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ThesisItem Open Access TRANSCRIPTOME ANALYSIS OF PECTORAL MUSCLE AMONG PEKIN AND KUTTANAD DUCKS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, 2023-03-23) S. SANKARALINGAM; Dr. P. AnithaThe study on “Transcriptome analysis of pectoral muscle among Pekin and Kuttanad ducks” was carried out at Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy. The experimental birds of male Pekin, Kuttanad control and Kuttanad meat line ducks were reared up to eight weeks of ageand their production parameters, carcass characteristics, physicochemical attributes and compositional characters of meat were also measured from random samples of each replicate at four and eight weeks of age to find the differences among the three types of ducks. Along with that, all the above parameters of heavy- and low-weighing birds of each replicate were also measured in all three groups of ducks to correlate them with the data derived from transcriptome analysis of pectoral muscle of heavy- and low-weighing birds.The study on production parameters among Pekin duck, Kuttanad control population and Kuttanad meat line concludes that the Kuttanad selected line for meat had significant (p<0.05) improvement in body weight from the day-old to eight weeks of age compared to that of Kuttanad control population as a result of four generations of individual selection for eighth week body weight. The mean body weight gain of Kuttanad meat line was not significant compared to that of Kuttanad control population up to four weeks of age and it was significantly (p<0.05) higher at 5-6 weeks period which made the overall body weight gain up to eight weeks significant. During this period, the enrichment of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for growth process was higher (3%) in GO analysis of transcriptome data between heavy- and lowweighing birds of Kuttanad meat line while that of Kuttanad control population and Pekin duck were zero. The potential markers for enrichment of growth process in Kuttanad meat line were adrenoceptor alpha 2A (ADRA2A), dendrocyte expressed seven transmembrane protein (DCSTAMP), ventricular zone expressed PH domain containing 1 (VEPH1), dual oxidase 2 (DUOX2), maelstrom spermatogenic transposon silencer (MAEL), R-spondin 2 (RSPO2), acleraxis bHLH transcription factor (SCX), matrilin 1 (MATN1), forkhead box C1 (FOXC1), fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8) and growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF5) along with the nonsynonymous missense variant of SCX gene c.82G>C. The feed intake of Kuttanad meat line was significantly (p<0.5) more than that of Kuttanad control population after four weeks of age, this was due to the significant (p<0.05) increase in body weight gain of Kuttanad meat line after four weeks of age compared to Kuttanad control population. Even though there was significant (p<0.05) increase in body weight and weight gain in Kuttanad meat line compared to Kuttanad control population, the FCR was similar in both groups and less than that of Pekin duck. The FCR may improve in Kuttanad meat line, if the selection process is continued for few more generations.The study on carcass characteristics reveals that the eviscerated yield, breast yield, deboned breast yield, wings yield, neck yield, abdominal fat yield, heart yield, liver yield and gizzard yield percentage did not have any significant difference among the three types of ducks at four and eight weeks of age. The significant (p<0.05) increase in thigh yield percentage in the Kuttanad meat line compared to that of Kuttanad control group and Pekin duck indicates that the selection for eighth week body weight in Kuttanad duck resulted in significant (p<0.05) increase of thigh muscle compared to proportionate increase of other muscles. The study on physicochemical attributes of meat indicates that the selection for eighth week body weight significantly (p<0.05) improved the myofibril fragmentation index in breast muscle of Kuttanad meat line compared to Pekin duck. This study also concludes that the significantly (p<0.05) lower muscle fibre diameter and shear force in breast muscle compared to that of thigh muscle without affecting the sarcomere length could have led the breast muscle more tender than the thigh muscle. The study on compositional characteristics of meatconcludes that the selection for eighth week body weight significantly (p<0.05) improved the collagen solubility of thigh muscle in Kuttanad meat line compared to that of Pekin duck at four weeks of age. The transcriptome analysis of pectoral muscle of heavy- and low-weighing Kuttanad ducks at four weeks of age revealed that the downregulation of KIF24 gene in low-weighing Kuttanad meat line and its’ 20 SNPs and upregulation of CA3A and cystine/glutamate transporter-like (LOC116494038) genes in heavy-weighing Kuttanad meat line along with more enrichment in catalytic activity and cellular, metabolic, cellular component organization and growth processes could have contributed to the significant (p<0.05) growth of heavy-weighing Kuttanad meat line compared to that of low-weighing duck and also they may indirectly influence theevisceration percentage, deboned breast yield percentage, wings yield percentage and liver percentage and