi, Hmar; KAU; Rajagopalan, T G
Thirty six Large White Yorkshire weanling females of 8 kg (light weaners) and 12 kg (heavy weaners) were randomly maintained on three different planes of feeding with respect to crude protein (CP) and digestible energy (DE) viz. (i) NRC recommended levels as control, (ii) a high plane (HP) of 10 per cent increase of CP and DE with respect to NRC level and (iii) a low plane (LP) of 10 per cent decrease of CP and DE with respect to Nrc from weaning to puberty. The fortnightly and daily weight gain was higher in pigs fed NRC diet. The heavy weaners were having a better growth rate, daily gain, higher feed intake and attained puberty earlier than the light weaners, but the feed conversion efficiency was lower than light weaners. The heavy weaners on high plane attained puberty earlier than animals on NRC or low plane diet. In light weaners, NRC group attained puberty earlier than HP and LP group. In both heavy and light weaners, LP group attained puberty later than the other treatment groups. Plane of feeding has no significant effect on puberty attainment, oestrous cycle length and duration of pubertal cestrus but weight at weaning has a significant effect on the onset of puberty. Oestrous hehaviour expressed as scores was significantly affected by plane of feeding. The animals on high plane diet consumed less feed in both heavy and light weaners and have the highest feed conversion efficiency. The light weaners consumed feed comparatively lower and have better feed conversion efficiency than heavy weaners. The overall result suggested that heavy weaners on high plane diet are most efficient in feed conversion efficiency, economy and attainment of puberty at younger age. On the whole, the heavy weaners are more economical for replacement stock than light weaners.
Open Access
Influence of chitin on growth and fatty acid composition in growing pigs
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Chitta Ranjan, Pradhan; KAU; Rajagopalan, T G
A study was carried out to find out the influence of feeding chitin to pigs on their growth, carcass characteristics, blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and fatty acid profile of muscle and backfat. Twenty-four weaned female piglings of Large White Yorkshire breed were assigned to three groups of eight each. Two groups were fed chitin with a standard farm ration at levels of 0.5 per cent (Group I) and I per cent (Group 2), and the remaining group, which served as the control, was fed only the ration without addition of chitin (Group 3). All animals were housed individually and were fed in two I-hour feeding periods daily. Digestibility of chitin did not differ between the two chitin-fed groups. The percentage of digestibility increased from age 3 months (79.37 ± 1.85 to 80.49 ± 1.85) to 5 months (95.36 ± 1.13 to 96.54 ± 1.05) and thereafter remained constant at 7 months (95.35 ± 1.33 to 95.77 ± 1.57). The chitin-fed groups had significantly (P<0.05 or 0.01) higher body weights than the controls from 18th to 40th week of age. Compared with the controls, the chitin-fed groups had higher total gains in weight by 11 to 12 kg. Both the chitin-fed groups also had significantly (p<0.05 or 0.01) higher average daily gains than the controls from 18th to 40th week of age. The pigs in all groups showed a peak rate of gain at 32nd week of age. The chitin-fed groups also averaged higher body lengths, heights and girths, and also higher daily gains in these measures as compared with the control group. Daily feed intake increased with age of animals in all the groups. Daily feed intake did not differ significantly between the groups. For all the groups, maximum feed efficiency was recorded between 16th and 30th week of age. As compared with the controls, the chitin-fed groups showed higher feed efficiency. The difference between the control and chitin-fed groups were found to be significant (P<0.05) at the end of the experiment. The pigs in the chitin-fed groups averaged higher slaughter weights than the controls at 5, 7 and 9 months of age. For all the pigs in all groups, carcass length, ham weight and eye-muscle area showed higher percentages of gain between 5 and 7 months than between 7 and 9 months of age. The percentage of ham decreased with increase in age and weight of animals. The chitin-fed groups of pigs showed higher carcass lengths, ham weights and eye-muscle areas than the control group at each stage of slaughter. The backfat deposition showed a higher deposition between 5 and 7 months than between 7 and 9 months of age, while the majority of leaf fat deposition took place between 7 and 9 months of age. The percentage of leaf fat increased with increase in age and weight of animals in all the groups. The chitin-fed groups showed lower backfat thickness and lower percentages of leaf fat than the controls at each stage of slaughter. The increase in dressing percentage was found to be higher between 7 and 9 months than between 5 and 7 months of age, for all groups of pigs. The chitin-fed groups yielded higher dressing percentages than the control group at each stage of slaughter. The weight of internal organs increased with age of animals, whereas weight of internal organs as percentage of live weight decreased. The control group of pigs had higher percentages of internal organs than the chitin-fed