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ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF RUMEN FERMENTATION PATTERN AND NUTRIENT UTILIZATION IN MURRAH BUFFALO, VECHUR AND CROSSBRED CATTLE ON DIFFERENT FEEDING REGIMEN(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, 2018-12-30) SAJITH PURUSHOTHAMAN; Shyama K.A study was conducted to assess the rumen fermentation pattern and nutrient utilization in Murrah buffaloes, Vechur and Crossbred cows fed different total mixed rations (TMR). Six each of Murrah buffalo, Vechur and crossbred calves were selected as uniformly as possible with regard to age (8-12 months), sex and body weight from Vechur farm, University Livestock Farm and Fodder Research and Development Scheme, Mannuthy and formed three treatment groups. In phase-I all the animals were fed with standard farm ration as TMR for a period of one month and rumen fermentation profile, nutrient digestibility, hematological profile and microbial protein production was studied. Thirty TMRs were prepared using unconventional feed ingredients available locally and green grass in 50:50 and in vitro evaluation of 30 TMRs in all three species was conducted using in vitro gas production technique (IVGPT). Ranking of the TMR’s was done using cluster analysis and two best TMR for each species were selected. Using the two TMR selected, two feeding trials of one month duration was conducted for all three species. The results revealed that rumen fermentation parameters such as rumen ammonia nitrogen, TCA nitrogen and total nitrogen were non significant between the groups. Crossbred cows fed with TMR containing dhanwantharam thailam residue (trial-I) showed significant increase in dry matter intake (per 100 kg and per unit metabolic body weight) than TMR containing rape seed cake (trial-II). Haematological and biochemical parameters falls in the physiological range for both groups. Apparent digestibility co-efficient for TMR containing dhanwantharam thailam residue showed significant improvement for ether extract digestibility while crude fiber digestibility was more in Trial-II. On volatile fatty acid analysis it showed increased concentration for acetic acid in trial-I while propionic acid production was improved in trial-II. In Murrah buffaloes, group fed with TMRs containing turmeric waste (trial-I) and tapioca starch waste (trial-II) did not show any significant difference for rumen fermentation parameters. Animals fed with TMR-I containing turmeric waste showed significantly improved digestibility for crude protein, organic matter and nitrogen free extract than animals fed TMR-2 containing tapioca starch waste. Volatile fatty acid profile showed increased concentration of acetic acid and acetate: propionate ratio in TMR-2. In Vechur cows animals fed with TMR containing soya sauce waste (trial-I) showed a significantly increased total nitrogen content than animals fed with tapioca starch waste in trial-II and control. All haematological parameters were not significant among animals of different groups and well within the normal range. In Vechur cows on volatile fatty acid analysis TMR-I fed animals showed improved acetic acid and total volatile fatty acid production than TMR-II and control. DMI/100 kg bodyweight and DMI/kg metabolic body weight were also significantly improved in Trail-I than as compared to animals fed with tapioca starch waste in trial-II. On thorough examination of results, it can be concluded that crossbred cows fed with TMR containing dhanwantharam thailam residues showed improved nutrient digestibility than animals fed with TMR containing rape seed cake without any difference in rumen fermentation parameters and hence can be recommended. In Murrah buffaloes, the group fed with TMR containing turmeric waste showed better performance and hence can be recommended. In Vechur cows the TMR containing soya sauce waste fed animal showed better nutrient digestibility and dry matter intake and hence recommended.ThesisItem Open Access NUTRITIVE EVALUATION OF PALMYRA (Borassus flabellifer) SEEDHUSK AND SUGAR CANE (Saccharum officinarum) BAGASSE IN CROSSBRED CALVES(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2018) SANOODH MOHAMMED AV; Deepa AnanthAn experiment was conducted to assess the effect of 50 percent replacement of green grass with Palmyra seed husk or sugar cane bagasse in