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ThesisItem Open Access Effect of plane of feeding during pre-partum and lactating stages on mothering ability and subsequent conception in sows(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1992) Joseph Mathew; Kurien ThomasThirty six pregnant gilts 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 of 10% increase of CP with respect to NRC level and (iii) a low plane of 10% decrease of CP and DE with respect to NRC – at four stages A, B, C, and D which represented the periods 56 – 83 days of gestation, 84 days to farrowing, farrowing to 28 days and 29 to 56 days post – partum respectively. Shifting of plane of feeding from low to high plane and vice versa while NRC level treated as control, resulted in nine treatment groups each having four experimental units. The body weight gain/ loss of the dam in stages A and D, live litter size and weight at birth, litter size and weight at weaning, parturient and suckling behaviour – expressed as a score – feed consumption of sow and the litter and the overall mothering ability of the sow expressed as composite sow index were beneficially influenced by a high plane of feeding when compared to NRC, while the low plane of feeding was significantly (P < 0.01) poor with respect to almost all the above traits. However, the total litter size at birth, average birth weight of live piglets, feeding and post – weaning oestrus behaviour – expressed as scroes - and conception rate were not significantly affected by plane of feeding. Overall results suggested that a switch – over to high plane of feeding at 84 days of gestation till weaning is most efficient with respect to litter output, economy and post – weaning conception.ThesisItem Open Access Morphometry and ageing of captive male asian elephants (Elephas maximus)(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Sasikumar, M; KAU; Francis, XavierThe collection of morphometric details from elephants of different age groups would enhance our biological understanding and management of this valuable species.. A total of fifty two clinically healthy captive male Asian elephants, varying in age, under excellent management, maintained by 'Guruvayoor Devaswom Board' were utilized for predicting body weight and height from body measurements as well as determination of age from physical features. For prediction equations several morphometric parameters were measured. All possible linear regressions of weight on one, two, three and four body measurements were calculated. The equations having highest coefficient determination value (R2) with least standard error of estimation was taken for predicting body weight and height in elephants. The data were also divided into age groups (Group I (Young ones; 0-20 years), Group 11 (Sub adults; 21-30 years), Group III (Adults; 31-40 years), and Group IV (0 Id adults; 41-70 years)) and all possible linear regressions were calculated for each group. The best prediction of body weight (kg) for all age groups (G I to G IV) was obtained based on two parameters; the chest girth (cm) and right forefoot circumference (cm). Single and also the combination of various parameters were used for the prediction' of body weight in different age groups. An equation to predict the height at the shoulders (cm) from right forefoot circumference (cm) for various age groups of elephants was also derived. Various parameters were correlated with age of the elephants and average values of these parameters were salculated for age approximation. The data were again divided into various age groups (Group A (Young ones; 0-20 years), Group B (Adults; 21-40 years), and Group C (Old adults; 41- 70 years)) and comparison of parameters between two age groups was done. The parameters such as depigmentation on the trunk, hair distribution, hollow on the temple region, width of the ear, circumference of tusk base and middle, and height at the shoulders had high correlation as well as significant difference in various age group comparisons. So, these parameters could be useful for age estimation in male elephants with more precision.ThesisItem Open Access Management Systems and Utilisation Pattern of Captive Male Elephants(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2004) Cijo K JosephThe utilization pattern, management and nutrition of the elephants of Kerala under different ownership conditions were studied between June-2003 and July-2004 using survey method. The credibility of the information so collected was checked using triangulation method where, the information about an animal was collected from the owner, mahout, and also by physical verification of the claims in all possible cases. It was seen that the elephants of private owners with one elephant (25.2years) were significantly younger than the elephants of private owners with more than one elephant and elephants of temple trusts with one elephant (32.7 and 35.4 years respectively). The comparison of the height of the elephants revealed that the average height of elephants of forest department (245cm) was significantly lesser than the average