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ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF GRAMASREE HENS BY FEEDING BLACK SOLDIER FLY (Hermetia illucens) LARVAE AS A PROTEIN REPLACER(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, 2022-03-08) AVINASH NILUGONDA; Dr. S. SankaralingamAn experiment was conducted in the Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy to evaluate production performance of Gramasree hens by feeding black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae as protein replacer. A total of 80 numbers of forty weeks old Gramasree pullets were distributed into five treatments each with four replicates in completely randomized design and experiment was carried for eight weeks from 41 to 48 weeks of age with standard management practices. The control group (T1) was fed with 100 per cent standard layer diet as per the BIS 2007 and other treatments groups were fed with fresh BSFL at 25 (T2), 50 (T3), 75 (T4) and 100(T5) per cent levels on dry matter basis as Soybean meal replacer after analysing chemical composition of BSFL. The remaining feed was provided separately as balancer diet. During experimental period, daily egg production, fortnightly feed consumption, fortnightly feed conversion ratio, egg weight, egg quality traits at 28 and 56 weeks of age, initial and pre-slaughter body weight, body weight gain,carcass characteristics, serum biochemical parameters, digestibility parameters and techno-economics were studied.Overall results of present study showed no significant difference in henhoused egg production per bird and percentage. Feed consumption was significantly (p<0.05) higher in control and reducing as BSFL inclusion level increased in the diet. There was no significant difference in FCR among the treatment groups. Egg quality parameters like egg weight, shape index, shell thickness, albumen index, yolk index and Haugh unit were showing no significant difference at 44 and 48 weeks of age. Carcass parameters studied at 48 weeks of age showed no significant difference in mean pre-slaughter weight, dressing percentage and eviscerated percentage of birds among all treatments, The abdominal fat percentage was significantly (p<0.05) lower in BSFL fed T2, T3, T4 and T5 treatment groups compared to control. The mean breast yield was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T1 followed by T2 and T3 and the same was lower in T4 and T5. Mean thigh yield was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T3 compared to T1 and T5 and the values for T2 and T4 were intermediate. Drumstick yield was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T1 followed by T2 group, followed by T5 and T4 and the same was lowest in T3. The mean wing yield was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T1 compared to T3 and T5 and the value was in between in T2 and T4. The heart, liver and yield had no significant difference among the dietary treatment groups. The blood serum biochemical parameters like total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, cholesterol, triglycerides and calcium were having no significant difference among dietary treatment groups in Gramasree hens at 48 weeks of age. The digestibility co-efficient of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, total ash, NFE, calcium and phosphorus had no significant difference among the treatment groups. The mean ether extract digestibility co-efficient was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T5, T4, T3 compared to T1 and the value of T2 was intermediate. The feed cost and expenditure per bird was significantly (p<0.05) lower in T5 followed by T4, T3 and T2. The same was significantly (p<0.05) higher in control. Total income per bird showed no significant difference among the treatments as there was no significant difference in egg production. The mean profit per bird was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T5 followed by T4 and T3 and the same was lowest in T1 and also the value of T2 was intermediate to T3 and T1. The mean profit per egg was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T5 followed by T4 and T3 and lower in T2 and T1. Based on the overall performance, it is concluded that the Gramasree hens can be fed with BSFL up to 100 per cent replacement to soya bean meal withoutaffecting egg production and also with reduction in feed consumption and better FCR. Feeding BSFL reduces the feed cost and increases the net profit per bird. So, BSFL is the best alternative source protein for backyard poultry rearing.