complete feed on growth in crossbred calves. Three complete rations having 70:30 concentrate: roughage ratio, with grass (T1), 50 per cent replacement of grass with Palmyra seed husk (T2) and 50 per cent replacement of grass with sugar cane bagasse (T3) on dry matter basis, as roughage source were prepared and evaluated for their nutritive value. Eighteen healthy female cross bred calves, six to seven months of age were selected from ULF, Mannuthy as uniformly as possible with regard to age and weight, and randomly allotted to three dietary treatments T1, T2 and T3 and fed with respective experimental rations as per NRC (2001) for a period of 90 days. The animals were fed twice daily and the balance of feed was collected for obtaining daily dry matter intake. The record of daily feed intake and fortnightly bodyweight of all the experimental animals were maintained throughout the experimental period. At the end of the feeding trial a digestibility trial for five days was conducted by total collection method. Feed, fodder and dung samples were analysed for proximate principles (AOAC, 2012). Blood samples were collected from the experimental animals at the beginning and end of the trial and was analysed for serum calcium, serum phosphorus, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, serum total protein, albumin (using standard kits) and haemoglobin (using blood analyser). The bodyweight gain obtained was 43.40± 2.44, 36.78± 1.64, 42.38± 2.39 Kg in 90 days period. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the fortnightly body weight and average daily gain. Dry matter intake per Kg metabolic body weight was significantly lower in T3 animals in all the fortnights compared to the T1 and T2. The feed conversion efficiency obtained were 4.87 ±0.18, 5.61 ±0.28 and 4.76 ±0.12 and was higher (P<0.01) for T1and T3. The digestibility trial revealed that all the three treatments had similar dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre digestibility (P>0.05) while the ether extract digestibility was higher (P<0.01) for T3 than that of T1 andT2 ration. Cost of production when calculated in terms of feed cost per kg body weight gain was lower for T3 and T2 than that of T1. Hence, the study indicated that the calves could be raised on 50% replacement of green grass with Palmyra seed husk or sugar cane bagasse with optimum weight gain. However, the feed efficiency on 50% replacement of Palmyra was lower and cost of feed/kg body weight gain was lowest in calves fed on sugar cane bagasse.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF COMPLETE FEEDS IN MALABARI KIDS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2018) SUMAYYA K. K; Ally.KAn experiment was conducted in Malabari kids for a period of three months to assess the effect complete feeds on growth performance. Twenty healthy Malabari kids of three to four months of age were selected and divided into four groups of five each, as uniformly as possible with regard to age, sex and body weight and were allotted randomly to experimental rations. All the experimental animals were fed with experimental rations containing different levels of crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN). T1 (complete feed containing 16 per cent CP and 60 per cent TDN), T2 (complete feed containing 16 per cent CP and 70 per cent TDN), T3 (complete feed containing 14 per cent CP and 60 per cent TDN) and T4 (complete feed containing 14 per cent CP and 70 per cent TDN). Data on daily dry matter (DM) intake, fortnightly body weight, digestibility trial and haemato-biochemical parameters like haemoglobin, total protein, calcium, phosphorus, and glucose and techno economics of production were employed for evaluation of different treatments. Average daily gain and total weight gain were 46.07g and 4.14kg, 42.12 g and 3.79 kg, 38.68g and 3.48 kg and 59.51 and 4.95, respectively for kids fed T1, T2, T3 and T4. There was no significant difference between group. Total dry matter intake of kids was 20.66, 20.83, 20.34 and 21.49 kg, respectively for T1, T2, T3 and T4 and they were similar. Feed conversion efficiency for kids fed T1, T2, T3 and T4 was 5.58, 6.58, 6.20 and 4.42, respectively. The digestibility coefficient of nutrients was 73.43, 75.14,71.35 and 71.18 for DM , 70.15, 76.02, 65.97and 65.58 for CP, 64.47, 63.68, 53.45 and 57.29 for crude fibre, 81.27, 