height of elephants of private owners with more than one elephant and elephants of temple trusts with one elephant (278.7cm and 283.9cm respectively). The group wise variations in the frequencies of bath given to the elephants were insignificant but the duration of bath in elephants of forest department was significantly lesser than the average duration of bath in all other groups. It was also seen that most of the elephants in Kerala did not have proper housing facilities, and that majority of them were tied under tree on sandy floor. Studies on the utilization pattern of the elephants revealed that the elephants irrespective of their type of ownership were idle for most of the time in the year and that the elephants idled for the maximum number of days in a year (322.3 days). Further, the elephants of group-2 attended the maximum number of festivals in a year (82.9 ±6.92 days). Proximate analysis of the feed fed to the elephants revealed that the nutritional status of elephants of temples with one elephant was the highest. The study also revealed that all the elephants of group-4 were given restorative therapy and the elephants of group-5 were not given restorative therapy.ThesisItem Open Access Draught Efficiency of Elephants in Timber Mills(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2001) Prasad, A; KAU; Saseendran, P CSix elephants working in four different private timber mills in Trichur district were selected for the present study. Average weight of elephants estimated using formula was 4627.80 + 114.15 kg. Elephants consumed 213.00 + 3.338 kg roughages and 7.50 + 0.475 kg of concentrate. They obtained 9.721 + 0.837 kg dry matter, 3.613 + 0.075 kg DCP and 31.517 + 0.754 kg of TDN over and above maintenance requirement, which may be the amount of nutrient utilized for work performance. Elephants were engaged for three types of work in timber mills, carrying, moving/stalking and hauling timber logs. Mean draught developed during carrying was 445.095 + 22.448 kg. Elephant could be made to carry weights upto 20 per cent of their body weight on their tusk during carrying and stalking/moving timber. A new instrument called Elephant Draught Power Monitor was fabricated to measure the draught developed during hauling timber. A regression, Y = 0.7787 x – 100.69 (where Y is the draught developed and X is the weight of the log hauled) was developed from the measurements. The draught power estimated this equation was compared with the values obtained by the formula draught = load x CosƟ. It was assumed that the formula draught = load x CosƟ was not suitable for elephant draught power measurement. The average draught developed during hauling was 1779.391 + 130.386 kg. Highest maximum of weight that an elephant could be made to haul during instantaneous force development was 188 per cent of the body weight. Maximum limit of weight that an elephant could be made to haul during continuous work was 38 per cent of its body weight. Speed of work of elephants during carrying, moving and hauling was 1.333 + 0.075, 0.630 + 0.014 and 0.701 + 0.014 m/s respectively. Speed of work of elephants decreased with increase in weight of the log transported. The average horse power developed during carrying, moving and hauling were 7.116 + 0.106, 2,566 + 0.048 and 7.138 + 0.280 respectively. The average work output per day during carrying, moving and hauling were 1819.004 + 92.619 KJ, 179.718 + 5.955 KJ, 3375.373 + 16.885 KJ respectively. Maximum work output from elephant was obtained during hauling. Maximum work output (34 per cent) occurred during 8.30 am to 9.30 am in timber mills. Elephants were made to work minimum during 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm. Rectal temperature was identified as the most reliable physiological parameter which can be used as an indicator of fatigue. Maximum body temperature recorded during work was 1000 F. Maximum frequency of spraying of saliva during the entire study period was two/minute and maximum frequency of fanning of ears was 45/min. The value of rectal temperature when the elephants were fatigued was 98.60 F. Work may be stopped and elephant should be given rest before reaching this body temperature to avoid undue fatigue. Mechanised power which replaces elephant power in many timber mills has certain advantages. But use of elephant has got the advantage of utilization of renewable resources environmental friendliness and greater maneuverability during work.ThesisItem Open Access 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 KA 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.ThesisItem Open Access Medroxyprogesterone acetate as an aid to birth control programme in stray dogs(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Deepak Mathew, D K; KAU; Joseph MathewThe utility of Medroxyprogesterone acetate as an aid in the birth control programme of stray dogs was studied. Eighteen early proestrus bitches were randomly allotted to three equal groups (Group A Group B and Group C). Group A animals were administered with a single subcutaneous injection of 50 