groups at each slaughter age. The haemoglobin concentration, total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, and differential leukocyte count did not differ significantly between the groups of pigs at 5, 7 or 9 months of age. The pigs in group 2 averaged the lowest serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels followed by the pigs in group I and group 3, in that order, at 5,7 and 9 months of age. The difference in serum cholesterol concentration between the pigs in group 2 and the pigs in either group 1 or group 3 were found to be significant (p<0.05) at 7 months and highly significant (p<0.01) at 9 months of age. The serum triglyceride concentration followed the same trend as serum cholesterol concentration, between the groups of pigs. However, the differences were not found to be statistically significant. The fatty acid composition of muscle and backfat did not differ noticeably between the groups at 5 months of age. At the subsequent ages of 7 and 9 months, the chitin-fed groups showed markedly higher degree of unsaturation and lower saturation than the control group. Higher percentages of oleic acid and lower percentages of palmitic acid were recorded for the chitin-fed groups as compared with the control group. The results revealed that chitin had growth-promoting, hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic effect in pigs. It also improved the degree of unsaturation in pig meat.
Open Access
Effect of stocking density on the performance of growing pigs
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1992) Leena, K; KAU; Rajagopalan, T G
The objectives of the study were, to find out the minimum floor space requirement without affecting performance in growing pigs, to assess change in the pattern of behaviour in pigs due to change in stocking rates and to find out whether there is any effect of reduction in floor space upon the growth and carcass quality of pigs. Twenty seven large White Yorkshire weanling female pigs having an average body weight of 8.5 kg and 56 days of age were assigned at random to three treatment groups. In the first (control) group of six pigs, each received lm2 of floor space (as per ISI specification) while in the second group there were nine pigs and in the third group 12 pigs received 0.75 m2 and 0.5m2 of floor space per pig respectively. Animals were provided with concentrate and allowed to consume as much as they could within a period of one hour. Total weight gain of 58.5 kg, 56.22 kg and 55.46 kg were noticed in control group, group two and group three respectively. Variations of average fortnightly body weight of pigs due to stocking density were not found to be significant. Similar trend were noticed in the case of height, length and girth. When the feed conversion efficiency was taken as whole, it was found to be highest in group III (3.746 + 0.667) and lowest in group I (3.960 + 0.864). The animals of group II were showing feed conversion efficiency between group I and group III (3.798 + 0.744). Aggressive behaviour was measured by counting the number of threats and number of ear – biting incidence. These parameters were found to be highest at higher stocking densities. When the dressing percentage with head is taken and compared to per unit weight, no apparent difference was observed between the groups (1.096; 1.360 and 1.118 per cent respectively for group I, II and III). Similar was the trend in half carcass weight, weight of the ham, carcass length and eye muscle area. The back fat thickness was found to be similar in group I and III (2.41 cm and 2.388 cm respectively) and less in group II (1.499 cm). From the experimental result to significant difference could be observed in the performance of those pigs having a floor space as per ISI specification and the one where the floor space reduced to the extent of 50 percentage.
Open Access
Effect of season of birth and energy levels of feed on production performance of pigs
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1992) Sebastian, K S; KAU; Rajagopalan, T G
A detailed investigation was carried out to study the effect of season and level of energy intake on growth rate, feed efficiency, carcass quality and economics of production of fattening pigs reared upto a slaughter weight of 90 kg. Thirty two weaner pigs of large white Yorkshire breed belonging to the University Pig Breeding Farm, Mannuthy born in two seasons were distributed under two dietary treatments. All animals were slaughtered on attaining the target weight of 90 kg. Animals born in season II were superior to animals born in season I in all the parameters like growth rate, feed efficiency, average daily gain and carcass characteristics. The energy level in the ration had a moderate influence on the performance of grower pigs. Animals on NRC level of feed were found to be better than animals on 15 per cent less than NRC levels in all the traits under study except for fat characteristics. The cost production per kg pork was found to be less (Rs 18.72) in NRC group. The overall results obtained during the course of present study is that the unit cost of production is less for animals maintained on NRC level of ration. Animals born in season II were found to be better than animals born in season I in production performances.

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