also improve the myofibril fragmentation index in breast muscle. This concludes that the fourth week body weight may also be considered along with selection for eighth week body weight to get more genetic gain per generation of selection. The same analysis at eight weeks of age revealed downregulation of TRIM7gene in heavy-weighing birds and its’ 25 SNPs; upregulation of GATM gene in heavyweighing birds and its’ 21 SNPs; upregulation of BCAR3 gene in heavy weighing Kuttanad meat line and its’ 15 SNPs; upregulation of AKR1D1 gene in heavy-weighing birds and its’ six SNPs; downregulation of NCEH1 gene in heavy-weighing Kuttanad meat line and its’ 18 SNPs and upregulation of CA3A, FRAS1, SLC25A48, LOC101802407, ACTC1 and ENAH genes in heavy-weighing birds and also downregulation of PPARGC1A, TAGAP, FAR2, MKNK1, NT5DC1, FABP3, DGAT2, ASB18 and GK genes in heavy-weighing birds along with more DEG enrichment in catalytic activity and cellular component organization, metabolic, biological phase, growth, locomotion, multi-organism process, biological adhesion and cell population proliferation processes could have contributed to significantly (p<0.05) higher eighth week body weight of heavy-weighing Kuttanad meat line compared to that of lowweighing duck. The above potential markers may indirectly contribute to significant increase in breast, deboned breast, drumstick, abdominal fat and gizzard yield percentage and also higher myofibril fragmentation index of thigh muscle and muscle fibre diameter of breast muscle and reduction in shear force of breast and thigh muscles,which ultimately may increase the tenderness of the meat of Kuttanad meat line without affecting the compositional characters.The transcriptome analysis of pectoral muscle of heavy- and low-weighing Kuttanad control population at four weeks of age revealed significant downregulation of MYOM3 gene in low-weighing birds due to the presence of 29 SNPs and upregulation of METTL21C gene in low weighing Kuttanad duck control population due to the presence of four SNPs could have contributed to the significant (p<0.05) growth of heavy-weighing Kuttanad control population compared to that of lowweighing birds at four weeks of age with more enrichment of catalytic activity and metabolic, multicellular organismal and biological regulation processes. The above potential markers may indirectly increase in evisceration percentage, breast, deboned breast, wings, neck and heart yield percentage and also numerical increase in muscle fibre diameter of breast muscle in Kuttanad control population without affecting the compositional characteristics. At eight weeks of age no significant DEG was identified from GO analysis of transcriptome data between heavy- and low-weighing duck of Kuttanad control population.The transcriptome analysis of pectoral muscle of heavy- and low-weighing commercial Pekin ducks at four weeks of age revealed significant downregulation of CCN3 gene in low-weighing Pekin duck due to the presence of seven SNPs and also upregulation of MATN1 gene in heavy-weighing duck along with more enrichment of transporter, structural molecule and molecular transducer activities and multicellular organismal, localization, locomotion, response to stimulus, signaling and biological adhesion processes could have contributed to significantly (p<0.05) higher growth of heavy-weighing Pekin duck compared to that of low-weighing duck at four weeks of age. The above potential markers may indirectly influence the significant (p<0.05) increase in evisceration, deboned breast, wings and gizzard percentage and also myofibril fragmentation index in Pekin duck without affecting the compositional characteristics. The same analysis at eight weeks of age revealed upregulation of ATP2A2 gene in heavy-weighing Pekin duck and presence of seven SNPs; upregulation of TNNI1 gene in heavy-weighing birds and itsfour SNPs; downregulation of MYBPC1gene in low-weighing Pekin duck and its 17 SNPs and also upregulation of CA3A/CA3, NR4A3, LMOD2, TFF2, IRX2, ACTC1 and ALB genes in heavy-weighing Pekin duck along with more enrichment of binding and transcription regulator activities and multicellular organismal, growth, locomotion, multi-organism, biological adhesion, cell population proliferation and immune system processes could have contributed to the significantly (p<0.05) higher body weight in heavy-weighing Pekin duck compared to that of low-weighing Pekin duck at eight weeks of age. The above potential markers may indirectly influence the significant (p<0.05) increase in muscle fibre diameter of thigh muscle of Kuttanad duck without affecting the compositional characteristics.The present study concludes that the Kuttanad meat line evolved from Kuttanad duck breed through selection for eighth week body weight over four generations is moving in the right direction of selection with moderate response. The response to selection is only around 250g body weight gain after four generations of individual selection which is not enough to cope up with the demand for duck meat. So, it is advisable to go for genomic selection using the candidate genes identified from this study along with the individual selection to improve growth, carcass characteristics, physicochemical attributes and compositional characteristics of Kuttanad meat