Theses

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 12

Open Access
Effect of enrichment of environment and halothane sensitivity on performance of large white yorkshire and desi pigs
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Joseph Mathew; KAU; Thomas, C K
The effect of environmental variables, halothane sensitivity and environmental enrichments in the form of wallowing, water sprinkling and access to a shaded range on various production and reproduction traits of exotic(LWY) and Desi pigs was assessed by conducting a study in Kerala Agricultural University Pig Breeding Farm , Mannuthy (UPBF). Significant correlations were found between environmental variables and important production and reproduction traits in both breeds . The incidence o f . halothane sensitivity was found to be higher in LWY when compared to that of Desi.A clear breed difference was noticed between Desi and LWY with respect to traits such as body weight,daily weight gain,body measurements, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency(FCE), weaning weight,cost of production for unit meat and weaned piglet.Environmental enrichments were found to- be beneficial for most of the traits such as body weight, daily weight gain,FCE,conception rate,live litter size at birth,birth weight,litter weight at weaning ' and average weaning weight.When halothane sensitive animals were better in FCE and growth rate, halothane resistant animals came out with good reproduction results.But positive animals with environmental enrichments performed better than negative in certain traits.The biochemical traits associated with halothane sensitivity were inconsistent.But clear trends with breed and genetic groups existed between halothane positive and negative animals.An apparently clear interaction between breeds, genotype and environmental enrichments were niticed in certain production and reproduction traits.Provision for access to a shaded range was found to be beneficial for fattening pigs with respect to FCE and growth rate.Wallowing and water sprinkling have got negative effect on these traits.But for reproduction traits all the above enrichments had beneficial effeet.Based on the observations and the results suitable combinations of various environmental enrichments for different breeds, genotypes and purpose were’ designed which may be used as tools for developing managemental systems under different situations.
Open Access
Feeding techniques to enhance the growth in calves
(Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1999) Reny, K Oommen; KAU; Thomas, C K
With the objective of investigating the feasibility of the technique of liquid feeding of concentrates to calves through nipple buckets with and with out incorporation of blood meal in the ration, 24 calves below one month of age at Cattle Breeding Farm Thumburmuzhy, Kerala Agricultural university were randomly allotted to four treatment groups. The four treatment groups were Tl - dry feeding and no supplementation of blood meal. Tz - dry feeding and supplementation with blood meal T3 - liquid feeding and no supplementation with blood meal. T. - liquid feeding .and supplementation with blood meal. The dry feeding groups were offered feed in feeding baskets and the same feed suspended in water was fed to liquid feeding groups through feeding nipples fixed on aluminium buckets. The experiment was conducted during the months of April to September, 1997 where the temperature Humidity Index values were above 75 per cent indicating a stressful environment due to the combined effect of high temperature and high humidity which adversely affected the growth of calves in all four treatment groups. Intakes of water, concentrate and roughage were not significantly different between treatment groups but liquid feeding group showed a slightly higher trend on water intake. There was no significant difference between treatment groups in terms of live weight gain, body length, height and chest girth. But the general trend varied for live weight and chest girth. Body weights were lower in T) and T4 groups where liquid feeding was resorted to. The dry feeding group had better chest girth than liquid feeding group which reflected in their live weight gain also. Monthly values of haematocrit, haemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum glucose, serum cholesterol and plasma protein were not significantly different between treatment groups. But treatment groups receiving blood meal showed slightly higher haemoglobin per cent. The plasma protein values were slightly higher in groups receiving ration in dry form which had a higher daily weight gain. Treatment groups on liquid diet had more episodes of diarrhea than those on dry diet. Treatment groups showed no significant difference with regard to carcass characteristics but the trend indicated higher meat yield from groups receiving dry feed. Only during the last two months, i.e., in the fifth and sixth months when the rumen is somewhat fully developed, some beneficial effect of liquid mode of feeding was evident. Liquid feeding through nipple is known to bypass rumen and in animals with ill developed ~umen, liquid feeding should show beneficial effects on growth. In the present 'study such a difference could not be observed possibly due to the fact that all the rations contained fish meal which has high content of protein escaping rumen degradation. The level of 30 per cent replacement of protein by blood meal showed no retardation in feed intake or growth in the experimental animals.
Open Access
Heat stress alleviating measures for crossbred cows
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1999) Thirumurugan, P; KAU; Saseendran, P C