79.57, 79.94 and 80.59 for ether extract and 80.78, 81.69, 79.90 and 79.68 for nitrogen free extract, respectively for kids fed T1 , T2 ,T3 and T4. There was a significant difference between T1(70.15), T2(76.02) compared with T3(65.97), T4(65.58) and there was significant difference between T1(70.15), T3(65.97), T4(65.58) with T2(76.02) regarding the CP digestibility (P < 0.05). Statistical analysis revealed there was significant difference in CF digestibility (P < 0.05) of T1 (64.47), T2 (63.68) compared to T3 (53.45), T4(57.29) and there was significantly higher CF digestibility (P < 0.05) of T1(64.47), T2(63.68) with T3(53.45). The haematological and serum biochemical parameters such as haemoglobin, serum total protein, calcium, phosphorus, glucose did not show any significant difference between the treatments and the values were within the normal range reported for the species except phosphorus. The feed cost (Rs) per kg body weight gain for the kids fed T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 100.13, 138.47, 116.84 and 85.65, respectively and there was no significant difference in cost of product per kg gain between treatments. From the results obtained on the present study it could be observed that average daily gain and cost per kg gain is better in T4 when compared to other treatment so it could be concluded that a complete feed with 14 per cent CP and 70 per cent TDN is sufficient to support growth rate in Malabari kid of 3 to 7 months of age and it is also economical.ThesisItem Open Access DIETARY INCORPORATION OF COOKED BARLEY AND SPENT GRAPES AS ENERGY SOURCE IN LARGE WHITE YORKSHIRE SOWS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2018) SACHIN TRIPURA; Shyama K.An experiment was carried out for a period of 63 days in Large White Yorkshire pregnant sows belonging to Centre for Pig Production and Research, Mannuthy to assess the effect of dietary incorporation of cooked barley and spent grapes as energy source. Fifteen Large White Yorkshire sows with an average body weight of 180.53 kg, three weeks prior to the estimated date of farrowing were divided into three groups of five each and randomly allotted to three dietary treatments, T1 (18 per cent CP and 3265 kcal/kg ME as per NRC, 2012), T2 (Ration containing cooked barley replacing 25 per cent maize in control ration), T3 (Ration containing spent grapes replacing 25 per cent maize in control ration), using completely randomized design. All the diets were made isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Data on daily dry matter intake, litter performance, body weight at fortnightly intervals of sows and piglets, total body weight gain, average daily gain, feed conversion efficiency of piglets, chemical composition of feed and faeces, digestibility of nutrients, mineral availability were used for evaluation of work. Cost of feed per kg body weight gain of piglets was also estimated. Average daily gain and total weight gain were 179.13 g, 161.92 g, 176.66 g and 7.52 kg, 6.80 kg, 7.42 kg, respectively for piglets fed T1, T2 and T3 ration and the values were similar. Average final body weight and total dry matter intake of piglets was 8.87, 8.25, 8.88 kg and 25.88, 25.24, 26.67 kg, respectively for T1, T2 and T3. The results of the study indicated that the piglets under dietary treatments T1, T2 and T3 showed similar growth performance with regards to average final body weight, total body weight gain, average daily weight gain and total dry matter intake during overall period. Feed conversion efficiency for piglets fed T1, T2 and T3 was 3.44, 3.73 and 3.77, respectively. Piglets showed no significant difference in feed conversion efficiency among the dietary treatments. The per cent digestibility of nutrients was 85.84, 85.19 and 85.93 for DM , 85.49, 83.30 and 84.60 for CP, 56.35, 54.29 and 57.10 for CF, 57.67, 55.56 and 59.47 for EE and 90.72, 90.73 and 90.31 for NFE, respectively for rations T1 , T2 59 and T3. Dietary treatments T1 and T3 showed higher apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and crude fibre than T2 ration. The per cent availability of calcium and phosphorus was 59.04, 57.60, 58.19 and 58.08, 54.33, 56.26 respectively for rations T1, T2 and T3. Higher mineral availability was observed in rations T1 and T3 than the T2. But no differences were observed among animals of dietary groups on body