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Open Access
Effect of probiotic supplementation on the performance of broiler chicken
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Sabitha Mahaboob Kadari, A; KAU; Elizabeth, V K
The effects of different levels of pro biotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus faecium and Yeasacc 1026) supplementation• at 0.025 and 0.05 per cent of the ration on the performance of broiler chicken were evaluated using 144, one-day old, commercial broiler chicks for a period of eight weeks. The birds were divided into three dietary treatment groups viz., standard broiler ration (T 1), standard broiler ration with 0.025 per cent probiotic (T 2) and standard broiler ration with 0.05 per cent probiotic (T3). Standard broiler ration was formulated as per Bureau of Indian Standards (1992) specification for broiler chicken feed. The 0.025 per cent probiotic supplemented birds showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) body weight upto six weeks of age. At the end of eight weeks of age, the 0.05 per cent probiotic fed birds grew faster. The body weight gain was significantly higher in 0.025 per cent probiotic supplemented group upto six weeks of age but was statistically non-significant upto eight weeks of age. The feed intake was not statistically significant throughout the experimental period. Eventhough the feed efficiency was significantly (P<0.01) better in the group fed with 0.025 per cent probiotic at the end of second week, it was statistically non-significant at sixth and eighth weeks of age. The protein efficiency was not significantly different throughout the experimental period. The serum cholesterol levels were significantly (P<0.01) reduced in both the probiotic supplemented groups. The serum protein level was not affected by probiotic supplementation. The processing Yields did not show any significant difference among treatments. The mortality percentage was not affected by treatments. Cost of production of broilers in the 0.025 per cent probiotic group was lower when compared with other two groups at the end of six weeks of age, while it was lower in the 0.05 per cent probiotic supplemented group at the end of eight weeks of age. It can be concluded that probiotic supplementation in standard broiler ration at a lower level was beneficial in the early stages of growth.
Open Access
Effect of dietary supplementation of Baker`s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on the performance of broilers
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2004) Renjith, P M; KAU; Amritha Viswanath
An experiment was designed and conducted at the Department of Poultry Science to investigate the effect of feeding baker's yeast on growth, feed consumption and nutrient utilization of broilers. One hundred and forty four day old commercial broiler chicks were reared under three different treatments with four replicates per treatment. The treatment consisted of control diet with standard broiler ration (Tl ) and 1'2 and T3 with 0.3 and 0.6 per cent baker's yeast supplemented respectively with control diet. Chicks were reared under standard managemental conditions up to 8 weeks of age. Broiler starter ration was fed up to 6 weeks of age and finisher ration up to 8 weeks of age. Results of the study revealed that cumulative body weight and body weight gain up to six weeks and eight weeks of age were not affected by the inclusion of yeast. Mean weekly feed consumption recorded significant (P<0.05) difference between treatment during fifth, seventh and eighth weeks of age. Cumulative feed intake up to six weeks and eight weeks of age did not dfffer significantly. But yeast supplemented groups recorded numerically lower feed consumption compared to control group. Feed conversion ratio revealed significant difference (P< 0.05) at sixth week of age recording lower feed efficiency, in 1'2 and T3 compared to control (TJ). But cumulative feed conversion ratio from zero to six weeks and zero to eight weeks of age did not differ significantly. Supplementation of baker's yeast had no effect on processing yields and losses. Numerically lower fat deposition was recorded in yeast supplemented groups than in control group, eventhough there was no significant difference. The addition of yeast at 0.3 per cent and 0.6 per cent levels significantly increased (P<0.05) crude fiber digestibility. Other parameters like retention of dry matter, nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus were not affected by yeast supplementation. Serum protein, serum cholesterol and livability were not affected by yeast supplementation. The net profit per bird was less in yeast supplemented group compared to control group. The higher cost of feed resulted in lower economical return from the treatment groups. The result suggests that inclusion of yeast is not beneficial on economical point of view. However the lower fat deposition consequent to yeast supplementation seems to be advantageous.
