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2021 - 20233
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Subject: Livestock Production and Management × End date: 2023 × Start date: 2020 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    SOCIAL AND FEEDING BEHAVIOUR IN FREE-RANGING AND CAPTIVE POPULATIONS OF LION-TAILED MACAQUE (Macaca silenus)
    (COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES POOKODE, WAYANAD, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, 2023-02-21) MONISHA V.; Dr. Sabin George
    Lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) habitat distribution was continuous population extends from a few kilo meters north of the Sharavati River in Karnataka to the Agasthyamalai hills at the southern tip of the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats are geologically split into two parts, separated by a 40-km-long gap near Palghat in the state of Kerala; this gap naturally divides the northern and southern populations of the lion-tailed macaque. Even within these two large ranges, the rain forest has become fragmented due to the development of commercial plantations and the construction of water reservoirs in the hills for irrigation and power generation. As a result, the lion-tailed macaque groups inhabiting these forest fragments have become small breeding populations. The social and feeding behaviour of Lion tailed macaques in free range were studied at Silent Valley National Park (11˚ 06’ N and 76˚ 42’E) and captive lion tailed macaques at Thiruvanathapuram Zoological Garden captivity during 2019-2021. The mapping of lion tailed macaques distribution, habitat identification, vegetation sampling in the Silent Valley national park using transect based quadrate sampling method by using binoculars, GPS and maps during the field visit. During the field work, all the behavioural activities were video recorded in the free range and at captivity. During the field survey six troop of lion tailed macaques, 114 individuals were sighted, with mean group size of 18.6 and adult male, female ratio was ranged from 1:2.5 to 1:8. The vegetation studies revealed 112 plant species were identified and out of that 36 plant species were commonly used. Lion tailed macaques, arboreal, fruigvorous animals and diet preferences were adaptable to the season. Macaques were preferred feeding on Kuranguplavu (Cullenia exarillata) fruits and flowers during summer (10.2 per cent), south west monsoon (21.4 per cent) and north east monsoon (25.6 per cent). While compared to lion tailed macaques housed in Thiruvanathapuram zoo, six macaques were in closed cages and five macaques were housed in open enclosure with dry moat and vegetation area. The diet preferences for macaques in captivity were in the order of egg, different varieties of banana, pineapple, water melon, groundnut and grapes. Comparing the behaviour traits of wild macaques in silent valley park and at Zoos are different by their places, seasons and troop size. The activity analysis among different age group of macaques in silent valley park exhibited normal social behaviours like feeding (46.5 per cent), grooming (26.2 per cent), foraging (5.4 per cent), resting (13.4 per cent) in adult macaques during summer season. The macaques housed in Thiruvananthapuram Zoo are aged, old male and female (more than 13 years old) except three zoo born macaques. The enrichment of feeding area, sleeping sites proposals were studied and implemented. The abnormal begging behaviour, showing teeth, fighting were not observed in the macaques in captivity, however, stealing food and dominance hierarchy were evident among open enclosure macaques. The welfare measures for macaques in captivity may be considered by enriching their diet chart, based on the macaque’s activity and maintenance requirement.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    NUTRIENT RECYCLING POTENTIAL OF FLY LARVAE FOR BIOWASTE MANAGEMENT
    (COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, 2021-10-18) DEEPAK MATHEW D K; A. Kannan
    The fly larva plays a pivotal role in nutrient recycling of biowastes. This study was to find the nutrient recycling efficiency of fly larvae in biowastes, and to assess the nutrient content of fly larva and economic viability of bioconversion. The flies that colonized biowaste were identified in the pilot study. The five different biowastes viz. cow dung (BW-I), pig manure (BW-II), poultry manure (BW-III), poultry slaughter waste (BW-IV) and food waste (BW-V) were subject for the study. The climatic parameters, fly and larval activity, physicochemical parameters and proximate principles of substrate and leachate were recorded in the three different seasons viz summer (S-I), monsoon (S-II) and post monsoon (S-III). The biomass yields from the biowastes were also recorded. The results showed that primary colonizers, Chrysomya sp. were significant in poultry slaughter waste while Black soldier fly (BSF) was significantly found in food waste. During the study period, the climatic variables, temperature (oC), relative humidity (per cent) and rainfall ranged from 28 to 30oC, 75 to 84 per cent and 15 to 359 mm respectively. Significant (p< 0.05) reduction in weight (kg) was observed in BW-IV with a final weight of 1.97 kg. Significantly high temperature ( oC ) of 40.28oC was observed in middle layer of BW-V in phase-I of S-I. Significantly low pH was recorded in BW-V (3.5), and significantly high pH was observed in BV-III (7.96). Carbon dioxide emission was significantly higher in BW-V (49.9 per cent), while ammonia and hydrogen sulphide were significantly higher in BW-IV which were 100 and 347.63 ppm respectively. The highest significant larval biomass yield of 33.42 g (BSF) was from BW-V during S-I which was significant with other substrates. The crude protein (CP) of Chrysomya larva, ranged between 49 to 51 per cent while for BSF larvae it was 36 to 38 per cent. Highest significant BOD of 36.73 g/l and COD of 52.57 g/l were recorded from BW-IV. The reduction in weight of biowaste on dry matter basis was highest for BW-V in S-I (59.8 per cent) while it was below one per cent for BW-I, II and III. The highest total biomass yield of 445.16 g BSF larvae was obtained from BW-V in S-I. The BW-IV gave an yield of only 11.6 g larva during the S-I. The economic analysis revealed that production cost of one unit of CP with BSF larva was Rs. 0.30 to 0.45 which was lower than that of soyabean (Rs 1.00). This study concluded that nutrient recycling using BSF larva in food waste (BW-V) was economically viable.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT BEDDING SYSTEMS ON COMFORT AND PERFORMANCE OF CROSSBRED DAIRY COWS
    (Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University, Pookode, 2021-09-06) GEETHA. N; Balusami. C
    The present study was undertaken to evaluate the different bedding systems on comfort and performance of crossbred dairy cows. Twenty four crossbred cows with six animals in each group at cattle farm was selected for the study and carried out for one lactation period spread over three different seasons such as summer months (Feb-May), monsoon months (June-Sep) and post monsoon months (Oct Jan). The control group (T1) was maintained in concrete floor without any bedding materials. In (T2) rubber mats of 1.2 m × 1.8 m × 0.025m area were provided on concrete floor. In (T3) coir pith and (T4) Dried solid manure (DSM) on concrete floor was provided at the rate of 7.5 cm thickness as bedding. Based on the results of the study cows housed on coir pith and DSM had prolonged lying times with higher cow comfort index compared to other bedding materials. Coir pith and DSM bedded cows improved cow hygiene, BCS and body weight gain with profound increase in milk production and composition. Coir pith and DSM bedding provided cooler surface which led to efficient heat dissipation from cow’s body. Milk cortisol level was lower in cows on coir pith and DSM groups due to adequate lying times which reduced stress. Frequent replace of bedding lowered APC, CC and TYMC with normal SCC and physiological parameters. Coir pith and DSM bedding reduced the risk of lameness and mastitis and increased the ability of the animals to express their natural behaviour. The nutrient value of coir pith and DSM after the use as bedding materials were enhanced, which could be used as an excellent organic manure for organic cultivation. Use of coir pith as barn bedding material is an important management practice for improving milk production, hygiene and health of cows. This also reduced stress level, incidence of disease and improves the comfort and overall welfare of dairy cows. Thus, coir pith and dried solid manure as bedding materials could be recommended to the dairy farmers compared to rubber mats and concrete floor bedding for improving cow comfort and improved milk production.