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Subject: Poultry Science × End date: 2008 × Start date: 2008 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen 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.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Dietary supplementation of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) in layer quails (Coturnix coturnix)
    (Department Of Poultry Sciences,College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Bhadra, P V; KAU; Anitha, P
    An experiment was carried out to study the effect of dietary supplementation of turmeric and tulasi on production performance of Japanese quail layers. One hundred and sixty Japanese quails at 6 weeks of age were allocated randomly to four dietary groups with four replicates of ten quails each. Quail layer ration containing 22 per cent crude protein and 2650 kcal ME per kg feed formed the control diet T1. The control diet supplemented with dried turmeric rhizome powder, dried tulasi leaves and a combination of both each at 0.3 per cent level formed the diets T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The experiment was carried out for five periods of 28 days each from 7 to 26 weeks of age. The body weight at 6 and 26 weeks of age and the body weight gain during experimental period did not differ significantly between dietary treatments. Even though the age at first egg in the flock in dietary groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 was 48, 50, 49 and 49 days respectively, the mean age at 50 per cent production were almost similar in all dietary groups. The results obtained in the study revealed that period wise and cumulative mean values of quail housed and quail day egg number and per cent production, egg mass, daily feed consumption, FCR per dozen eggs and per kg egg mass did not differ significantly between dietary groups. The overall mean egg weight for three consecutive days towards the end of 10,14, 18, 22 and 26 weeks of age were non significant. Statistical analysis of the data pertaining to dressed, eviscerated, giblet and ready-to-cook yields revealed no significant difference between dietary groups. The loss of blood in dietary groups were significantly (P≤0.05) higher in group in T1 in comparison with group T4. While the mean values of feather loss showed no significant difference. The dietary supplementation of turmeric and tulasi combination (T4) significantly improved the haemoglobin and total leucocyte count in comparison with the control group whereas total erythrocyte count revealed no significant difference. The mean values of total cholesterol in serum differed significantly among each other (P≤0.05). Egg yolk cholesterol in group T3 and T4 showed significantly lower values in comparison with T1 (P≤0.05). Serum protein level in various dietary groups did not differ significantly among each other. The overall livability per cent was not adversely affected in turmeric and tulasi fed quails. The cost of feed per egg was lower in T2 and T3 (Rs. 0.43) compared to T1 (Rs. 0.47) and was intermediary in T4 (Rs. 0.45). The critical evaluation of the results revealed that the supplementation of dried turmeric and tulasi leaves separately and in combination, each at 0.3 per cent level in quail layer diets resulted in numerical increase in egg production leading to economical advantages.
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    ThesisItemRestricted
    Effect of dietary inclusion of azolla (Azolla pinnata) on production performance of broiler chicken
    (Department Of Poultry Sciences,College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Balaji, K; KAU; Jalaludeen, A
    An experiment was carried out at the Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy, to investigate the effect of dietary inclusion of sun dried and ground Azolla (Azolla pinnata) on growth performance of broiler chicken. The study was conducted for a period of six weeks with one hundred and sixty, day-old commercial broiler chicks. The chicks were divided into four different treatments with four replicates of ten chicks each. The T1 was control with standard broiler ration and dried Azolla powder was supplemented in the basal diet at 1.5 per cent (T2), 3.0 per cent (T3) and 4.5 per cent (T4). The rations were made isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Chicks were reared under standard managemental conditions up to six weeks of age. The broiler starter ration was fed from 0 to 4 weeks of age and thereafter finisher ration during fifth and sixth week of age. Results of the present study revealed that supplementation of dried Azolla did not influence final body weight of broilers. The cumulative body weight gain up to sixth week of age did not reveal any significant difference among treatments. However, there was numerical reduction in both body weight and weight gain due to Azolla