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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
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.
Open Access
Effect of Sodium Sulphate supplementation in layer diet
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1998) Vidhyadharan, P; KAU; Amritha, Viswanath
An investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of supplementation of sodium sulphate in White Leghorn layer diets devoid of animal protein sources. White Leghorn 'Ft strain pullets of 20 weeks of age were wing banded and randomly distributed to five different dietary treatment groups, each with eight replicates of four birds each. The dietary treatment consisted of control ration (T1) prepared using unsalted dried fish as animal protein source, all vegetable protein diet with the addition of 300 g DL-methionine (T2), all vegetable protein diet with the addition of anhydrous sodium sulphate at the levels of 200 g (T3), 300 g (T4) and 400 g (Ts) in every 100 kg of diet. All the rations were formulated as per BIS (1992) specification of nutrients for layer chicken. Soyabean cake, groundnut cake and gingelly oil cake were used as protein sources in vegetable protein diet. Body weight at 20 and 48 weeks of age, age at sexual maturity, egg production, feed intake, feed efficiency, egg weight, livability and cost-benefit analysis were the major criteria considered for the evaluation. The data were recorded for seven, 28 day periods. There was significant difference in body weight at 48 weeks of age (Player ration (T1) and birds fed with 0.4 per cent sodium sulphate were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those birds fed with 0.3 per cent sodium supplemented diet. But body weight of birds fed with standard layer ration (T1) was comparable with body weight of birds fed with vegetable protein diet having 0.4 per cent sodium sulphate (Ts). Similar trend was followed in egg weight also, with significantly higher egg weight in treatment group fed with 0.4 per cent sodium sulphate (Ts). Egg weight of birds fed with standard layer ration (T1) was comparable with T, (Pand hen-housed egg production and feed efficiency were not affected by the supplementation of Sodium Sulphate. Feed intake showed significant (Ptreatments. The group fed with 0.3 per cent methionine (T2) had significantly lower feed intake in comparison with 0.2 per cent (T3) and 0.3 per cent sodium sulphate (T4) supplemented group. Feed intake of birds fed with control diet (T1) was statistically comparable with all treatment groups except those birds fed with vegetable protein diet with 0.4 per cent sodium sulphate (Ts). Mortality pattern showed no difference among the five dietary treatments tested. All vegetable protein ration prepared with the addition of either methionine or sodium sulphate had higher price when compared with standard layer ration. Based on this study it was surmised that sodium sulphate supplementation did not have any deleterious effect on production performance of White Leghorn layers. So methionine or sodium sulphate can be effectively utilized in formulation of all vegetable layer ration when scarcity of fish occurs.
Open Access
Assessment of the quality of tenderized chicken meat pickle
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1998) Murugan, M; KAU; Narayanankutty, K
A study was carried out to examine the feasibility of preparing chicken pickle using untenderized and tenderized (papain treated) boned spent hen meat, and to evaluate its shelf-life. The ready-to-cook yield and total loss averaged 70. 5±0. 34 per cent and 29. 5±0. 07 per cent respectively for broiler breeder spent hens (72 weeks of age) used for the study. The cooking yields of control (untenderized) and treatment (tenderized) groups were 76.70 and 71.70 per cent respectively. The chicken meat pickle prepared were kept at ambient temperature upto 60 days. Analysis for qualitative assessment on the representative samples was conducted qualitatively and evaluated organoleptically by a taste panel at zero, eight, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56 and 64 days of storage. It was observed that during different periods of storage, the proximate components viz., moisture, protein, fat and total ash of the product significantly altered. As the storage period increased the 2-thiobarbituric acid number (TBA) was also increased significantly (P<0.0l). The total bacterial count increased significantly (P<0.0l) with the increase in the duration of storage. In case of organoleptic evaluation scores no significant difference was found between control and treatment groups. However, tenderized meat group had numerically higher tenderness values than untenderized meat group during all the periods of storage. Based on the cost structure it was observed that the cost of production of one kilogram of chicken meat pickle using untenderized and tenderized spent hen meat were Rs.60.27 and 60.45 respectively. From the above findings it was concluded that, a highly acceptable, nutritious, ready-to-cook chicken meat pickle could be prepared using untenderized and tenderized spent hen meat. The product could be stored upto 64 days at ambient temperature without any quality deterioration.