weight, feed intake, litter size and weight at birth, litter size and weight at weaning of piglets and apparent digestibility of nitrogen free extract and availability of magnesium of sows. Cost of feed per kg body weight gain of piglets retained on three dietary treatments were Rs. 94.25, 82.26 and 84.69 respectively. In economic point of view, there was no significant difference among the dietary treatments in terms of cost of feed per kg weight gain. But cost of feed per kg weight gain was lower in animals fed T2 and T3 than the control (T1), though not significant statistically. Hence it can concluded that cooked barley and spent grapes can be included effectively in sow ration without affecting litter performance and litter growth, replacing the energy source maize with a lesser cost of feed per kg body weight gain though not significant.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF DIETARY INCORPORATION OF ‘DHANWANTHARAM THAILAM’ RESIDUE ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE IN CROSSBRED CALVES(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2018) CHITHRIMA SEETHAL.C.R; P. GangadeviA feeding trial was conducted for a period of 90 days to assess the effect of dietary incorporation of Dhanwantharam thailam residue (DTR) on growth performance in calves. Eighteen healthy crossbred female calves of three to four months of age were selected from University Livestock Farm and Fodder Research and Development Scheme (ULF & FRDS), Mannuthy. They were divided into three groups of six animals each as uniformly as possible with regard to age, sex and body weight and were randomly allotted to one of the three dietary treatments, T1 (calf starter without DTR), T2 (calf starter with 20 per cent DTR) and T3(calf starter with 30 per cent DTR ) using CRD. All the experimental animals were fed as per ICAR feeding standard, 2013. Fresh good quality green grass was offered as the sole roughage. Data on body weight gain, daily dry matter consumption, feed conversion efficiency, digestibility of nutrients, haematological and serum biochemical parameters such as haemoglobin, serum total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, BUN, total cholesterol, HDLcholesterol, AST, ALT, calcium and phosphorus and cost of feed per kg body weight gain were the criteria employed for evaluation of the study. Average daily gain and total weight gain were 331.15 g and 27.82 kg, 375.20 g and 31.52 kg and 330.75 g and 27.78 kg, respectively for calves fed T1, T2 and T3 and the values were similar. Total dry matter intake of calves was 177.10, 188.44 and 178.36 kg, respectively for T1, T2 and T3 and they were statistically similar. Feed conversion efficiency for calves fed T1, T2 and T3 was 6.76, 6.02 and 6.44, respectively (P>0.05). The per cent digestibility of nutrients was 72.93, 75.49 and 80.33 for DM , 79.38, 81.95 and 86.67 for CP ,78.00, 82.94 and 84.04 for EE, 73.53, 73.78 and 77.80 for NFE, 61.85,61.97 and 70.58 for NDF and 41.41,45.77 and 55.09 for ADF , respectively for calves fed T1 , T2 and T3. There was significant improvement in the digestibility of DM, ADF (P<0.05) and CP (P<0.01) in T3 compared to T1 and T2. But there was no significant difference among the groups in the digestibility of other nutrients. The haematological and serum biochemical parameters such as total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol, calcium, ALT, AST, blood urea nitrogen did not show any significant difference between the treatments and the values were within the normal range reported for the species. But the blood haemoglobin and serum phosphorus were significantly higher in T2 and T3 compared to T1; however the values were within the normal range reported for the species. The feed cost per kg body weight gain for the calves fed T1, T2 and T3 were Rs. 151.13, 122.28 and 118.97, respectively. From the results obtained on the present study it could be observed that calves in T2 and T3 had similar growth performance as that of T1.The calves maintained on calf starter with DTR recorded reduced feed cost per kg body weight gain compared to calves fed calf starter without DTR. On summarizing the overall results of the present study it is inferred that Dhanwantharam thailam residue can be recommended as an ingredient in the concentrate mixture for calves up to 30 per cent level by replacing yellow