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate. Group B animals were administered medroxyprogesterone acetate orally at the rate of 10 mg per day for four days followed by 5 mg per day for another 12 days starting from the end of anoestrus. Six bitches of Group C acted as control animals. All animals in Group A and Group B responded to the treatment though one animal in Group A had returned to cycle in about 50 days. Reproductive cycle was controlled in all six animals of group A at a mean of 3.17 days and a mean of of 2.67 days in group B. Group A animals had a mean duration of control of 83.3 days while in group B it was 90 days. Vulval edema, vulval discharge, tail deviation reflex and interest in male decreased following treatment in Groups A and B while it seemed to be not changed or high in Group C animals. Detailed vaginal cytology was studied using Wright- Giemsa's stain. Cellular changes was characterized by a change from predominance of parabasal cells following treatment in Groups A and B while changes characteristic of oestrus cycle occurred in the control animals. There was significant difference in the mean percentage of parabasal cells between Groups A and B after treatment and during different stages of the oestrus cycle of the Group A up to end of dioestrus. Serum progesterone was estimated in all animals at fortnightly intervals. Animals in group A, B and C showed mean serum progesterone concentrations of 0.53 ng/ml, 0.57 ng/ml and 0.45 ng/ml during the beginning of proestrus. The mean progesterone in serum following treatment elevated in Group A to 27.83 ng/ml, while it maintained a low level of 0.55 ng/ml in group B and had a value of 4.43 ng/ml in group C which indicated oestrus phase. The progesterone level reached maximum concentration of 31.17 ng/ml on day 42 in group A and 49.00 ng/ml during dioestrus in group C. The values remained low in group B. Towards the end of experiment all animals had basal concentration of progesterone. It is concluded that reproductive control can be achieved effectively in bitches treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate by both oral and parenteral routes. Oral administration demand less technicalities and hence is more suitable for use in the field.ThesisItem Open Access Study on management information system in institutional swine farm(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2002) Bindu, P; KAU; Joseph MathewA study on Management-Information System (MIS) was conducted in Centre for Pig Production and Research (CPPR), Mannuthy to analyse the merits and demerits of the MIS presently available in the farm and to formulate an MIS based on computer software which may improve managerial efficacy and decision making process in swine farm and to develop, refine and then recommend a management information system. The merits and demerits of the present MIS in the centre were studied by conducting a survey using separate and well-designed questionnaire among scientists technical staff and administrative staff and also by interview. The information obtained in the survey were analysed and meaningful conclusions were drawn on the efficiency of the present MIS. Observations were made on the present MIS prevailing in the Centre with regard to various production parameters such as animals, its production and reproduction details, feeding, breeding, weeding, human resource components, labour management administration, financial implications, research, teaching and extension activities, profit and loss account productivity of each element and all other related elements. A computerized MIS was developed using the data collected from the farm. The enterprise edition of Visual Basic 6.0 was used as front end, while MS Access-97 was used as back end for the package developed. The MIS developed under this study is structured under a main menuwith various sub-menus such as System, History, Administration, Research, Breed and Management. The System sub-menu has Change Password, Users and Exit options. The History sub-menu is segmented into Introduction, Units divisions, Lay out, Objectives, Head of Station and Teaching and Extension options. The Administration sub-menu is divided into Employee details, Pay Entry Staff, Pay Entry Labours, Enter Biodata and List Employees options. The Research sub-menu has Select Title and Add Title options. Breed sub menu is provided with Details, Breed pictures, Add Animal group, Add Animal, Birth Entry, Death Entry, Sales and Care and Management options. The sub-menu Management is segmented into Registers, Profit/loss, Weight Recordings, Feed Management and Profit Loss Entry options. The developed software was tested by an “on-farm trial run” in the Centre for a period of one month for'identifying the defects and the developed MIS has recommended as a model after rectifying the defect. The model can be recommended for other farms with necessary modifications.ThesisItem Open Access Performance of three introduced breeds of pigs in Kerala(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Dinesh, M T; KAU; Thomas, C KA study was conducted to find out the production performance