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Open Access
Performance of desi x exotic cross-bred layers
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Mannuthy, 1992) Jayanthy, M V; KAU; Leo, Joseph
Data were collected on egg production performance of two cross-breds viz. desi X Austra White (DAW) and desi X New Rock (DNR) from 20 to 40 weeks of age. The birds in each cross consisted of naked neck and normal neck varieties. DNR cross birds were significantly heavier at 20 and 40 weeks of age than DAW cross birds. The body weight in Naked neck and normal neck varieties comparable in both crosses. Age at sexual maturity was 184 and 189 days in DNR and DAW crosses respectively. Hen housed and hen day egg numbers were similar in both crosses (37.61 and 47.61 vs 34.40 and 47.81), while the naked neck birds in both crosses showed higher hen housed and hen day egg number between the varieties in DAW cross was significant (53.82 Vs 34.86). The eggs were significantly heavier in DNR cross than in DAW cross (46.74 Vs 44.88) whereas the varieties with in both crosses laid eggs of similar size. The mean daily feed consumption and feed efficiency were also similar in both crosses (106.61 g and 4.09 Vs 104.95 g and 4.93). In DAW cross, the naked neck birds registered a better feed efficiency. While DNR birds were multicolored and laid brown eggs, DAW crosses consisted of only black, grayish white with black patches and grey birds which laid tinted eggs. Broodiness was observed in both the crosses. Egg quality was excellent in both the crosses and varieties with in crosses, at 32 weeks of age. Livability was also similar in both crosses though it was poor. Considering the overall performance, the DNR cross was adjudged as a better cross for the backyard.
Open Access
Efficacy of certain litter materials on broiler performance
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1999) Sini Thomas; KAU; Amritha Viswanath
An experiment was designed and conducted at the Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy to evaluate the efficacy of different litter materials on the performance of broilers under hot-humid conditions of Kerala. Two hundred and ten, one-day old straight-run commerical broiler chicks were reared for a period of eight weeks. The birds were allotted into five different litter treatment groups, viz., wood shavings (T,) which formed the control group, saw dust (T2), rice husk (T,), coir pith (TJ and paddy chaff (T5), each comprising of three replicates with fourteen birds each. Standard broiler starter and finisher rations were formulated as per BIS (1992) specifications for the broilers. The chicks were reared under standard managemental conditions upto eight weeks of age. Results of the study revealed that body weight and body weight gain were not influenced by different litter treatments throughout the experimental period. Eventhough feed consumption and feed efficiency were influenced by litter materials during the initial periods, there obsno impact for the rest of the experimental period. Processing yields and losses were not affected by different litter treatments. Litter quality parameters like weight of the litter at the beginning and end of the experiment, weekly moisture content, fortnightly ammonia-nitrogen content, nitrogen-phosphorus- potassium content, litter pH and proximate composition of the litter at the beginning, at sixth week and eighth week were significantly different (P<0.01) between different treatment groups. It was observed that eventhough there was significant difference (P<0.05) between treatment groups for mortality by fourth week of age, no significant difference was obtained for all other periods. Cost-benefit analysis revealed that net profit per bird by sixth week and eighth week of age was more for litter materials, viz., saw dust, rice husk, coir pith and paddy chaff than wood shavings. Based on the above findings, it can be concluded that different litter materials, viz., saw dust, rice husk, coir pith and paddy chaff are equally good for broiler raising as wood shavings during the month of January through March in Kerala.