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF CHITOSAN AND L-CARNITINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS FAT DEPOSITION IN BROILER CHICKEN(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, 2022-02-25) SHAJINI S.; Dr. Beena C. JosephAn experiment was conducted in Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy to study the effect of chitosan and Lcarnitine supplementation on growth performance and carcass fat deposition in broiler chicken. A total of 150, day-old Vencobb 430Y broiler chicks were randomly allotted into three dietary treatment groups viz., T1, T2 and T3 with five replicates of ten birds each in a completely randomized design. The birds in T1 (control) group were fed with corn-soybean meal based standard broiler ration (SBR) formulated as per BIS (2007), T2 group was fed SBR supplemented with chitosan at the rate of 30g/kg feed and T3 group was fed SBR supplemented with L-carnitine at the rate of0.05 g/kg feed. The chitosan and L-carnitine supplementation (T2 and T3) did not show significant effect on mean body weight and weight gain of broilers at weekly intervals in this study. The chitosan and L-carnitine supplemented groups (T2 and T3) had significantly (p<0.05) lower feed consumption and better feed conversion ratio (FCR) than control group (T1) during the first week of the experimental period. However, during the subsequent period dietary treatments did not produce any effect on feed consumption as well as FCR of broiler chicken. The dietary treatments did not have significant effect on carcass characteristic traits studied except on percentage abdominal fat pad of broiler chicken. The mean abdominal fat pad yield of broilers in chitosan supplemented group (T2) was significantly (p<0.01) lower than L-carnitine supplemented group (T3) and both were statistically lower than control group. The mean heart yield of broilers showed a significantly (p<0.05) lower value in chitosan supplemented group (T2) as compared with other treatment groups. The chitosan supplementation (T2) significantly (p<0.01) reduced the mean cholesterol content of breast meat as compared with other treatment groups. But, L-carnitine supplementation (T3) did not produce any significant effect on the mean cholesterol content of breast meat. The chitosan (T2) and L-carnitine (T3) supplementation significantly (p<0.01) reduced the mean cholesterol content of thigh meat of broilers as compared with control group. The chitosan (T2) and L-carnitine (T3) supplementation significantly (p<0.05) reduced the mean triglyceride content of breast and thigh meat of broiler as compared with control group. The chitosan and L-carnitine supplemented groups (T2 and T3) significantly (p<0.01) reduced the plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride and VLDL values in broiler chicken as compared with control group. The plasma HDL value was significantly (p<0.05) reduced in chitosan supplemented group (T2) while the LDL value was significantly (p<0.05) lower in L-carnitine supplemented group (T3). Even though, there was a significant reduction in HDL value in the chitosan supplemented group, no adverse effect on general health is expected since the value remain in a normal range. The livability (per cent) of broilers during the experimental period was 96.00 in control group (T1) as well as chitosan supplemented group (T2) and 94.00 in L-carnitine supplemented group (T3). Total cost of production per bird at six weeks of age was 204.36, 317.05 and 202.29 and the net profit per kg body weight was Rs.62.00, 14.22 and 63.02 for the control group (T1), chitosan supplemented group (T2) and L-carnitine supplemented group (T3), respectively. Based on the overall results of this study, it could be concluded that dietary supplementation of chitosan at the rate of 30 g/kg and L-carnitine at the rate of 0.05 g/kg significantly (p<0.01) reduced the abdominal fat pad deposition in broiler chicken without any adverse effects on growth performance as well as carcass characteristics. It was also evident from the experimental findings that the dietary supplementation of chitosan and L-carnitine lowered the cholesterol and triglyceride content of breast and thigh meat of broilers and thereby proved to be beneficial in producing lean meat. Along with this, there was a significant (p<0.01) reduction in the plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL values in both chitosan as well as L-carnitine supplemented groups. Therefore, the findings of the present study revealed that supplementation of chitosan and L-carnitine is beneficial for producing lean broiler meat. According to the results obtained, chitosan supplementation effectively reduced the abdominal fat pad yield and cholesterol content of meat as compared with L-carnitine. However, L-carnitine supplementation is economically more efficient, since it is having potent hypolipidaemic effect in a lower level of inclusion as compared with chitosan.