line. It is advisable to go for combined selection for fourth and eight week body weight to get more genetic gain. This study also concludes that the above potential markers can be used for genomic selection in Kuttanad meat line, Kuttanad control population and commercial Pekin duck, respectively after validation of SNPs.ThesisItem Open Access SELECTION FOR EGG PRODUCTION IN NATIVE CHICKEN AND PERFORMANCE OF ITS CROSSBREDS WITH WHITE LEGHORN(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, 2019-12-30) HARIKRISHNAN SA study was conducted at All India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Poultry for Eggs, Mannuthy centre, to evaluate the phenotypic and production characteristics of native chicken of Kerala and to improve its egg production through selection. From the base generation (G0) of native chicken, 775 female and 200 male native chicken (G1) were produced through a pedigreed hatch and the pullets were evaluated till 40 weeks of age for their production performance. Based on egg number 40, selection was carried out in the population using Osborne’s index and 300 dams and 50 sires were selected for producing G2 generation through a pedigreed hatch. The pullets were evaluated for their production performance till 40 weeks of age. Heritability and correlation estimates were also worked out for egg production and various correlated traits of native chicken in both G1 and G2 generations. The native chicken of Kerala had a hen housed production of 69.83 eggs, hen day egg production of 70.72 and survivor’s egg production of 70.97. Based on the selection for egg number 40 in G1 generation of native chicken, the hen day egg production (4.56 eggs) and survivor’s egg production (5.90 eggs) was significantly (p<0.05) improved but the improvement in hen housed egg production was not evident due to higher mortality occurred in G2 generation as a result of incidence of neoplastic disease of infectious origin in the flock. However, a positive phenotypic response of 2.26 eggs was obtained on hen housed basis as a result of selection for egg number 40 in G1 generation. The age at sexual maturity of native chicken was significantly (p<0.05) improved in G2 generation. Improvement was noticed in the clutch size of the birds in G2 generation while per cent broodiness was reduced as a result of selection for egg number 40. The majority of egg shell colour noticed in native chicken of Kerala was tinted followed by medium brown, white and light brown. The performance of egg quality, fertility and hatchability percentage were comparable in both generations. The sire+dam component of heritability (h²s+d ) for ASM was 0.464 in G1 generation and 0.238 in G2 generation. For the trait egg number at 40 weeks of age, the values observed were 0.364 and 0.218 in G1 and G2 generation, respectively. The realised heritability worked out was 0.19. The h²s+d estimates for egg weight in G1 and G2 generation had no much variation among generation, consequent to selection. The phenotypic correlation (rp) between body weight 16 and egg number 40 was of low magnitude while egg number and egg weights were nearing zero. The rp between ASM and egg number was negative. Genetic correlation (rg) between body weight 16 and egg number, between egg weight 28 and egg weight 40 were positive with high magnitude while ASM with egg number was strong negative. The rg between egg number and egg weights was not significant. Upon estimating genetic correlation, it was evident that correlation between most of the traits was higher in G1.The average effective selection differential for egg number 40 in the generation was 12.03 and the selection intensity was 0.45. The genetic parameters and phenotypic response for egg production and various correlated traits revealed that there is further scope for selection in native chicken of Kerala to improve its egg production. The study was also aimed at evaluating the production performances of the selected native chicken in G1 and G2 generation with improved ‘N’ strain of White Leghorn (IWN). Based on the results of crossbreds (Native x IWN), significantly (p<0.05) higher number of eggs with early sexual maturity in birds was observed for the progeny of the birds with IWN as sire and native chicken as dam (ND) than its reciprocal cross (DN). The performance of the crossbreds with respect to egg weight and egg quality traits was comparable. The feed intake was higher for ND birds compared to DN, while livability, broodiness and presence of fawn colour plumage was higher for DN birds compared to ND. Based on the study of the crossbreds, it could be observed that ND birds were better in egg production while DN birds were better in terms of livability, broodiness and plumage. However, field trials have to be conducted to confirm the present results under backyard conditions.ThesisItem Open Access DEVELOPMENT OF A MEAT LINE OF KUTTANAD DUCKS (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus)(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, 2016-12-30) STELLA CYRIAC; Leo JosephA selection experiment was conducted in Kuttanad ducks at University Poultry Farm, Mannuthy under Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University with the objective of developing a meat line. One thousand and eighty eight day-old Kuttanad