maize.ThesisItem Open Access PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF WHOLE MILK WITH SOY MILK IN PRE-RUMINANT CALVES(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES, POOKODE WAYANAD, 2018) FAHMIDA.V; Biju ChackoA study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of soy milk as milk replacer in pre-ruminant calves on the basis of growth performance and nutrient utilisation. Eighteen healthy crossbred calves of one to two weeks of age, were selected from the Instructional Livestock Farm Complex (ILFC), Pookode. They were divided into three groups of six each, as uniformly as possible with regard to age, sex and body weight and randomly allotted to the three dietary treatments, T1, T2 and T3, with T1 being the control and T2 and T3 being the treatment groups and were fed as per ICAR (2013) feeding standards. Calves in group T1 were fed on whole milk alone, while those in T2 were fed on 75 per cent whole milk and 25 per cent soy milk and those in T3 were fed on 50 per cent whole milk and 50 per cent soy milk, on DM basis. Calves in all the three groups were fed with calf starter and ad libitum green grass, on DM basis On perusal of the data, it could be seen that the body weight and body measurements of calves fed on all three rations, T1, T2 and T3, increased linearly from the first fortnight onwards and was similar between treatments (P˃0.05). The average daily body weight gain of calves in groups T1, T2 and T3 were 0.21, 0.29 and 0.27 kg, respectively and were statistically similar (P˃0.05). The dry matter intake (DMI) of calves increased from the first fortnight onwards, with significant difference being observed from the second fortnight onwards in all the three groups, with the calves in T2 and T3 having significantly higher (P˂0.01) DMI than those in T1, with T2 and T3 being similar (P˃0.05) in DMI except in the sixth fortnight where T2 had a significantly higher DMI than T3 (P˂0.01). The average final daily DMI in groups T1, T2 and T3 was 1.35, 1.40 and 1.40 kg, respectively. These findings indicate that soy milk feeding stimulated calf appetite, which in turn resulted in increased calf starter intake and increased DMI. The data on DMI per 100 kg body weight and DMI per kg metabolic body weight were similar (P˂0.05) for calves in all the three groups. 75 The feed conversion efficiency of calves fed on three experimental rations, T1, T2 and T3 were 4.52, 3.44 and 3.25, respectively and similar (P˃0.05), with calves in groups T2 and T3 fed on soy milk at 25 and 50 per cent level having better feed efficiency than those in T1, fed on whole milk alone. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients such as DM, CP, CF, EE, NFE, NDF and ADF of calves fed on the experimental rations estimated from the digestion trial reveal that the digestibility coefficient of DM was significantly higher (P˂0.05) in T3 than T1 with T2 being similar (P˃0.05) to both T3 and T1. The CP digestibility was significantly higher (P<0.05) in calves fed on T1 than T2 and T3 with T2 and T3 being similar (P˃0.05). Digestibility coefficients of all other nutrients, viz; CF, EE, NFE, NDF and ADF were statistically similar (P˃0.05). Various haemato - biochemical parameters such as haemoglobin, plasma protein, plasma glucose, blood urea nitrogen, serum calcium and phosphorus were similar (P˃0.05) between the three treatment groups and were in normal range for calves. The cost per kg gain of calves in groups T1, T2 and T3 were Rs. 553.06, 412.43 and 366.45, respectively, with the lowest cost per kg gain observed in calves of group T3, followed by T2 and T1 in ascending order. A thorough evaluation of the results of the present investigation reveal that calves in groups T2 and T3 fed on soy milk at 25 and 50 per cent levels had a higher final body weight, increase in body weight and body measurements, average daily gain, significantly higher (P<0.05) dry matter intake, better feed conversion efficiency, higher dry matter digestibility (P<0.05) and lower cost per kg gain than those in T1 fed on whole milk alone, indicating that soy milk can be used to partially replace whole milk at 25 and 50 per cent levels, with 50 per cent being more economical. Such a replacement will help the farmers to rear calves economically by replacing the costly ingredient milk, without compromising on growth performance and nutrient