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF FEEDING BLACK SOLDIER FLY (Hermetia illucens) LARVAE MEAL ON PERFORMANCE OF MEAT TYPE DUCKS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, 2022-02-25) SAMIR NAGIB HABIB HAKIM; Dr. S. SankaralingamAn experiment was conducted at the Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala to study the effect of feeding black soldier fly (Hermitia illucens) larvae meal on meat type duck performance and carcass characteristics from zero to eight weeks of age.Ninety-six, day-old ducklings were randomly allotted into four dietary treatments with four replicates having six ducklings each in a completely randomized design. The different dietary treatments in this study were T1 - Control group formulated as per IS 1374 (2007) specifications, T2 - with 5 per cent black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) inclusion, T3 - with 10 per cent BSFLM inclusion and T4 - with 15 per cent BSFLM inclusion.The results of the study showed that the final body weight, cumulative body weight gain and cumulative feed intake of birds remained significantly unaffected by the different dietary inclusion levels of BSFLM, while the cumulative feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better in 10 per cent BSFLM group (T3) than all other treatment groups in most periods of experiments.There was no adverse effect for BSFLM inclusion on livability, nutrients digestibility and blood serum parameters except serum triglycerides which wassignificantly (p<0.05) lower in BSFLM fed groups compared to control. The total feed cost per bird at six and eight weeks of age was lowest for 15 per cent BSFLM group (T4) followed by 10 per cent (T3) and 5 per cent (T2) BSFLM groups and the same was highest in control group (T1). The profit per bird as well as per kg live weight was highest in T4 followed by T3 and T2 and the same was lowest in control group (T1). The carcass characteristics study at six weeks showed that dressed yield and ready to cook yield were significantly (p<0.05) higher in BSFLM fed groups than control group. The carcass characteristics study conducted at eight weeks of age revealed that dressed yield was significantly (p<0.05) higher in 15 per cent BSFLM fed group (T4) than control group while 5 and 10 per cent BSFLM groups (T2 and T3) showed intermediate values.Based on the overall results of this study, it could be concluded that, the dietary inclusion of BSFL meal in meat type duck ration up to 15 per cent was profitable and did not negatively affect the body weight gain and feed intake. It is better to rear commercial meat type ducks up to six weeks of age than up to eight weeks of age. However, further researches in meat type ducks are required to determine the highest level of BSFLM inclusion in duck ration without any adverse effect on production performance.ThesisItem Open Access POLYMORPHISM OF INTRON 2 OF GROWTH HORMONE GENE AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH GROWTH AND CARCASS TRAITS IN KUTTANAD AND WHITE PEKIN DUCKS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, 2022-02-10) NIMMI P; Dr. Stella CyriacA study was conducted at Avian Research Station, Thiruvazhamkunnu, Palakkad to compare the growth and carcass traits of unselected flock of Kuttanad ducks (UKD), improved meat line of Kuttanad ducks (IKD) and White Pekin ducks (WPD) and to study the association of polymorphism of intron 2 of Growth Hormone gene with economic traits. One hundred and twenty five day-old ducklings from each group were selected, wing banded and were reared in uniform management condition. Ad-libitum feed and water were provided and ducks were reared up to 10 weeks of age. Fortnightly body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, livability were calculated. Carcass traits like slaughter weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage (with and without giblets), yield of feathers, giblets and cut-up parts were studied at 6, 8 and 10 weeks in eight birds of each group. Blood samples of 50 birds from each group were collected and DNA was isolated. Isolated DNAs were utilised for PCR-RFLP to find out the polymorphism in intron 2 of GH gene. WPD showed significantly (p<0.05) higher body weight at all fortnights whereas body weight of two groups of Kuttanad ducks were significantly (p<0.05) similar. Body weight gain were significantly (p<0.05) high for WPD at all fortnights except during first fortnight where IKD registered significantly (p<0.05) higher body weight gain. The period of active weight gain was during seven to eight weeks in all the three groups of ducks. WPD showed lower FCR in all fortnights followed by IKD. Cumulative FCR of 4.17 and 4.68 were shown by WPD and IKD, respectively for 10 weeks of age. The fortnightly livability of ducks of all the three groups were satisfactory. It was found that slaughter weight and carcass weight were significantly (p<0.05) higher in WPD at 8 and 10 weeks of age. Dressing percentage (with and without giblets) of UKD and IKD were significantly (p<0.05) higher at eight weeks whereas WPD showed significantly (p<0.05) higher percentage at 10 weeks of age. The appearance score after defeathering showed progress in accordance with the age. The yield of back, thigh and drumstick progressively reduced as age progressed from 6 to 10 weeks in UKD, IKD and WPD, whereas that of breast increased and the yield of wings and neck was more or lesssimilar throughout the ages. The PCR- RFLP technique