An experiment was conducted to find the effect of sprinkling water on crossbred cows during summer season oKerala. Twelve early lactating crossbred cows were selected and put into four groups of three each and were randomly allotted to four treatments as open house with sprinkler (T1), open house without sprinkler (T2), tie-barn with sprinkler (T3) and tie-barn without sprinkler (T4). The mean maximum temperature recorded in the T1, T2, T3 and T4 locations were 32.03, 32.17, 33.27 and 33.40oC respectively and these were lower than the maximum temperature recorded outside the animal houses (35.45oC). Both within the tie-barn and within the open house, the mean maximum and minimum temperatures and mean relative humidity morning and afternoon did not differ significantly due to sprinkling of water.But the differences between the tie-barn and open house were highly significant (P<0.01) and higher in the tie-barn for all these variables. Physiological reaction such as rectal temperature, respiratory rate and cardiac rate did not vary significantly between treatments for morning recording. For afternoon recording the differences were highly significant. Sprinkling of water in T1 and T3 markedly reduced the diurnal rise in physiological norms compared to T4. The difference between T2 and T3 was comparable. Mean weekly milk yield of cows in T1, T2 and T3 increased by 4.70, 1.22 and 1.71 kg per head respectively compared with T4. Milk composition such as total solids, solids not fat, protein and fat percentages did not vary significantly between treatments. Green grass consumption differed significantly between treatments and highest in the T1 (26.16 kg per cow). Daily water consumption differed significantly between treatments and highest in the T4 (31.72 kg). Haemoglobin, packed cell volume and erythrocyte sedimentation rate differed significantly (P<0. 01) between treatments. There was a uniform loss in body weights of all the experimental cows as lactation progressed upto the peak yield stage, thereafter the cows had shown tendency to regain body weights irrespective of the type of treatment given. Sprinkling water in T1 and T3 encouraged the feeding and rumination of cows during hot hours of the day and consumed significantly more feed. Sprinkling of water in T1 and T3 increased the intensity and duration of oestrus 'and successful insemination rate. The results suggest that during the summer season of Kerala tree shade or simple shade areas with roof supported on pillors affording maximum ventilation and sprinkling or splashing of water during hot hours of the day may be practiced to alleviate heat stress and reduce drop in milk production and fertility rate during summer.
Open Access
Effect of modified environment during summer on the performance of growing pigs
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1998) Subramanian, T; KAU; Sebastian, K S
An investigation was carried out to study the environment variables and the effect of modified housing conditions on the physiological norms and growth performance. during the dry season on the large white Yorkshire grower pigs. The modified housing include, Tl - without wallow and sprinkler, T2 - with wallow only, T3 - with sprinkler only and T4 - with wallow and sprinkler as the four treatment groups. The dry season (summer) characterised by higher ambient temperature (maximum temperature - 31.5° to 37°C, m: _ "_LllUm temperature 22.8 to 26.1 °C, mean temperature 27.4°C ._0 31.3°C), comparatively lower relative humidity (mean RH 63.15 to 75.68%) and wind speed (2.75 to 7.8 km/h). The b'~gher range of temperature was sufficient to cause stress OH the performance of the grower pigs as per the literatures. The treatment (T1) without wallow and sprinkler varies significantly (Prate, cardiac rate both in the forenoon and afternoon from the T2, T3 and T4 groups, i. e., Tl has shown more of phys Lo Lc g i.ca L stress reaction than other treatment groups. T4 was fo' n~ to be mo re : comfortable than T1• T2 and T3 were hav:'. 9 no significant difference except in afternoon body temper ture and respiration rate. There were no statistically significant (P<0.05) difference between treatment groups in the fortnightly body weight gain from the first fortnight to upto twelfth '"fortnight. The twelfth fortnight body weight of the treatments Tl, T2, T3 and T4 were 70.833 ± 2.114, 69.333 ± 5.816, 73.333 ± 5.681 and 71.667 ± 5.975. There were also no significant difference in the body length, chest girth and body height among the treatment groups in the fortnightly observations. Though Tl had shown significant (P<0.05) rise of physiological norms that had not reached upto the level of growth retardation. The overall fortnightly rate of gain (kg) and average daily gain (g) of the treatment groups of Tl, T2, T3 and T4 were 5.08 ± 0.60, 4.97 ± 0.54, 5.28 ± 0.56 and 5.17 ± 0.60 and 339 ± 39. 9 , 330 . 9 ± 36. I, 351 . 7 ± 37. 6 and 343. 9 ± 36. 0 . Under restricted feeding regime, T3 was having relatively better feed conversion efficiency and lower cost per kg of live weight pr'oduct.Lon than T4, Tl and T2• The convers on efficiency of Tl, T2, T3 and T4 were 4.05, 4.15, 3.91 and 3.99 and cost per kg of live weight production 36.16, 37.03, 35.05 and 35.81. Based on the observations and the results suitable method of environment modification during the dry season for grower pigs can be recommended.
Open Access
Draught efficiency of asian elephants (Elephas maximus indicus)
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1996) Anil Kumar Nair; KAU; Saseendran, P C