supplementation. The cumulative feed intake up to sixth week of age did not reveal any significant difference among treatments. But numerically lower feed consumption was recorded in 1.5 per cent (T2) and 3.0 per cent (T3) Azolla supplemented groups. The cumulative feed efficiency up to six week of age revealed no significant difference among the treatment groups. Although feed efficiency was numerically more with Azolla supplemented groups the differences were negligible. The per cent dressed yield, eviscerated yield, ready-to-cook yield, feather loss and total loss in broilers were not influenced by dietary supplementation of dried Azolla. The per cent giblet yield of birds fed with 4.5 per cent Azolla (T4) was significantly higher (P≤0.05) than control and other treatments. Giblet yield was low (P≤0.05) with 3.0 per cent Azolla supplemented group. The dietary supplementation of dried Azolla at 1.5 per cent level numerically reduced the serum total cholesterol level, while at 3.0 and 4.5 per cent levels (T3 and T4) there were significant (P≤0.05) reductions in serum total cholesterol. The dietary supplementation of dried Azolla at 4.5 (T4) per cent had significantly higher (P≤0.05) serum creatinine value than other treatment groups. The supplementation of Azolla at 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 per cent levels significantly (P≤0.05) reduced the breast meat cholesterol in broilers. The supplementation of Azolla at 3.0 and 4.5 per cent levels significantly reduced the thigh meat cholesterol in broilers than control and 1.5 per cent Azolla fed groups. The livability of birds in all four treatments were comparatively similar up to two weeks of age. However, at the end of experiment birds in 3.0 and 4.5 per cent Azolla supplemented groups livability per cent was less to the extent of 5 and 2.5 per cent respectively than control and 1.5 per cent Azolla fed group. Net profit per kg body weight was slightly lowered as a result of inclusion of dried Azolla at all three levels in broiler diet. The results of the present study suggest dried Azolla can be incorporated in broiler rations up to 4.5 per cent without affecting the economic traits. Moreover, dietary inclusion of dried Azolla in broiler rations is beneficial for substantial reduction in the cholesterol content of poultry meat.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Growth and dressing percentage of turkeys reared of diffrent feeding regimen
    (Department Of Poultry Sciences,College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Chandini, Herman; KAU; Jalaludeen, A
    An experiment was conducted at the Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy to study the growth and dressing percentage of turkeys reared on different feeding regimen. Ninety six, day-old Beltsville Small White turkey poults were reared under two dietary groups with six replicates of eight birds each. The group T1 was fed with feed compounded as per NRC (1994) turkey feed specifications and T2 group was fed with BIS (1992) broiler feed. NRC diet fed group (T1) had feed change in every four week interval with CP level starting from 28% during the first four week period, gradually reduced in the subsequent 4 week periods and in the last phase of 17 to 20 weeks it was 16.5%. T2 group was fed with broiler starter diet with 23% CP and 2800 kcal ME/kg from 0 to 16 weeks and finisher diet having 20% CP and 2900 kcal ME/kg from 17 to 20 weeks of age. The turkeys were reared under standard managemental conditions up to twenty weeks of age. Body weight was recorded for individual birds at fortnightly intervals and feed balance per replicate was recorded at weekly interval. At the end of the trial, slaughter studies were conducted from two birds per replicate and blood samples were collected for serum profile studies. The mean body weight at the end of twenty weeks of age was 4338.09 and 4456.92 g respectively in T1 and T2, which was statistically comparable. Cumulative body weight gain for zero to 20 weeks was 4289.73 and 4408.51 g respectively for T1 and T2 and was statistically comparable. Cumulative feed intake for zero to 16 weeks of age was 10542.08 and 11455.00 g respectively for T1 and T2 which showed statistical difference at 5% level. The cumulative feed intake from zero to 20 weeks of age was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T2 (15735.89 g) than T1(14310.69 g). The cumulative feed conversion ratio for zero to 16 and zero to 20 weeks showed significantly (P < 0.050) superior values for T1(3.02 and 3.34 respectively) than T2 (3.14 and 3.53 respectively). Cumulative feed intake and cumulative FCR for zero to twelve weeks were nonsignificant. The dressing percentage, eviscerated yield, ready to cook yield, and giblet yield were not influenced by the dietary regimen. The diets studied did not have any influence on the serum total protein and serum total cholesterol values in turkeys. But thigh meat cholesterol in male turkeys was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in T1 than in T2. Dietary regimen had no effect in altering the breast meat cholesterol in turkeys. Livability in both the groups was unaffected by change in diet. The results obtained from this study showed that turkeys reared for meat purpose can be economically raised by feeding them with BIS broiler feed.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of dietary inclusion of azolla for growth in quail(coturnix coturnix)