and sequencing methods were employed to identify the genotypes in three duck population viz. UKD, IKD and WPD. Three genotypes GH/TT, GH/CT and GH/CC and two alleles T and C were identified in all the three groups of ducks by banding patterns. Even though the genotypes and allele frequencies did not differ significantly between the three groups of ducks, the frequent genotype observed in IKD and WPD was GH/TT whereas that in UKD was GH/CT. Reported primers were used to find polymorphism in intron 2 and Cytosine/Thymine polymorphism at 170th position could be identified. Association of polymorphism of intron 2 of GH gene with body weight and carcass traits were analysed in this study, but no significant difference was observed between the genotypes and the economic traits (body weight and carcass traits). However the yield of different traits were numerically higher for genotypes GH/TT and GH/CT. From the results, it could be concluded that the meatproduction potential of Kuttanad ducks could be improved through the selection and breeding for over 4 generations. Identification of polymorphism in intron 2 of GH gene and its association with growth and carcass traits revealed that it can be used as a molecular marker in the selection of ducks at younger ages. However, further research is essential to confirm and extend these findings.ThesisItem Open Access EFFICACY OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION OF KAEMPFERIA GALANGA ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKEN AND ASSESSMENT OF ITS ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AGAINST NON-TYPHOIDAL SALMONELLA SPP.(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCS, POOKODE, WAYANAD, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, 2022-12-29) RAGHAVENDRA; Dr. Aswathi P.B.The present study was conducted to analyse the efficacy of dietary supplementation of Kaempferia galanga on the growth performance of broiler chicken and to assess its antimicrobial activity against multi-drug-resistant, non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. (MDR-NTS). Initially, the cloacal swabs (n = 31) collected from different broiler farms in the Wayanad district were subjected to isolation and identification of NTS strains and confirmation by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 24 Salmonella spp. isolates were recovered by isolation and identification, whereas the PCR assay confirmed two isolates positive for S. Typhimurium and 18 for S. Enteritidis. Surprisingly, 10 isolates were resistant to six classes of antibiotics in the antimicrobial susceptibility testing and 18 isolates were confirmed to be MDR-NTS. The in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration of K. galanga on the selected MDR- S. Typhimurium isolates was determined using the micro broth dilution technique which was found to be 25 mg/mL. The LD50 dose of MDR- S. Typhimurium strains determined in Vencobb 430Y chicks was found to be 1 × 109 CFU/mL. The chicks were grouped into six treatments each with three replicates having 10 birds (T1 to T6). The birds were fed iso-caloric, and iso-protein diets observing BIS 2007 specification in which the level of shade-dried K. galanga was fixed at 2.50 per cent for T2 and T5, five per cent for T3 and T6, and only basal diet was fed to T1 and T4. The Salmonella-free tested birds were administered with 0.50 mL of selected MDR – S. Typhimurium culture orally (T4, T5, and T6 groups) on the seventh day of age. The body weight, feed conversion ratio, faecal matter consistency, survival rate, mortality due to Salmonella, and bacterial counts were monitored at weekly intervals, while the pre-slaughter live weight, dressing percentage, immune organ percentage, haemato-biochemical parameters and sensory attributes of meat were analysed on the forty-second day. Higher body weight (P<0.01) was observed in treatments fed with five per cent K. galanga (T3) followed by 2.50 per cent K. galanga (T2) in comparison to T1 throughout the study. A similar trend was observed in Salmonella challenged group, whereas higher body weight was observed in T6 followed by T5 (P<0.05). From the fourth week onwards, a significant change in the FCR of the T1, T2, and T3 groups was observed (P<0.05), whereas T3 (1.69 ± 0.07) exhibited better FCR followed by T2 (1.82 ± 0.07) and among Salmonella challenged treatments, a significantly better (P<0.05) FCR was shown by T6 (1.96 ± 0.13). Moreover, the caecal and liver counts of Salmonella tested negative on the fourth week of post-infection among the challenged groups (T5 and T6); however, T4 remained positive until the forty-second day. On analysis of faecal matter consistency, from the third week onwards, a significantly higher score was shown by T4 in comparison to T5 and T6 (P<0.05), and within the same group, the scores were increasing weekly in T4 (P<0.05). Furthermore, a higher pre-slaughter live weight, carcass weight, and dressing percentage were noted in T3 (2284.67 ± 6.96, 1649.00 ± 3.00, 72.18 ± 0.14) in comparison to T1 and T2 (P<0.01); similar results were observed in T6 (2125.33 ± 4.81, 1522.67 ± 12.02, 71.64 ± 0.50) among the challenged group. The survival rate was higher (P<0.01) in T2, T3 (without challenge group), and T5, T6 (with challenge). The mortality due to Salmonella spp. was observed in the T4 group only. In conclusion, feeding the birds with K. galanga at five and 2.50 per cent was found to result in higher body weight, better FCR, higher carcass weight, higher dressing percentage, better immunity and better survival rate, which could be further employed as a growth promoter.