utilisation of calvesThesisItem Open Access PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS FED WITH CASHEW APPLE WASTE SUPPLEMENTED WITH ENZYMES(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES, POOKODE WAYANAD, 2018) PALUCHURI VENKATRAMANA; S. Senthil MuruganThe current research was carried out to evaluate the performance and ileal digestibility of cashew apple waste (CAW) based broiler diets supplemented with NSP degrading enzymes. Two hundred and ten day-old vencobb broiler chicks were divided into seven groups with three replicates of 10 chicks in each. The CAW which was residue of cashew apple after juice extraction, procured from M/s. Plantation Corporation of Kerala (PCK), Kottayam. The exogenous cocktail enzymes with chemical composition (per kg) of amylase (24,00,000 Units), hemicellulase (54,00,000 Units), cellulase (1,20,00,000 Units), beta-gluconase (1,06,000 Units) and protease (24,00,000 Units) was used. The chemical composition of CAW estimated in this study contained 87.1 per cent dry matter, 96.20 per cent organic matter, 20.68 per cent crude protein, 2.9 per cent ether extract, 13.90 per cent crude fibre, 3.80 per cent total ash, 58.72 per cent nitrogen free extract. The control diet as per BIS (IS: 1374; 2007) recommendations was prepared with CAW at 0 per cent (G1), 5 per cent (G2), 10 per cent (G3), 5 per cent CAW with 500 g/ton of enzyme (G4), 5 per cent CAW with 750 g/ton of enzyme (G5), 10 per cent CAW with 500 g/ton of enzyme (G6) and 10 per cent CAW with 750 g/ton of enzyme The results of the present study indicated that supplementation of enzymes significantly increased body weight gain (g/bird) and improved feed conversion efficiency in CAW based diet like control group except group where received 10 per cent with 500 g/ton (G6) and without any significant changes in cumulative feed intake at six week of age between all the groups. The Ileal crude protein digestibility increased by 5.79 per cent in G5 as compared to control. The net profit per kg live weight was recorded more in 5 per cent CAW based diet with 500 g/ton enzyme supplementation. However, the present study recommends that CAW could be included in broiler diets at 10 per cent with 750 g/ton enzyme supplementation without any adverse effect.ThesisItem Open Access DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION OF DL-METHIONINE ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND EXPRESSION OF MYOGENIC GENES IN LOW HATCH WEIGHT BROILER CHICKS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES, POOKODE WAYANAD, 2018) JORUGE NAGARJUNA DEEPAK; S. Senthil MuruganThe present study was intended to elucidate the effect of DL- methionine (110 per cent and 120 per cent of BIS recommendation 2007) supplementation on growth performance and gene expression pattern of myogenic family viz., myostatin (mstn), myogenic factor 5 (myf5), myocyte enhancer factor 2 family of transcription factor B (mef2b) in breast muscles of low hatch weight broiler chicks. One hundred and sixty numbers of day-old vencobb-400 broiler chicks which comprising of low and optimum hatch weight (120 and 40 respectively) were purchased from the local hatchery. The day-old chicks with optimum hatch weight (42.0 to 45.0 g) were grouped as G1 and chicks with low hatch weight (35.0-38.0g) were randomly allocated to groups G2, G3 and G4, with four replicates of ten chicks each by using completely randomised design (CRD). Experimental ration (R1) was prepared with BIS recommended DL-methionine (0.50, 0.50 and 0.45 per cent for broiler pre-starter, starter and finisher respectively). The experimental ration (R2) was prepared with 110 per cent of BIS (2007) recommended methionine (0.55, 0.55 and 0.50 per cent for broiler pre-starter, starter and finisher respectively). The experimental ration (R3) was prepared with 120 per cent of BIS (2007) recommended methionine (0.60, 0.60 and 0.54 per cent for broiler pre- starter, starter and finisher respectively). The groups G1 and G2 were fed with ration R1. The groups G3 and G4 were fed with rations R2 and R3 respectively, for a period of 42 days. The four birds form each group was sacrificed for study of carcass yield, breast yield along with gene expression studies. Dietary supplementation of DLMethionine had no significant effect on cumulative feed intake, body weight gain and FCR at the end of experiment