The draught performance of elephants were assessed on the basis of the degree of variation from the normal physiological haematological parameters during different hours of operation with different draft. The ability of the elephants to carry out work with different draft were observed on the of basis of fatigue score card and distress signs exhibited by the animal during different hour of operation with different draft. Six elephants were utilized for the study, the elephants were put to work for a period of 3 hour of continuous work from 7 AM to 10 AM, followed by 1 hour rest and 1 hour work after rest with different draft. Physiological responses like respiratory rate, pulse rate, rectal temperature and haematological parameters like haemoglobin per cent, packed cell volume, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, serum glucose, serum protein, serum calcium, serum phosphorus, serum creatinine, were estimated before before work, immediately after 1 hour, 2 hour, 3 hour followed by one hour rest and 1 hour work after rest. Other parameters like average speed of walking, draft and horsepower developed by elephants were also estimated. As a result of work the physiological responses increased significantly. The physiological responses showed maximum increase at 3 hour of work at 30 per cent draft indicative of distress. There were also other physical signs of distress like frequent spraying of saliva, refusal to work and dragging of feet. The physiological responses decreased but did not reach the pre – exercise values after one hour of rest. The haemoglobin percent of blood, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count decreased significantly after work. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate shows significant increase after work. The other parameters like average speed, decreased significantly as the duration work progressed. No significant difference were observed in mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular haemoglobin. Serum glucose content decreased significantly after work serum creatinine significantly increased after work. Overall, the results indicate that the elephants at 10 per cent draft can work for 3 hour continuously without showing any signs at distress, obtaining a comfortable fatigue score below 10. At 20 per cent draft animal starts showing the sign of distress at 3 hour of work with a fatigue score reaching upto 16.63. At 30 per cent draft the elephants starts exhibiting the signs of distress signs at the end of 2 hour of work itself and at 3 hour work the animal is highly fatigued with the fatigue score reaching 20.65. The elephants reaching fatigue score of above 15 were found fatigued.
Open Access
Effect of housing systems on the reproductive performance of sows and gilts
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1998) Ramesh, V; KAU; Saseendran, P C
An experiment was conducted to findout the affect of housing systems on the reproductive performance of sows and gilts. Three types of housing systems namely, conventional house with wallowing tank (control T1), conventional house with sprinklers (T2) and range system (T3) were put to test. Eighteen sows and eighteen gilts were reared under each system. A significantly lower (P<0.01) temperature was observed in sprinkler system (33.00C) when compared to conventional (35.00C) and range (34.35°C). There was no significant difference in relative humidity between the groups. Significant difference (P<0.01) between treatment groups Tl with T2 and T3 in age at puberty and mating in gilts which were 305.47 ± 9.51, 270.36 ± 8.75 and 276.22 ± 5.65 respectively. The gilts under the treatment group T2 and T3 had reached puberty and were mated earlier than Tl group. The weight of gilts at the time of breeding was significantly (P<0.05) lower in treatment group T3 (75.39 ± 3.19) when compared to T2(97.63 ± 3.09) and Tl (93.11 ± 3.73). But T3 group gilts had compensatory weight gain during pregnancy and difference between treatment groups in weight of gilts at one week after farrowing and at weaning were non significant. The weight of sows at the time of breeding, one week after farrowing and at weaning were significantly lower (P<0.05) in treatment group T2 when compared to T3 and Tl Significantly higher (P<0.0l) percentage of oestrus occurrence, breeding success and intensity of oestrus were observed in T2 and T3 group than Tl group. The gestation length and post weaning oestrus period were found to be non-significantly different between the groups. The litter size at birth and weaning were 9.06 ± 0.26 and 6.87 ± 0.22 respectively in gilts and 9.38 ± 0.33 and 6.92 ± 0.05 respectively in sows reared under range system (Tl) which were highly significant (P<0.0l) than the litter size at birth and weaning obtained for gilts (5.8S ± 0.40 and 4.00 ± 0.69 respectively) and sows (7.09 ± 0.68 and 4.63 ± 0.70 respectively) reared under conventional system (T1). Between T2 .and T3 there was no significant difference. The litter weight at birth and weaning in T3 groups of 13.89 ± 0.43 kg and 62.72 ± 1.99 kg respectively in gilts and 14.35 ± 0.52 kg and 63.84 ± 4.04 kg respectively in sows were found to be highly significant than Tl group and non significantly higher than T2 group. The cost of installing sprinkler in conventional pen and providing range in place of conventional pen were estimated to be Rs.29/m2 and Rs.125/m2 respectively. In the present study the reproductive performance of pigs maintained under sprinkler and range system was found to be better than the pigs maintained under conventional system. But the range system may not be practical and economically feasible always when compared to sprinkler system.
Open Access
Effect of exercise on the physiological norms of horses
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Sandhya, S; KAU; Rajagopalan, T G