    (Department Of Poultry Sciences,College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Shamna, T P; KAU; Peethambaran, P A
    An experiment was carried out at the Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy, to study the effect of dietary inclusion of dried Azolla on growth of Japanese quails. The economics of feeding Azolla to quails up to six weeks of age was evaluated. One hundred and ninety two (192), day old Japanese quail chicks weighed individually, distributed randomly to four dietary groups each with four replicates of twelve quails. A control ration with 26 per cent crude protein and 2700 kcal ME per kg was formulated. Dried Azolla was included in the basal diet at levels of 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 per cent to form the dietary groupsT1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively and all the rations were made isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The quails were housed replicate wise in separate cages with dimension of 76 x 63 x 26 cm. Standard management conditions were maintained uniformly through out the experiment from 0 to 6 weeks of age. The body weight weight gains, feed consumption and FCR were recorded weekly and cumulative basis. The mortality was recorded at occurrence and per cent livability was worked out in each group. At the end of sixth week of age, two quails from each replicate were sacrificed to study the carcass yields and losses. The meat from breast and thigh were collected from each carcass and the total cholesterol was estimated. Blood samples were collected at the time of slaughter and total cholesterol, creatinine, total protein and uric acid in serum were estimated. Economics over feed cost was calculated based on the prevailing cost of feed ingredients. The sale price of quails based on live weight and R to C yield were used to evaluate the economics of incorporation of Azolla in quail diets. The salient results obtained in the study are presented below. The mean BW of quails was162.40, 159.47, 155.61 and 151.73 g at fifth week and that at sixth week of age was177.16, 175.42, 169.81 and 164.07 g in groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. The BW of quails fed 5.0 and 7.5 per cent of Azolla was significantly lower than that of control group (P≤0.05) at both these ages. The cumulative feed intake per quail in groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 from 0 to 5 weeks (551.81, 552.44, 559.44 and 560.21 g) and 0 to 6 weeks (745.33, 742.55, 743.13 and 750.87 g) was comparable among each other. The cumulative body weight gain at both 5th and 6th week was significantly lower with quails fed 7.5 per cent Azolla than that of control group (P≤0.05). At these ages the cumulative FCR observed in this group was significantly higher compared with all other groups. The giblet yield of 4.81 per cent in quails fed 2.5 per cent Azolla was significantly higher than that of control group (4.08 per cent). The R-to-C yield (76.78 per cent) and the gizzard per cent (1.90) recorded in quails fed 5.0 per cent Azolla was significantly higher than that of control group. The R-to-C yield of 75.45, in quails fed 2.5 Azolla was numerically higher than the control fed group(71.14per cent). The serum cholesterol was significantly lower with 5.0 and 7.5 per cent levels of Azolla than that of control group. The total protein, creatinine and uric acid in serum and cholesterol content both in breast and thigh meat were not affected by inclusion of Azolla in quail diet. The margin of return over feed cost plus chick cost per quail was Rs.5.11, 4.85, 4.44 and 4.08 at five week followed by 4.45, 4.35, 3.85 and 3.25 at six week in groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively with low economic return. Based on the above findings, it was concluded that the sixth week body weight, the cumulative feed intake, FCR and R-to-C yield in quails fed 2.5 per cent Azolla was comparable with that of control group. These results clearly indicated that the incorporation of the dried Azolla at 2.5 per cent level can be recommended for feeding Japanese quails. It is also recommended to market quails for meat purpose at fifth week itself instead of sixth week of age, since the weight gain and FCR were found to be deteriorating markedly at sixth week compared to fifth week.