ducklings procured from progressive farmers of Kerala formed the base generation (S0). Based on body weight at eighth week, top ranking 150 females and 25 males were selected through individual selection method. From the 25 sire families, 979, 969 and 1610 ducklings were produced by artificial insemination in S1, S2 and S3 generation in pedigreed hatches. Body weight, feed consumption and mortality were recorded at fortnightly intervals till 12th week of age in each generation. Genetic parameters for body weight at 8, 10 and 12 weeks were estimated using full sib correlation method. Selection differential, intensity of selection and response to selection were calculated for body weight at 8 weeks. Carcass characteristics were evaluated at 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age in four generations. The body weight at 18 and 40 weeks, feed consumption from 13 to 40 weeks, age at first egg and age at 10 and 50 per cent production, duck housed egg production and egg weight at 30 and 40 weeks were recorded in the selected parent stock of S0, S1 and S2 generations. The mean body weight at 8 weeks was 1103.38 g in the S0 generation. An improvement of 270.51 g could be recorded at 8 weeks in S3 generation. The period of active weight gain was shifted to 4th and 6th week in S3 generation whereas it was 8th week in the previous generations. The total per cent of observations above 1200 g weight increased over generations and the increase is more pronounced at 8 weeks of age. The results also indicate that a compensatory growth mechanism is present in ducks wherein the lower body weight in the early stages of growth are compensated in the subsequent weeks and they attain 90 per cent of the adult body weight by 12 weeks of age. The heritability estimates for body weight at 8 weeks of age based on sire plus dam components (h2 s+d) were 0.251, 0.313 and 0.243 in S1, S2 and S3 generations. The realised heritability was 0.60. High values were observed for phenotypic correlation between body weight at 8 and 10, 8 and 12 and 10 and 12 weeks of age. The genetic correlations were higher than the environmental correlations except in the sire component in S1 generation. The regression coefficients indicate that higher increase in body weight per generation was obtained for body weight at 8 weeks (94 g) rather than for body weight at 10 (56 g) and 12 weeks (55 g). S3 generation showed the lowest cumulative feed conversion ratio of 2.39 up to 8 weeks. The carcass characteristics of male and female Kuttanad ducks at 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age showed that there was improvement in the eviscerated yield of carcass over generations and S3 generation attained the highest yield at 8 weeks. The performance of parent stock indicated that selection had not altered their egg production performance. Artificial Insemination at 5 days interval could achieve 89 per cent fertility in the parent stock. The results of the selection experiment indicate that selection for body weight at 8 weeks was effective in improving the body weight and a line of Kuttanad ducks with meat characteristics could be developed. The higher body weight, body weight gain and the distribution of birds in the higher weight groups reveal that the S3 generation of Kuttanad ducks possess the characteristics of a meat line. The trend observed in body weight gain, frequency distribution, response to selection and correlated responses as well as the high heritability and phenotypic correlation for body weight at 8 weeks establish that the criterion for selection (8th week body weight) employed in the present study was appropriate. The carcass characteristics especially the eviscerated yield and yield of cut-up parts over generations indicate that the meat producing potential of Kuttanad ducks has improved as a result of selection. It could be concluded that Kuttanad ducks could attain its optimum meat production characteristics at 8 weeks and hence it could be considered as the ideal age for processing.ThesisItem Open Access INFLUENCE OF ENERGY LEVEL AND PARTICLE SIZE OF FEED ON PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF ATHULYA LAYER CHICKEN(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, 2015-12-30) BINOJ CHACKO; P. AnithaAn experiment was carried out in Athulya layer chicken (Single Combed White Leghorn) from 17 to 64 weeks of age to evaluate the influence of ME levels (2200, 2400 and 2600 kcal/kg) and particle size (3.0, 5.0 and 7.0 mm) of feed on production performance, nutrient utilization and economics in a 3x3 factorial design. There were nine experimental diets and each diet was fed to five replicate groups constituted 10 birds each. All experimental diets were identical in calorie protein ratio as per BIS, 1992 specifications. The hen housed and hen day egg production from 17 to 64 weeks of age were comparable among birds fed diet containing different levels of ME and particle size. Daily feed intake and FCR was significantly (p<0.000) lower in birds fed diet containing ME level of 2600 kcal/kg than in birds fed diet with lower ME levels (2400 and 2200 kcal/kg). The effect of particle size of feed was not significant for daily feed intake and FCR. The egg weight and egg shell thicknesses of birds were not influenced by either dietary ME levels