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF ATHULYA (IWN X IWP), NATIVE AND IWN X NATIVE CROSSBRED LAYERS UNDER BACKYARD SYSTEM(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, 2021-11-30) DEVAVRATHA S.; Binoj ChackoAn experiment was conducted to evaluate the production performance of Athulya, native and IWN x native crossbred layers under backyard system. The IWN and IWP strains used for producing Athulya in the present study belonged to S31 generation and the native bird evaluated belonged to S4 generation of the native chicken which were maintained at AICRP on Poultry for Eggs, Mannuthy. The IWN x native crossbreds were produced by crossing IWN strain of White Leghorn belonging to S 31 generation and native birds belonging to S 4 generation. One hundred, day old female chicks of each group were reared up to 14 weeks of age under deep litter system at AICRP on Poultry for Eggs, Mannuthy before distributing to households. Thirty households from Subash nagar and Kozhukully area of Thrissur district were selected for the study. At 14 weeks of age, 50 birds from each group were randomly selected and allotted to 10 households as a set of five to each. Thus total 150 birds were distributed among 30 households.The production performances of the birds were evaluated from 15 to 40 weeks of age. The body weight was found to be significantly higher (p<0.01) for Athulya than other two groups at all ages. The IWN x native crossbreds laid first egg earlier followed by Athulya and native birds. The overall egg production was similar among the three groups. The egg weight was significantly (p<0.01) higher for Athulya at 28 and 40 weeks of age and was higher for IWN x native birds than native birds at 28 weeks of age. The haugh unit and yolk colour score was significantly lower for IWN x native birds than Athulya and native birds. The shell thickness was statistically similar among the three groups. The egg shell colour was white in Athulya, tinted to brown in native and tinted in crossbreds. The haemoglobin values at 40 weeks of age were normal in all the three groups but the volume of packed red cell differed significantly between the groups. The heterophil to lymphocyte ratio was significantly (p<0.01) higher for IWN x native crossbreds. The monounsaturated fatty acid content was more in IWN x native eggs and the polyunsaturated fatty acid content was more in native eggs yolk at 36 weeks of age. At 28 weeks of age, the plumage colour observed was white in Athulya, black in native and white with black spots in crossbreds. There was no significant difference in overall livability per cent and the major cause of mortality was predation in Athulya and IWN x native birds. Eighty per cent households provided night shelter made of wood and ninety per cent provided nest box facility. The birds were fed with feed ingredients available in the households. The study revealed that the performance of native birds in respect to different traits makes them a suitable bird for backyard poultry rearing compared to Athulya and crossbredsThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF REDUCED DIETARY CRUDE PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTED WITH LIMITING AMINO ACIDS ON GROWTH AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF GRAMASREE MALE CHICKS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, 2021-12-30) SREYASS K. S.; Beena C JosephAn experiment was conducted at the Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala to study the effect of reduced dietary crude protein supplemented with limiting amino acids viz. methionine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan on growth and carcass characteristics of Gramasree male chicks from day-old to eight weeks of age. Two hundred and eighty, day-old chicks were randomly allotted into five dietary treatments with four replicates having 14 chicks each in a completely randomized design. The different dietary treatments in this study include a control diet (T1) formulated as per ICAR (2013) nutrient requirements for Indian improved native breeds and their crosses with 21 per cent CP and 2800 kcal ME/kg using corn, soya bean meal, wheat bran and de-oiled rice bran. The other treatment diets T2, T3, T4 and T5 were prepared by reducing the CP content to 20, 19, 18, and 17 per cent, respectively with 2800 kcal ME/kg and supplementation of synthetic amino