Open Access
Characterisation and evaluation of indegenous ducks of Kerala
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Mahanta, J D; KAU; Ramakrishnan, A
A basic study was conducted to characterise the two distinct indigenous types of ducks, namely Chara and Chemballi of Kerala and to evaluate their production potential. Five hundred sexed day-old female and 100 male ducklings each from Chara and Chemballi type were brought from M/s Susan Roy Hatchery of Chennithala. The ducklings were reared on deep litter system of management under identical conditions till 8 weeks of age. Thereafter they were switched over to semi- intensive system. The ducklings were wing banded and weighed individually at day-old, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 30, 40 and 52 weeks of age. After 18 weeks of age, 300.females and 30 males from each type were selected for further studies. The females from each type were divided into three groups of 100 birds each. At 18 weeks of age, ducklings were wing badged and provided with individual laying nests to facilitate recording of individual performance. Drakes of each type were maintained separately to study the external morphology and growth traits. At 20 weeks of age, individual body measurements and plumage colour patterns of different body parts of both Chara and Chemballi were recorded. The age at first egg (AFE) of all individual ducks, the weight of first egg, egg weight at 30, 40 and 50 weeks of age, shape index and shell colour of eggs, age at 5, 10 and 50 per cent egg production, total egg production upto 52 weeks of age, per cent duck-day and duck-housed egg production at eight 28-day laying periods and at weekly mean basis of the flocks were calculated and recorded. Morphologically, Chara and Chemballi drakes were squat in posture and gait and they differed in the colour of plumage of the head region. It was lustrous greenish black in Chara and dull greenish black in Chemballi. The Chara females were usually blackish brown in the back, tail and wing. The Chemballi females in general were brownish black and brownish grey in the back, tail and wings. The average body weights and growth pattern of Chara and Chemballi males were almost similar upto 52 weeks of age, whereas the Chara females tended to be heavier in body weights at all ages except 4 and 12 weeks. Significantly higher body weights at day-old and 20 weeks of age was recorded in Chara females over the Chemballi. The average age at first egg (AFE) in Chara and Chemballi was 148.59 and 147.50 days respectively. The ages at 5, 10 and 50 per cent egg production were 144, 153 and 187 days in Chara, while those in Chemballi were 141, 148 and 184 day respectively. The average egg number per duck upto 50 weeks of age was 116.09 in Chara and 124.95 in Chemballi. The corresponding mean per cent duck-day production in Chara and Chemballi was 44.49 and 48.68 respectively. The mean per cent duck-housed egg production to 50 weeks of age in Chara and Chemballi was 41.78 and 42.91 respectively. The mean weekly per cent egg production of Chara and Chemballi upto 52 weeks of age widely fluctuated from week to week. It was also found that during the production period upto 52 weeks of age there were two peaks in per cent egg production in both Chara and Chemballi type. The overall mean egg weight of Chara (69.69 g) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of Chemballi (68.08 g) . In the laying periods of Chara and Chemballi there were no discernible clutch size/pause. Broodiness as a trait was almost absent in both the types.
Open Access
Effect of floor density on production performance in Japanese quails reared in cages and deep litter
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Padmakumar, B; KAU; Reghunathan Nair, G
To suggest a suitable system of rearing and optimum floor space allowance for Japanese quail rearing, so as to reduce housing cost and to achieve batter efficiency, a study was carried out to evaluate the production performance of quails reared in cages and deep litter with different floor densities. In cage system of rearing the floor densities evaluated were 100, 150, 200 and 250 sq. cm and in deep litter system, 150, 200 and 250 sq. era per bird. The experiment was carried out from the fifth week of age to 50th week of age each group with four replications. Except for the difference in floor densities, ail the managemental practices followed were the same and the data war. recorded for nine, 35-day periods. The system of housing had no effect on the body weight, but an increase in floor space resulted in a hike in the body weight. Age at first egg, IQ per cent production and 50 per _cent production were not influenced by the type of housing. in deep litter system, they were signifieantly affected by the different floor densities?, but not. in cage system of rearing, System of housing did not affect the egg production. But in cages, different flour densities significantly affected the egg production. This was not seen in deep litter system of rearing. The mean daily feed consumption was not affected by the system of housing. But the different floor densities in cages and deep litter had significant effect on feed consumption. System of housing and floor density variation had no effect on feed -efficiency. The percent Livability also has shown a similar trend. System of housing significantly affected the weight of eggs. The treatment groups in cages significantly affected the egg weight, but not in deep litter. Egg quality traits were neither affected by system of housing nor the floor density variations. Based on correlation of part year and full year productions, 35 weeks of age was found advantageous for selection of breeders. In cage system, it was found to be 15 weeks and in deep litter 35 weeks . The returns over feed cost was found to be better in cage system of rearing compared to deep litter. Between the different floor density allowances, 200 sq.cm floor space per bird surpassed all the other treatments. So it is concluded that the floor space allowance of 200 sq. cm per bird in cages is ideal for Japanese quail rearing.