Open Access
Comparative evaluation of membrane protein and biofilm vaccines against duck pasteurellosis
(Department Of Poultry Sciences,College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Indu, K; KAU; Krishnan Nair, C
A research work was undertaken to prepare effective vaccines against P. multocida grown under different conditions and assess their immunopotency in one month old ducklings. The purity of the Pasteurella multocida A: 1 strain (DP1) and A: 4 strain (PA4) was confirmed as per standard procedures. Pathogenicity of DP1 and PA4 was assessed in six to eight week old mice. The isolates killed the intraperitoneally inoculated mice within eight hours and within 24 h when injected by subcutaneous route. Pasteurella multocida A: 1 was used for the preparation of different vaccines. The organism was grown in BHIB for preparation of ordinary bacterin. The in vitro biofilm formation of the organism was assessed by growing it under nutrient restricted conditions. For this, the organism was grown in TSB (0.32 per cent) supplemented with 0.3 per cent bentonite clay. For preparation of OMP suspension, the organism was grown in iron restricted condition viz., BHIB supplemented with 100 µM 2, 2’ Dipyridyl and the OMPs were extracted using sodium lauryl sarcosinate. The protein concentration of OMP suspension was estimated to be 3 mg/ml. Median lethal dose (LD50) of DP1 was 10-7.5, which contained 32 viable cells/ ml and that of PA4 was 10-7.38, which contained 24 viable cells/ ml when determined in one month old ducklings. Oil adjuvant vaccines were prepared using ordinary bacterin, bacterin made from biofilm and OMP suspension and performed the sterility, safety and potency tests of the vaccine employing standard procedures. A total of 260 four week old ducklings were divided into four groups with 65 birds in each group and the first three groups were vaccinated with ordinary bacterin, OMP vaccine and biofilm vaccine respectively. The fourth group served as control. The birds were vaccinated with 0.5 millilitre of vaccine intramuscularly in the thigh region. Blood was collected from all the ducks pre-vaccination, at weekly intervals upto 3 weeks post vaccination (PV) and then at 15 days interval upto 60 days, by cardiac puncture or by jugular venipuncture. Passive haemagglutination using GA-SRBC sensitized with sonicated antigen of DP1 was used to measure the humoral immune response. The IHA titres obtained for biofilm vaccine group on day 14 was very much higher than the other two groups. The antibody titre was observed from day seven onwards for all the groups. All the vaccine groups have shown significant difference from the control group at all the stages of the study. On homologous challenging, biofilm vaccine gave higher protection rates of 80 per cent than the 70 and 50 per cent protection rates of ordinary bacterin and OMP vaccine respectively, when challenged with 100 LD50 dose on day 20 PV. On day 60 PV, biofilm vaccine gave higher protection rate of 70 per cent than the 60 and 50 per cent protection rates respectively of ordinary bacterin and OMP vaccine, when challenged with 100 LD50 dose. On heterologous challenging, biofilm vaccine gave higher protection rates of 70 per cent, while only 50 per cent protection was afforded by both bacterin and OMP vaccine, when challenged with 100 LD50 dose on 20 day PV. On day 60 PV, biofilm vaccine gave higher protection rate of 60 per cent while both the other vaccines gave only 50 per cent protection, when challenged with 100 LD50 dose. All the birds challenged on day 40 PV, either with homologous and heterologous organisms died. In most cases, the death occurred due to coliform infection along with stressful factor such as increased atmospheric humidity due to heavy rainfall at that time. In few cases, birds died due to pasteurellosis which might be due to lack of protective level of antibody titre. Biofilm vaccine proved to be the best among the three vaccines tried. Further field trials are to be done before advocating this vaccine for commercial use.