Open Access
Influence of phytase on phosphorus utilization in broilers
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1998) Kanagaraju, P; KAU; Jalaludheen, A
An investigation was carried out utilizing 216 commercial day-old broiler chicks to evaluate the influence of supplementation of phytase enzyme on phosphorus utilization and subsequent performance. The birds were divided into six dietary treatment groups viz., standard broiler ration (T1) I broiler ration with 0.3 per cent available phosphorus (AP) (T2) I broiler ration with 0.4 per cent AP (T3) I standard broiler ration with 750 units of phytase per kg of feed (T4) I broiler ration with 0.3 per cent AP supplemented with 750 units of phytase per kg of feed (T5) and broiler ration ,with 0.4 per cent AP supplemented with 750 units of phytase per kg of feed (T6). Standard broiler ration was formulated as per BIS (1992) ) specifications. Initially, the ration with 0.3 per cent AP was formulated. By the addition of appropriate levels of dicalcium phosphate to this ration, diets with 0.4 and 0.5 per cent AP were formulated. The groups fed standard broiler starter and finisher rations with and without phytase and those fed rations containing an AP of 0.4 per cent supplemented with phytase had significantly (P<0. 01) higher body weights and body weight gain than other treatments. All enzyme supplemented treatments consumed significantly (P<0.0l) more feed (g/bird/day) than their respective unsupplemented groups except in the group offered 0.4 per cent AP. Significantly (P<0.01) superior feed efficiency was recorded in groups fed a diet having 0.4 per cent AP supplemented with 750 units of phytase per kg of feed. Phytase supplementation had a positive effect on tibial ash. Serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus (mg per cent) were significantly (P<0.0l) higher in enzYme supplemented groups than their respective counterparts at sixth week of age but were not influenced at eighth week of age. Bioavailability of calcium and phosphorus was significantly (P<0. 01) more in enzyme supplemented groups than their corresponding unsupplemented groups. Phosphorus excretion in the droppings I' (g/kg DM intake) was significantly (P<0. 01) reduced in enzyme supplemented groups. The per cent dressed yield and ready-to-cook yield were significantly (P<0. 01) higher in groups fed a diet having 0.4 per cent AP supplemented with phytase than other groups. The per cent giblet yield was significantly (P<0. 01) more in group fed a standard diet supplemented with phytase than other groups. The per cent livability was better with enzyme supplemented groups. The cost of production per kg live weight (when feed cost alone was considered) was cheaper in groups fed with 0.4 per cent AP supplemented with phytase. The net profit per kg live weight was 13 paise higher in groups maintained on 0.4 per cent AP supplemented with phytase compared to standard broiler ration. Based on the above findings it can be concluded that by the addition of 750 units of phytase per kg of diet I the available phosphorus level in broiler rations can be reduced by 0,1 per cent without affecting the overall performance.
Open Access
Genetic studies on serum alkaline phosphatase and haemoglobin in two strains of white leghornserum
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Sankaralingam, S; KAU; Unni, A K K
The present investigation was undertaken to identify the Serum Alkaline Phosphatase (SAP) and haemoglobin (Hb) polymorphism and also aimed to find their association with production, egg quality and reproduction. Four hundred and ninety seven hens of two different strains of White Leghorn Viz. IWP (168 and 100) and IWN (129 and 100) belonging to S15 and S16 generations, respectively were typed by Horizontal Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE). Two phenotypes, Fast and Slow were determined. Higher frequencies of Fast phenotype were observed in IWP strain (0.66 and 0.58) than IWN strain (0.15 and 0.24) in both S15 and S16 generations, respectively. Hundred hens each of IWP and IWN strains were tested for haemoglobin polymorphism with Agar gel electrophoresis, which revealed no polymorphism. Two alleles namely AkpF and Akps with two phenotypes Fast and Slow were identified as SAP locus. AkpF allele had the frequency of 0.42 and 0.35 in IWP strain and 0.08 and 0.13 in IWN strain of S15 and S16 generations, respectively. Different matings between Fast and Slow moving types revealed that the Fast band is determined by an autosomal completely dominant gene over Slow band bird. The mean SAP level for the F and S birds revealed that the SAP activity was more in F type birds (97.54 and 88.96 KA units per 100ml serum) than that of S type birds (93.03 and 68.24 KA units per 100ml serum) in both IWP and IWN strains respectively. The association between SAP types and egg quality traits revealed no significant difference between them except shell thickness. The eggs from F type birds had significantly higher shell thickness than S type in IWP and IWN strains of White Leghorn. Correlation between different SAP type matings and reproduction traits revealed that the fertility of F x F and F x S matings were highest followed by S x Sand S x F. The hatchability (on fertile egg set) was high in F x F followed by F x Sand S x F, the least hatchability was observed in S x S cross. The findings tend to conclude that the birds having gene AkpF perform better in respect of egg production, egg quality and reproduction traits. The egg production at the later stage of life was found to be high in F type birds and hence it is desirable to follow selection on extended testing periods than relying on 40 weeks egg records.