and adaptability of three newly imported breeds of "pigs viz. Duroc, Large White Yorkshire and Landrace and to compare it with that of existing Large White Yorkshire pigs of Kerala. Thirty animals from each group were selected for the study. All the animals were fed with same type of feed through out the experimental period. Body weight and body measurements were recorded at fortnighdy intervals. The quantity of feed consumed by each group was also recorded. Rectal temperature was measured at weekly intervals during the noon hours. Animals were also observed during noon and feeding hours to study the adaptive behavioral manifestations. The results revealed that the body weight of the newly imported pigs were superior to that of Mannuthy Large White Yorkshire pigs. The body weight averaged 64.50+6.63, 62.75±5.16, 82.031±8.50 and 39.89±7.23 between 4.5 to 5 months of age and 171.25+7.69, 173.66+7.38, 169.14±9,98 and 124.66±11.64 between 11 and 11.5 months of age. The newly imported pigs were ready for slaughter at 6.5 to 7.0 months of age while the Mannuthy Large White Yorkshire pigs attained the 100-kg target during 9.5 to 10.months of age. The average daily gain calculated for the Mannuthy Large White Yorkshire pigs was also lower than the three newly imported groups. Average daily gain up to 100 kg body weight averaged 630, 673, 672 and 453 g for Duroc, Large White Yorkshire Landrace and Mannuthy Large White Yorkshire pigs. Feed conversion ratio up to 100 kg body weight averaged 4.03, 3.95, 3.72 and 4.63 for the above four breeds. Results of body measurements show that the Large White Yorkshire pigs maintained at Mannuthy farm was the smallest animal in all weight, groups. Landrace pigs were the longest (120.47 cm) and duroc pigs were the tallest (87.63) at the end of the experimental period. Data regarding the rectal temperature revealed that the temperature recorded for the Mannuthy pigs was slightly higher than the three newly imported groups. Among the four breeds the newly imported Large White Yorkshire pigs were the most aggressive animal at the time of feeding while Duroc pigs were comparatively quiet at the time of feeding. The present study revealed that the overall production performance of Large White Yorkshire pigs, ancestors of which were imported to kerala about 20 years ago, is inferior to that of newly imported Duroc, Large White Yorkshire and Landrace pigs. But the production performance of Mannuthy, Large White Yorkshire pigs was found, to superior to that of many other exotic pigs maintained in other parts of India.ThesisItem Open Access Analysis of management systems in homestead dairy production units(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Sudheer, S; KAU; Rajagopalan, T GThe present study was carried out with a view of estimating objectively the existing practices of management components of inputs and cost of milk production in the rural unorganised and organised areas The study was carried out in Kalady panchayat of Ernakulam district The required data was collected from the households by direct observation and personal interview using a pre tested schedule Cattle buffalo and goats were the livestock species mainly reared by farmers Most of the dairymen had a single cow unit A reduction m herd strength was noticed in all the holdings during the last five years Majority of farmers raised their own replacement stock Regarding purchase of animals farmers generally preferred adult cows than heifers or calves Farmers considered attributes like milk production appearance and confirmation colour temperament and age of animals price and also his financial position before purchasing animals Majority of households had pucca cattle sheds and the remaining had kutcha sheds Lean to type houses were more in number than independent houses as it was easier to construct and incurred low construction cost Most of the sheds had feeding mangers The standing space provided for cows in the sheds were more than the space recommended and the width of manger was less than the space recommended by both KAU and ICAR The types of feed fed to livestock are compounded feed concentrate cakes roughages and crop by products and residues The feed stuffs were mainly purchased from private shops markets or co operative societies None of the farmers purchased green fodder they mainly depended on fodder collected from field bunds and other agricultural lands The study revealed the allocation of feed stuff It was higher for animals m milk followed by pregnant and dry cows and heifers It was observed that dairymen of both organised and unorganised sectors fed DCP and TDN m excess of NRC recommendations More attention was bestowed on the feeding of female calves than male calves as majority of farmers were interested m raising replacements In the study area AI was the predominant practise in breeding The study revealed that a large proportion of dairymen were not aware of heat signs and the right time for inseminating their animals The longer calving interval was due to poor heat detection conception failure and deliberate skipping of heat by farmers