Open Access
Influence of mating ratio on fertility and hatchability in Japanese quails
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2009) Suraj Amrutkar, A; KAU; Leo Joseph
An experiment was carried out to study the influence of mating ratio on fertility, hatchability and other productive traits in Japanese quails maintained at University Poultry Farm, Mannuthy. A total of 376 breeder Japanese quails at 6 weeks of age were allotted randomly to four groups with a male female ratio of 1: 3 (T1), 1: 4 (T2), 1: 5 (T3) and 1: 6 (T4) with four replicate each. The number of male and female breeders employed in the treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 24 & 72, 20 & 80, 16 & 80 and 12 & 72, respectively. Standard managemental practices were followed uniformly. Quail breeder ration which contained 22.75 per cent crude protein and 2650 kcal metabolizable energy per kg feed was fed to all mating groups. The T1, T2 and T3 treatment groups were similar but a T4 group differed significantly from the other groups for 6 weeks and 16 weeks body weight. The age at first egg, 10 and 50 per cent production was similar (p < 0.05) in all the treatment groups. The results revealed that mean egg number and mean per cent production did not differ significantly in all the treatment groups. Statistical analysis of the mean data on egg weight revealed no significant difference between treatment means at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. The overall mean fertility in the treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 92.65, 90.45, 91.21 and 90.71 per cent, respectively and statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between treatment groups. The overall mean hatchability on total egg in the treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 86.22, 84.71, 83.86 and 84.78 per cent, respectively and statistical analysis did not reveal any significant difference (p<0.05) between treatment groups. The overall mean hatchability on fertile egg in treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 93.04, 93.62, 91.95 and 93.43 per cent, respectively and the means were statistically similar (P<0.05). The total number of chicks obtained from 9 to 16 weeks of age was similar in all treatment groups. Margin per quail housed in the treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 were Rs. 113, 117, 125 and 132, respectively. The T4 treatment group had highest margin than other treatment groups. Cost of production per chick in the treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 were Rs. 2.21, 2.19, 2.10 and 2.04, respectively. The T4 treatment group had lowest cost of production per chick as compared to other treatment groups. The critical evaluation of the result revealed that changing the mating ratio from 1: 3 to 1: 6 did not affect fertility, hatchability and other production traits. Therefore a sex ratio of 1: 6 is recommended in the quail line since it is more economical compared to other sex ratios of 1: 3, 4 & 5.
Open Access
Assessment of the shelf life of quail egg pickle
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Deepa, Menon; KAU; Narayanankutty, K
An investigation was carried out at the Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy to assess the shelf life of vinegar, oil based quail egg pickle with and without potassium sorbate. The quality characteristics of the product packed in HDPE pouches as influenced by the period of ambient storage was evaluated at monthly intervals. The mean weight of raw quail eggs used for pickling was 10.94 ± 0.02 g and that of cooked and peeled eggs was 9. 15 ± 0.06g. Therefore the cooking yield was found to be 83.63 ± 0.02 per cent. The product was stored for a period of 120 days and it was found that it was acceptable up to 90 days. The control and treatment groups were evaluated in terms of qualitative parameters namely pH, proximate composition, oxidative rancidity (TBARS number), total viable count of mesophilic bacteria, yeast and mould count and organoleptic qualities. It was observed that during the period of study, from the day of production to 90 days of storage, the pH of quail egg pickle increased significantly (P < 0.01) from 3.60 ± 0.01 to 4. 76 + 0.01 for the control group and 3.59 ± 0.01 to 4.73 ± 0.01 for the treatment group, respectively. Though there was no significant difference between the two groups, within the same period of storage, the proximate composition of the pickle was significantly (P < 0.01) affected irrespective of the treatments. There was a gradual but significant (P < 0.01) increase in 2_thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) number in both the groups, during storage. The treatment group showed statistically lower TBARS numbers at 60 and 90 days of storage, when compared to the control. The total viable count in both the groups increased significantly (P < 0.01) during storage but were well within the acceptable limit up to 90 days. There was no significant difference between the control and treatment groups, even though the treatment group had comparatively lower values throughout the storage period. The freshly prepared pickle did not have any yeast or mould population. There was a gradual and significant (P< 0.01) increase in the yeast and mould count with the progress in storage period, however, significantly (P< 0.05) lower counts were detected in the treatment group at 30, 60 and 90 days of storage. In the case of organoleptic evaluation, the mean panel scores for flavour were 5. 50, 5. 72, 5. 14 and 4. 83 respectively for the control group on zero, 30, 60 and 90 days of storage. The corresponding values for the treatment group were 5. 67, 6. 00, 5. 33 and 5.00, respectively. On working out the cost of production of pickle, it was found to be quite economical. The cost of kilogram of quail egg pickle was Rs. 74.39 and Rs. 74.72, respectively for the control and treatment groups. Henceforth it was concluded that nutritious, tasty and ready to eat quail egg pickle could be prepared with vinegar, gingelly oil and potassium sorbate, packed in HDPR pouches and stored safely for a period of 90 days at ambient temperature.