acids to meet the requirements of first four limiting amino acids viz. methionine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan at 0.46, 1.10, 0.70 and 0.20 per cent levels, respectively. The results showed that, up to eight weeks of age, reducing the dietary CP level up to 17 per cent with limiting amino acid supplementation did not affect the growth performance of birds. The mean cumulative body weight, cumulative weight gain, cumulative feed consumption and cumulative FCR of all the five treatments were statistically comparable. Carcass traits like breast meat yield, giblet weight, dressing percentage and ready to cook yield were also not affected by different dietary treatments. However, the mean abdominal fat content in 17 and 18 per cent CP treatments were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the other treatment groups. Livability was 100 per cent in treatments with 20 and 19 per cent CP (T2 and T3, respectively) and 98.21 per cent in treatments with 18 and 17 per cent CP (T4 and T5, respectively). There was no significant effect of lowering dietary CP levels and limiting amino acid supplementation on dry matter digestibility, crude fibre digestibility and ether extract digestibility of the birds maintained in any treatment. The crude protein digestibility and nitrogen retention per cent in birds increased significantly (p<0.01) with reduction in CP level, showing highest crude protein digestibility and nitrogen retention in treatment with highest CP reduction (T5). Nitrogen retention was improved by 10.85 per cent in birds fed with 17 per cent CP diet compared to the control. The total feed cost per bird as well as feed cost per kg live weight of bird was lowest in treatment with 17 per cent CP, which saved Rs. 1.64 for every kilogram of feed formulated. Based on the overall results of this study, it could be concluded that, the dietary crude protein level of Gramasree male chicks can be reduced up to 17 per cent with limiting amino acids supplementation to reduce the feed cost without affecting the growth performance of birds for rearing up to eight weeks of age. Also, the use of limiting amino acid supplementation to low CP diets was also effective in reducing nitrogen excretion in birds thus to prevent environmental pollution. Further research in Gramasree male chicks is needed to determine the level up to which CP can be reduced using synthetic amino acids without altering their performance.ThesisItem Open Access STANDARDISATION OF FINISHER RATION FOR GRAMASREE COCKERELS FOR MEAT PURPOSE(Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences Mannuthy, Thrissur, 2019-09-30) SHINDE VAIBHAV JYOTIRAM; P. AnithaAn experiment was carried out to standardise the finisher ration for Gramasree cockerels for meat purpose. Three hundred and thirty-six, Gramasree male birds of six weeks age were procured from University Poultry and Duck Farm, Mannuthy and allotted to six dietary treatments having four replicates of 14 birds each and the experiment was conducted from seven to fourteen weeks of age.The six dietary treatment comprised of two levels of metabolizable energy and three levels of crude protein in a factorial design. The dietary treatment T1, T2 and T3 were 20:3000, 19:3000 and 18:3000, respectively and T4, T5 and T6 were 20:3200, 19:3200 and 18:3200, respectively. The growth parameters were studied from seven to fourteen weeks of age and slaughter studies were carried out at the end of 10 th , 12 th and 14 th weeks of age using two birds from each replicate.The results revealed that the mean body weight at fortnightly intervals was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T1 and T2 group at 14 weeks of age. The difference in mean cumulative body weight gain was not significant at different periods among the treatments. The effect of energy on cumulative body weight gain was significant at seven to ten and seven to twelve weeks period but effect of protein and their interaction did not influence the cumulative body weight gain.The mean cumulative feed consumption of birds was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T3 group during seven to ten weeks period while it was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T1, T2 and T3 group during seven to twelve weeks period. The individual effect of energy showed significantly (p<0.05) higher feed consumption in birds fed with diet containing 3000 kcal/kg ME compared to 3200 kcal/kg ME at seven to twelve and seven to fourteen weeks period. The effect of protein on cumulative feed consumption showed that it was significantly (p<0.05) higher in 18 per cent CP group than 20 per cent CP group. The effect of energy and protein on mean cumulative FCR was significant (p<0.05), but not their interactions. The effect of energy, protein and their interaction on eviscerated yield and ready-to- cook yields was significant at 10, 12 and 14 weeks of age. Effect of energy on abdominal fat per cent was significant at 12 and 14 weeks of age, but the effect