Open Access
Formulation and shelf life of duck meat stick
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 1997) Sangilimadan, K; KAU; Narayanankutty, K
A study was conducted to examine the feasibility of formulation of duck meat sticks from deboned minced meat of desi spent ducks and to evaluate its shelf-life. The ready-to-cook yield, total loss and meat to' bone ratio averaged 70.94 ± 0.40 per cent, 29.06 ± 0.40 per cent and 2.47 ± 0.02 respectively for desi spent ducks (Two years of age) used for the study. The mean per cent abdominal fat was 0.63 ± 0.02. The duck meat sticks prepared as per two recipes were kept under frozen (-15°C) storage upto 60 days. Representative samples were analysed qualitatively and evaluated organoleptically by a taste panel at zero, 15, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days of storage under frozen conditions. It was observed that under different days of storage the proximate components viz., moisture, protein, fat and total ash of the product remained unaltered. At -15°C the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) number increased as the storage period increased. The total bacterial count decreased significantly (P>0.01) at -15°C with increase in the duration of storage. The duck meat sticks prepared by both the recipes were found to be equally good and acceptable organoleptically. The mean per cent of the cooking loss decreased with increase in the length of storage. It was observed that 15.25 and 15.50 meat sticks could be made from each 1000 g of deboned minced duck meat using recipes I and 11 respectively. The cost of each duck meat stick weighing 100 g was found to be Rs.5.63 and Rs.5.73 for recipes I and 11 respectively. From the above findings it was concluded that a highly acceptable, nutritious, ready-to-cook duck meat product could be prepared from deboned minced spent duck meat. Under frozen (-15°C) conditions, the product could be stored upto 60 days without any quality deterioration and consumer acceptance did not vary on storage of the product.
Open Access
Cellulase supplementation in high fibre diet on the performance of layer chicken
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Mannuthy, 1996) Ponnuvel, P; KAU; Jalaludeen, A
The effect of three levels of cellulose enzyme viz., 0.06, 0.12 and 0.18 per cent in high fibre layer rations on production performance and on nutrient availability of egg type chicken was evaluated using one hundred and fifty ‘F’ strain of Single Comb White Leghorn Pullets of 21 week of age for a period of 20 weeks. The birds were divided in to five dietary treatment groups viz., Standared layer ration (T1), high fibre layer ration (T2), high fibre layer ration with 0.06 per cent cellulase (T3) high fibre layer ration with 0.12 per cent cellulase(T4), high fibre layer ration with 0.18 per cent cellulase(T5). Standard layer ration (SLR) was formulated as per BIS (1992) specification for chicken layers. The high fibre layer ration was similar to SLR except the level of crude fibre which was enhanced to 12 per cent. The inclusion level of undecorticated sunflower cake was enhanced in order to obtain the desired level of crude fibre in the high fibre layer ration. The mean daily feed intake per bird was significantly (p<0.01) higher in birds fed high fibre diet with out enzyme and was different from all other groups. A numerical improvement in per cent hen-day and hen-housed egg production was noticed among enzyme supplemented groups. However, the increase was not statistically significant. Numerically superior feed efficiency was observed with all the enzyme supplemented groups when compared with standard layer diet as well as high fibre diet without enzyme. However, the differences among various treatments in feed per dozen eggs were not statistically significant. The gain in body weight of birds fed on high fibre diet with 0.12 per cent cellulase was significantly (p<0.05) higher than unsupplemented high fibre diet. Body weight gain was statistically comparable among birds fed on high fibre diet supplemented with different levels of cellulase and those fed with SLR. Cellulase supplementation did not have any significant influence on mean egg weight. Cellulase addition did not improve the dry matter digestibility. The apparent metabolisable energy (AME) values were significantly (P<0.01) higher in birds fed with high fibre diet supplemented with 0.12 and 0.18 per cent cellulase than unsupplemented high fibre control. The AME values of standard and enzyme fed groups were statistically comparable. Cellulase supplementation significantly (p<0.01) improved the apparent protein digestibility and ether extract digestibility when compared with high fibre control. Though numerical increase in the digestibility of fibre fractions viz., ADF and NDF was observed due to cellulase supplementation, differences were not significant among treatments, supplementation of cellulase enzyme significantly (P<0.01) reduced the moisture content of droppings when compared with unsupplemented high fibre diet. The viscosity of intestinal contents was significantly lower (p<0.01) in birds fed with high fibre diet supplemented with varying levels of cellulase. Cost of production of eggs was lower in all enzymes supplemented groups when compared with standard layer diet and high fibre diet without enzyme addition. Based on the above findings, it can be concluded that cellulase supplementation in high fibre later ration is beneficial especially when fibrous agricultural by-products are used as alternate feed ingredients in the chicken diet.

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