Open Access
Influence of microbial phytase on nutrient utilization in broilers
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Balasubramanian, D; KAU; Jalaludeen, A
An eight week feeding trial using 180 day-old broiler chicks was conducted to study the influence of phytase supplementation (Natuphos''^-5000) on nutrient utilization and subsequent performance. Treatments involved a standard broiler diet, a low available phosphorus (LAP) diet and the low available phosphorus diet plus graded levels of phytase at the rate of 500, 750 and 1000 units / kg diet. The groups fed standard broiler diet and low available phosphorus diets supplemented with 750 and 1000 units phytase showed significantly (P<0.01) higher body weight and weight gain. The cumulative feed intake was statistically comparable among the experimental diets at sixth week, whereas, at eighth week it was significantly (P<0.05) lower in LAP diet without phytase than that of other diets. The feed conversion ratio was significantly (P<0.01) improved by the addition of phytase at 750 and 1000 units / kg in comparison to low available phosphorus diet. Graded levels of phytase addition linearly improved nitrogen retention while energy retention was significantly (P<0.01) higher in groups fed 750 and 1000 units of phytase / kg. The addition of 750 and 1000 units of phytase / kg diet significantly (P<0.01) increased the availability of calcium while phosphorus availability was improved by all levels of enzyme 500, 750 and 1000 units / kg. The excretion of phosphorus was significantly (P<0.01) reduced in enzyme supplemented groups. The availability of manganese and zinc was significantly more in enzyme supplemented groups. Tibial ash, serum calcium and serum inorganic phosphorus were significantly (P<0.01) increased by the addition of 750 and 1000 units of dietary phytase / kg both at sixth and eighth week of age. The serum alkaline phosphatase level was significantly (PO.Ol) decreased in the diets supplemented with phytase. Supplementation of phytase had no effect on per cent dressed yield and giblet yield. The per cent R-to-C yield was significantly (P<0.05) higher in groups fed standard diet, LAP diet and 500 units phytase supplemented diet at sixth week. Whereas at eighth week it was significantly (P<0.05) higher in groups fed standard diet and 1000 units phytase added diet. The livability was not influenced by dietary phytase and available phosphorus levels. The net profit per kg live weight at eighth week was 29, 94 and 85 paise higher in groups fed 500, 750 and 1000 units of phytase, respectively in comparison to LAP diet. The results suggested that supplementation of 750 units of phytase per kg in low available phosphorus diets is advantageous for commercial broiler chicken production.
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
Effect of esterified glucomannan on alleviation of aflatoxicosis in broiler chicken
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Maldhure, Niteen Arvind; KAU; Richard, Churchil R
An experiment was conducted at the Department of Poultry Science to investigate the effect of esterified glucomannan (E-GM) on alleviation of aflatoxicosis in broiler chicken. Day old broiler chicks numbering two hundred were reared under four different treatments with five replicates of ten chicks each. The four dietary treatments were T1 (control), T2 (1 ppm aflatoxin B1), T3 (0.1 per cent E-GM) and T4 (1 ppm aflatoxin B1 plus 0.1 per cent E-GM). Chicks were reared under standard managemental conditions up to six weeks of age. The broiler starter ration was fed from zero to four weeks and finisher ration from five to six weeks of age. Results of the study revealed that, inclusion of aflatoxin B1 (1 ppm) adversely affected the weekly body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency and overall livability during the experimental period. Serum concentrations of total protein, albumin and cholesterol in broilers fed 1 ppm aflatoxin B1 were significantly (P<0.05) depressed whereas; serum glucose level was significantly (P<0.05) elevated than control. Aflatoxin B1 caused significant increase in relative weights of liver, spleen and kidney. No significant difference existed between treatments for relative weights of bursa of Fabricius. The per cent dressed and eviscerated yields were significantly (P<0.05) decreased whereas giblet yield was significantly (P<0.05) increased in aflatoxin treated group. The per cent ready-to-cook yield, blood loss, feather loss and total loss were not influenced by dietary supplementation of aflatoxin B1. Supplementation of E-GM to toxin free diet caused no significant difference in the weekly body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, relative organ weights, serum parameters and processing yields compared to control. Livability was better in T3 than control during the experimental period. Inclusion of E-GM in the aflatoxin B1 treated diet significantly counteracted the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 on final body weight, cumulative weight gain and feed consumption and feed efficiency up to sixth week of age. Decreased level of serum total protein, albumin and cholesterol and increased glucose level due to aflatoxin feeding was restored to normal level. The altered relative weights of liver, spleen and kidney due to aflatoxin feeding were significantly improved by E-GM supplementation. The per cent eviscerated, dressed yield and giblet yield were restored by supplementation of E-GM to aflatoxin B1 treated feed. However no effect was observed on ready to cook yield, blood loss, feather loss and total loss compared to other treatments. The reduction in net profit per kg body weight caused by dietary aflatoxin was increased substantially by supplementation of E-GM to the contaminated feed.
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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