of protein and interaction was not significant.The mean cumulative livability from seven to fourteen weeks ranged from 98.93 to 100 per cent among treatment groups. With respect to economics of cockerel rearing up to 10, 12 and 14 weeks period, the highest net profit per kilogram live weight was obtained with T1 (20% CP with 3000 kcal/kg ME) and T2 (19% CP with 3000 kcal/kg ME) groups compared to other treatments groups. Among the three periods cockerel rearing was found to be more profitable up to 10 weeks of age, thereafter profit was reduced due to the decline in body weight gain and poor FCR. Based on the overall performance of cockerels and the findings on the economical parameters assessed, it could be concluded that finisher diet with 19 per cent CP and 3000 kcal/kg ME is found to be optimum for Gramasree cockerel rearing for meat purpose. This study also reveals that the age of introduction of finisher ration may be fixed at eight weeks instead of six weeks for rearing Gramasree cockerels for meat purpose. If consumer preference is for birds with higher body weight at slaughter, then rearing of Gramasree cockerels can be extended further.ThesisItem Open Access EFFICACY OF CITRIC ACID, NON STARCH POLYSACCHARIDE DEGRADING ENZYMES AND THEIR COMBINATION AS ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTIC GROWTH PROMOTER IN BROILER DIET(College of Veterinary and animal Science,Mannuthy, 2019) HARSHA Y.S.; P. AnithaAn experiment was conducted in Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy to study efficacy of citric acid, non starch polysaccharide degrading enzymes (NSPDE) and their combination as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoter in broiler diet from zero to six weeks of age. One hundred and sixty, day-old chicks were randomly divided into five dietary treatment groups viz., T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 each with four replicates having eight chicks, in a completely randomized design. The birds in T1 (control) group was fed with standard broiler ration (SBR) formulated as per BIS (2007). Standard broiler ration supplemented with 10 per cent oxytetracycline (0.5 g/kg) was fed to birds in T2, SBR supplemented with citric acid (10 g/kg) in T3, SBR supplemented with NSPDE (0.1 g/kg) in T4 and SBR supplemented with combination of citric acid and NSPDE for birds in T5. The results of the study showed that the mean body weight of birds at weekly intervals and the cumulative body weight (0-6 weeks) was not significantly different between treatments. Mean daily feed consumption of birds (0-6 weeks) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in antibiotic group (T2) and other treatment groups was statistically comparable with control group. Overall, mean feed conversion ratio from zero to six weeks was not significantly affected by dietary treatments. The data on slaughter studies of birds did not show any significant difference among the five dietary treatments. The significantly (p<0.01) less Escherichia coli count and coliform count in intestinal content of broilers was found in all treatment groups compared to control group. The mean Enterococcus faecalis count was significantly (p<0.01) lower in antibiotic (T2), citric acid (T3) and enzyme group (T4) than control (T1) and citric acid plus enzyme (T5) group. The birds in T5 had significantly (p<0.01) higher ileal villi height followed by those in T4, T1 and T3 and significantly lower villi height was obtained in the T2 treatment group. The mean crypt width of ileum in T2, T3 and T4 were having significantly (p<0.05) higher value than the combination and control groups. Goblet cell count was lower in all growth promoter supplemented groups compared to control. The mean pH value of small intestinal content of broiler was significantly (p<0.01) lower in growth promoter supplemented groups compared to control group. The cumulative per cent livability of T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 was 93.75, 96.88, 100, 100 and 90.63, respectively. The net profit per kg body weight at six week of age was Rs. 12.36, 8.66, 14.10, 14.65 and 12.28 for the treatment groups T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. The present findings, indicated that supplementation of antibiotic, citric acid, NSP degrading enzyme and the combination of citric acid and NSP degrading enzymes did not significantly influence the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers. However, the parameters related to gut health such as ileal histomorphology, microbial count and pH of ileal content were significantly (P<0.01) better in all the growth promoter supplemented groups than control. Highest net profit per kg body weight was obtained in NSP degrading enzyme supplemented group. Based on the overall results of this study, it can be concluded that NSP degrading enzymes (xylanase + glucanase) at 0.1 g/kg can be effectively used as growth promoter for broiler diets with complete elimination of antibiotic usage in feed.