In order to study the effect of exercise on the physiological norms of the horses, six horses belonging to the I (K) Mounted Squadron N.C.C. of Kerala Agricultural University were divided at random into groups of three animals. First was subjected to an exercise regime in the first month while the other remained as control. Groups were switched over every month. The parameters studied were body temperature, respiratory rate, heart beat, red blood cell count, packed cell volume, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, glucose and lactic acid, before exercise, after exercise and after one and half hours of rest. The results obtained are tabulated. ________________________________________________________ Parameters Before After After Exercise exercise rest Body temperature 37.72 + 0.064 39.06 + 0.027 38.08 + 0.116 (0C) Respiration rate 21.13 + 0.538 84.28 + 0.805 24.47 + 0.63 Per minute Heart beat per minute 36.19 + 0.083 66.57 + 1.32 41.63 + 1.53 RBO count per 7.29 + 0.049 8.03 + 0.039 7.44 + 0.0498 Million/cc PCV (%) 35.50 + 1.011 44.16 + 1.033 36.44 + 0.812 ESR mm/30 minutes 56.51 + 1.106 37.97 + 2.93 51.46 + 0.95 Glucose (mg%) 73.03 + 0.698 59.45 + 1.242 71.81 + 1.68 Lactic acid (mmol/L) 1.60 + 0.095 1.79 + 0.108 1.61 + 0.095 ________________________________________________________________ Exercise significantly changes all the physiological parameters except body temperature which was kept fairly constant by horses. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were found to cause stress in the horses. Parameters like respiratory rate and heart beat were considerably increased after exercise to keep the body temperature fairly constant in horses. In spite of one and half hours of rest the body temperature, respiratory rate, heart beat, red blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and glucose content could not reach the normal level. However the lactic acid level and packed cell volume could be brought back to the normal level after one and half hours of rest. Age and stages of conditioning of horses were found to influence the level of physiological parameters and time needed to bring them back to the normal level.
Open Access
Influence of management systems on growth of Malabari goats
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Ralston Sebastian Edward, G; KAU; Francis Xavier
An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of . management systems on growth of Malabari goats. Thirty Malabari kids aged three to four months of age were selected randomly and allotted to three treatments. Kids under treatment I were fed complete feed and managed intensively. Animals under treatment II and III, were maintained under Intensive and Semi-intensive systems. Animals maintained on complete feed registered a better growth rate from second to fourth month. Whereas animals in Semi-intensive system showed a better final growth. Body weight was significantly influenced by the period in all the treatments. Kids under Semi-intensive system showed a better height and length, whereas kid, under Intensive system showed a better girth measurement. In morphometric observations females had a significantly higher value compared to males. The body measurements also showed a significant difference between fortnights and it increased with age, in all three treatments. The experimental period was divided into hot-dry and rainy periods based on climatological observations. Physiological norms like rectal temperature, heart rate and respiration rate showed significantly higher rates in animals kept under Semi-intensive system of management. A highly significant difference in the diurnal observations in the physiological norms were noted. But there was no sexual dimorphism in physiological norms. There was no significant difference in haemoglobin level between treatments and between seasons. The goats fed on feed under Intensive management system showed a better dressing percentage but there was no significant difference in other carcass traits between treatments.
Open Access
Effect of transportation on the performance and carcass traits of halothane sensitive pigs
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Manju Sasidharan; KAU; Saseendran, P C
A study to assess the effect of transportation on the performance and carcass traits of halothane sensitive pigs was carried out. Twenty four weaner piglets were selected after screening for halothane sensitivity. Twelve piglets, six from halothane positive and six from halothane negative were transported. The halothane negative pigs showed more aggressive behaviour during transport, and the loss in body weight was significantly (P < 0.01) higher for the halothane negative pigs. A transportation for 150 km (Five hours) did not affect the further growth performance, average fortnightly gain and feed conversion efficiency. At 210 days of age the transported group was subjected to a second transportation of 150 km and were slaughtered and carcass characteristic were studied. Shrinkage was more for halothane negative group. The live weight at slaughter, carcass length dressing percentage, loin eye area, backfat thickness and organ weights did not show any significant difference. The meat pH was lower for halothane positive pigs and transported group indicative of pale soft exudative (PSE) condition. The crude fat content of liver and kidney did not differ between any of the groups. Packed cell volume and blood pH did not vary between the groups. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for transported halothane positive group. There was no significant difference in serum lactate dehydrogenase content. But serum creatine phosphokinase was higher for halothane positive pigs and the values increased on transportation.

Theses

Browse

Thesis Type

Type

Author

Date

Subject

Search Results