Open Access
Requirements of protein and energy for broilers during summer season
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1992) Amritha Viswanath; KAU; Ramakrishnan, A
An experiment was designed and conducted to establish the requirements of protein and energy for broilers during the summer season in the hot and humid atmosphere of Kerala. Four trials were conducted in a span of two years. In each trial the following energy-protein combinations at starter, and subsequent finisher diets were tested in a completely randomised design. Treatment Starter Finisher Diet 1 22% CP:2900 Kcal ME/kg 19% CP:3000 Kcal ME/kg Diet 2 24% CP:2900 Kcal ME/kg 19% CP:2900 Kcal ME/kg Diet 3 26% CP:2900 Kcal ME/kg 19% CP:3000 Kcal ME/kg Diet 4 26% CP:2900 Kcal ME/kg 19% CP:2900 Kcal ME/kg Trials corresponding to the same period for the two years were pooled and the results were presented as Period A (started in early summer and ended in peak summer) and Period B (started in peak summer and ended in late summer). Except for the difference in nutrient intake, all the management practices followed were uniform for the differenttrials and treatment groups. Feed and water were given ad lib. The chicks were fed with starter diet upto six weeks of age and finisher diet upto eighth week of age. Results of the study revealed that body weight at eighth week of age was not influenced by different- energy protein levels in the diet during both Period A and Period B. But difference between periods was statistically (P < 0.01) significant. Broiler chicks reared during Period A showed significantly lower mean body weight at eight week than Period., B. Dietary combination of 22:2900 in the starter and 19:3000 in the finisher stage upto eight weeks of age was found to be optimum for growth of broilers in summer months in Kerala. Body weight gain was not influenced by the dietary. treatments and by periods upto sixth week of age. Thereafter body weight gain was influenced by season. Broiler chicks reared during Period B showed higher body weight gain than Period A. Maximum body weight gain was recorded at fifth week of age in both Period A and Period B. Feed consumption was not affected by dietary treatments in both Period A and Period B, but was significantly affected by periods at seventh and eighth week of age. Feed efficiency was also not affected by different dietary treatments upto eight weeks of age. Broiler chicks reared during Period A showed poorer feed efficiency from sixth week onwards.
Open Access
Effect of floor density on production performance of commercial hybrid layers
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1992) Geo, A G; KAU; Amritha Viswanath
In order to prescribe optimum floor space allownace for the commercial hybrid layer ClLM-90) released from Mannuthy Centre of the 'AICRP on Poultry for Eggs' with the ultimate objective of reducing housing cost and achieving better labour efficiency, a study was carried out to evaluate its production performance on three different floor densities under "deep litter system of rearing. The floor densities evaluated were 1350/ 1575 and 1800 sq. cm. per bird. Each group was assigned to five replicates I and mean body weight at 20 weeks of age were kept uniform for all the replicates. Except for the difference in floor densities, all the managemental practices followed were uniform for the different treatment groups. Feed and water were given ad lib. The data were recorded for five, 28 day periods. Body . weight at 44th week of age and Age at fifty per cent production were not significantly influenced by the difference in floor densities- There was an increase in egg production as the floor space allowance per bird was increased and this increase was significant (P < 0-05) for the group provided with 1800 sq. cm. per bird than that of group provided with 1350 sq.cm. per bird. Feed consumption progressively increased as the floor space allowance increased and this increase was highly significant (P < 0.01). But/ the differences in feed efficiency among different groups were not statistically significant- Egg weight and other egg quality parameters such as shape Index, shell thickness. Albumen Index, Haugh Unit and Yolk Index were not affected by difference in floor space allowances. Mortality was also not found to be influenced by the difference in floor densities. Though the birds reared with a floor space of 1800 sq.cm. per bird showed higher egg production, the lower feed consumption, numerically higher efficiency of feed conversion and positive returns in terms of economics of production indicated that a floor density of 1350 sq.cm. per bird is more economical for the hybrid layer ILM-90 under Kerala condition.
Open Access
Effect of housing system on protein and energy requirements of white leghorn
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1991) Anitha, P; KAU; Jalaluddin, A
An experiment was designed to study the influence of housing system on protein and energy requirements of strain cross White Leghorn chicken (ILM-90) from one day old to seventy two weeks of age. Seven hundred and twenty, one day old female chicks of ILM-90 (IWNxIWP) of the Mannuthy Centre of All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Poultry for eggs, were randomly divided into two groups of 360 chicks each, one group for floor and other for cage experiment. They were randomly alloted to 12 dietary protein energy combination groups with each treatment having three replicates and each replicate having ten chicks in both housing systems
Open Access
Evaluation of production performance in F strain of white Leghorn
(Department of Poultry Science,College of Veterinary Science, Mannuthy, 1995) Beena, C Joseph; KAU; Peethambaran, P A (Guide)
A study was carried out with ‘F’ strain of White Leghorn maintained at University Poultry Farm, Mannuthy in order to evaluate the production potential of the particular strain based on the part year performance. At the age of 18 weeks, 400 pullets belonging to four consecutive hatches were taken and housed in 100 multiple-bird cages of identical size at the rate of four hens per cage at random. Feed and water were given ad lib and the managemental practices were uniform for all cages. The production performance as well as meteorological observations were studied for five, 28-day periods from 21 to 40 weeks of age during the period from February through August 1994. Body weight at 20 and 40 weeks of age were recorded individually and the respective mean values were found out to be 944.05+ 8.86 g and 1346.67+ 12.19 g. The first egg in each cage was recorded and the mean age at first egg was 174.67+ 0.95 days. The mean ages at 10 and 50 per cent production in the flock were 178 and 196.5 days respectively. These values indicated very late maturity in the strain. The egg production was recorded as 56.73 eggs with 40.52 per cent on hen-housed basis and 57.09 eggs with 40.79 per cent on hen-day basis. The peak production was obtained at 32 weeks of age. The mean daily feed consumption was worked out as 93.83 g per bird. Feed efficiency worked out in terms of dozen eggs and kilogram egg mass were 2081 and 5.01 respectively. Egg weight at last three days in each period were indivitualy recorded and the overall mean egg weight for 21 to 40 weeks of age was 46.21 g. The total egg mass out put in the flock up to 40 weeks of age was 1044.07 kg with an average output of 2.61 kg per hen housed. Livability was found to be excellent (95.5 per cent ) in the strain. The mean of the maximum and minimum temperature recorded in the experimental house were 32.50 C and 26.120 C respectively. The mean per cent relative humidity was 76.67 in the F.N. and 69.18 in the A.N. On analysis of results, it was found that the body weight, egg production, feed consumption and egg weight are considerably low in this strain. There was poor uniformity in pullet body weight and also in age at sexual maturity. These traits can be improved if independent culling levels are fixed for body weight as well as for minimum rate of pay per bird. This strain can be improved further by applying selection for body weight at 20 weeks of age.