but G3 showed better performance when compared with other groups. Over all five per cent mortality was observed. There was better carcass yield and breast yield in G3 when compared with other groups, without any significance difference among groups. The myogenic family mstn gene expression was downregulated in G2 group and upregulated in G3 and G4, but there was no significant difference between G1 and G2, whereas G3 and G4 showed significantly upregulation in gene expression study when compared with G1 group. myf5 gene was upregulated in G1 and G2 but downregulated in G3 and G4 but there was no significant difference among groups. The mef2b gene was upregulated in all groups but there was no significant difference between the gene expression among groups. The profit per kg live weight was highest for G3 than the other groups.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF UNCONVENTIONAL FEED BASED COMPLETE RATIONS FOR CROSSBRED DAIRY COWS IN EARLY LACTATION(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES, POOKODE WAYANAD, 2018) RASEEL K; Biju ChackoA study was conducted for the comparative evaluation of conventional and unconventional feed based complete rations in dairy cows on the basis of production performance and economics. Four unconventional feed ingredients which are rich sources of energy, viz. pineapple waste, cashew apple waste, banana stem waste and jackfruit waste were tested in vitro to estimate ME, DOM, IVDN and CP and were ranked on the basis of a four point ranking system. The feed having the highest aggregate score was selected as the best feed, which was further tested in vivo. Pineapple waste was selected for in vivo study on the basis of total scores obtained. Two isonitrogenous and isocaloric complete rations, T1 with conventional feed ingredients and T2 by replacing 1/3rd of maize with pineapple waste, respectively, were formulated as per ICAR (2013). Twelve dairy cows yielding approximately 10 litres of milk per day and within ten days of lactation were selected, divided into two groups of six each and allotted randomly to two experimental rations in a feeding trial of 90 days duration. On perusal of data, it could be found that the body weight and dry matter intake of cows fed on the two experimental rations, T1 and T2 started increasing from the first fortnight onwards and was similar between treatments (P<0.05) in all the fortnights. The milk yield of cows fed on the two experimental rations started increasing from the first fortnight onwards and peak milk yield was attained in the sixth fortnight, in both the groups. The average daily milk yield of cows fed on ration T2 (12.94 kg) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than those fed on T1 (11.94 kg). The milk composition parameters such as milk fat, total solids, SNF, MUN and milk protein were similar (P>0.05) between treatments. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in various haematological parameters such as haemoglobin, glucose and BUN; plasma protein parameters such as total protein, globulin, albumin and albumin: globulin ratio and mineral parameters like calcium and phosphorus between the two treatment groups. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the digestibility coefficients of nutrients, purine derivatives excretion in urine, microbial protein synthesis and rumen fermentation parameters such as rumen pH, TVFA and rumen ammonia nitrogen. The ME and DOM values were similar (P>0.05) among the two dietary treatments. The average cost per kg milk production was Rs.36.82 and 34.22, respectively for T1 and T2, during the experimental period. These results suggest that both complete rations performed well. Among T1 and T2 which were more or less comparable, T2 was the slightly better ration as evinced by the significantly higher average daily milk yield and the lower cost per kg milk production (Rs. 2.60 less). These findings indicate that pineapple waste can be used to provide one third of the energy, as a substitute for the costly ingredient maize and can be successfully incorporated in paddy straw based complete ration containing 35 per cent NDF for lactating dairy cows. Such a complete feed shall contribute a great deal in helping the farmers to rear cows in towns and cities, where the demand for milk is huge, but the availability of feed and fodder is practically nil.