Open Access
Production performance of Austra-white and Rhode-white layers on litter floor
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1998) Sridharan, E; KAU; Peethambaran, P A
An experiment was conducted at Kerala Agricultural University Poultry Farm, Mannuthy in order to evaluate the production performance of Austra -white and Rhode -white hens on litter floor. The Australorp and Rhode Island Red formed the male lines and the 'F' strain of White Leghom formed the female line for the production of A W and RW progenies. One hundred and twenty (120) pullets each of Austra -white (A W) and Rhode -white (RW) at the age of 18 weeks were housed in identical pens in eight replicates each at the rate of 15 birds per replicate at random. Layer mash with BIS specifications was fed throughout the experimental period. Standard routine managemental practices were followed in the study. The production performance on deep litter for six periods of 28 days each were recorded during the period from December' 97 to June' 98. The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the production performance of Austra-white and Rhode - white hens from 21 to 44 weeks of age under deep litter system of rearing. Body weight at 20 and 44 weeks of age in Austra-white and Rhode-white were recorded individually and the respective mean values were found to be 1181.50 and 1178.75 g at 20 weeks and 1477.45 and 1539.79 g at 44 weeks of age. The average age at first egg was 161.63 days in Austra-white and 159.75 days in Rhode-white hens. The mean ages at 10 and 50 per cent production were 166.25 and 179.13 days in Austra-white and 163 and 176.75 days in Rhode-white respectively. The mean egg production recorded was 82.98 with 49.39 per cent in Austra-white and 98.80 eggs with 58.81 per cent in Rhode-white on hen-housed basis and on hen-day basis 85.72 eggs with 51.02 per cent in Austra-white and 101.21 eggs with 60.24 per cent in Rhode-white. The highest production was obtained at 32 weeks in Austra-white and 31 weeks of age in Rhode-white birds on hen-housed and hen-day basis. The mean daily feed consumption was worked out to 113.22 g in AW and 113.66 gin RW. Feed efficiency on the basis of dozen eggs for Austra-white was 2.60 and 2.05 in Rhode-white hens. Egg weight at last three days in each period were individually recorded and the overall mean egg weight for 21 to 44 weeks of age was 48.02 g in Austra-white and 46.50 g in Rhode-white. The overall mean egg mass per day was 3.32 kg in A W and 3.56 kg in RW. The mean percentages of shell, albumen and yolk were 10.86,60.11 and 28.75 in Austra-white and 11.10, 59.39 and 29.47 in Rhode-white eggs respectively. The mean shell thickness were 0.42 mm in AW and 0.41 mm in RW eggs. The livability per cent from 21 to 44 weeks of age was 89.17 in Austra- white and 95.83 per cent in Rhode-white. The feed cost per egg was 15291 paise in AW and 130.95 paise in RW. Based on the above findings, it is evident that the body weight at 44 weeks of age, overall HHN, HDN and its percentages, per cent livability and per cent yolk in eggs were Significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Rhode -white birds. Whereas the overall mean egg weight and per cent albumen were significantly higher in Austra - white eggs. The differences in body weight at 20 weeks, age at sexual maturity, overall feed consumption, per cent shell, shell thickness and egg mass per day were non- significant between Austra - white and Rhode - white. Therefore it was concluded that Austra-white birds have an edge over Rhode-white birds in the overall mean egg weight and per cent albumen. Rhode-white birds are superior to Austra-White birds in body weight at 44 weeks, egg production, feed efficiency, livability and per cent yolk in eggs under deep litter system of rearing. Further studies using A W and RW birds are warranted under backyard conditions for exploiting the above traits advantageously.

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