or particle size from 17 to 64 weeks of age. The body weight and body weight gain at 40 and 64 weeks of age was significantly (p<0.05) higher in birds fed diet containing ME level of 2600 kcal/kg than in birds fed diet containing lower ME levels (2400 and 2200 kcal/kg). The effect of particle size of feed was not significant for body weight and body weight gain at 40 and 64 weeks of age. The livability of birds was not influenced by either dietary ME levels or particle size from 17 to 64 weeks of age. The birds fed diet containing lower ME level of 2200 and 2400 kcal/kg had significantly (p<0.05) lower dry matter, gross energy, zinc and manganese utilization than birds fed on 2600 kcal/kg diet. The crude protein, crude fat, total ash, phosphorus and copper utilization were comparable among birds fed diet containing different levels of dietary ME. The birds fed diet containing lower ME level of 2200 kcal/kg had significantly (p<0.00) lower calcium utilization than birds fed diets containing higher dietary ME levels of 2400 and 2600 kcal/kg. The calcium utilization was significantly (p<0.016) higher in birds fed feed particle sizeThesisItem Open Access CRUDE FIBRE UTILIZATION AND NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY IN INDIGENOUS LAYER DUCKS (Anas platyrhynchos)(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2006) P ANITHA; A. JalakudeenA study was conducted in the Department of Poultry College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Kerala Agricultural University to find out the effect of supplementation of a multi enzyme preparaticn 'Polyzyme' on the production performance of indigenous layer ducks.ThesisItem Open Access CRUDE FIBRE UTILIZATION AVAILABILITY IN INDIGENOUS (Anms platyrhynchos) AND NUTRIENT LAYER DUCKS(College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy., 2006) P. ANITHA; Dr. A. JalaludeenA study was conducted in the Department of Poultry Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Kerala Agricultural Univers effect of supplementation of a multi enzyme preparatic production performance of indigenous layer ducks. Diets cent CF and the high fibre diet supplemented with Polyzj from 20 to 56 weeks of age under cage system of procured from three different regions of Kerala namely Thrissur were utilized to evaluate the nutritional and foraging ducks in Kerala. Two hundred, 18 weeks old indige nous layer ducks at the rate of two ducks per cage. They were divided in tc T2, T3, T4 and T5 consisting of 40 ducks in each treatment replicates with 10 ducks in each replicate. The control grou 8 per cent CF diet. The diets with 12 per cent CF, T2, supplemented with polyzyme levels at Zero, 0.06, 0.1: respectively. All the diets contained 18 per cent CP and 2550 Science, College of ity to find out the n 'Polyzyme' on the CDntaining 8 and 12 per me were fed to ducks rearing. Foraging ducks Kuttanad, Palakkad and physiological status of ducks ducks Nutritional and physiological status of foraging collecting crop, body fat and blood samples from 10 regions namely Kuttanad, palakkad and Thrissur. The crop contents of the ducks was estimated. The crop screened for pesticide residues using Gas Chromatography total protein, lipids and cholesterol were analyzed to assc status of the foraging ducks and that under cage system of reering. were housed in cages • five groups viz., Tl, group having four ) Tl was allotted with T3, T4 and T5 were and 0.18 per cent kcal ME/kg diet. was assessed by each from three nutrifcnt availability in the contents and fat were Hemoglobin, plasma ss the physiological ii The mean body weight of indigenous layer ducks 1663.0 g at 20 weeks, 1649.75 to 1682.25 g at 40 weeks g at 52 weeks of age with significant difference (PO.01) highest groups only at 52 weeks of age. ranged from 1532.50 to slnd 1647.00 to 1799.25 between the lowest and The cumulative Duck housed egg number during was highest (141.98) in 0.06 per cent enzyme supplem lowest (108.68) in 8 per cent crude fibre diet group (Tl) 12 per cent CF dietary groups were significantly higher (PO.05). The mean percent Duck housed production was per cent enzyme diet group and lowest (43.12) in 8 per 21 to 56 weeks period. The highest weekly egg productl recorded in 0.06 per cent enzyme dietary group at 35 weeks than cent 1011 1 to 56 weeks of age ibnted group (T3) and nd the DHN in all the that of control group highest (56.34) in 0.06 CF diet group during per cent (83.29) was of age. 01 Th e overall mean egg weight for 21 to 56 weeks higher in all enzyme supplemented dietary groups than (P<0.05). The total egg mass per duck during 23 to 56 wfeeks 7.22 to 9.67 kg showing the highest egg mass in 0 supplemented group and the lowest in control group. ducc Th e overall mean daily feed consumption per period ranged from 145.33 to 163.72 g and significant contained 12 per cent CF and the mean cumulative feed 36.63 to 41.26 kg with an overall mean value of 40.16 kg. Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) per dozen eggs for was numerically better (3.41) in 0.06 per cent enzyme supplemented Physiological profile of indigenous layer d hemoglobin values ranged from 11.84 to 12.86 g/dl at 20th lucks indicated that week, 12.86 to 13.72 g/dl at 40,n week and 12.96 to 13.83 g/dl at 52nd week among the five treatment ' age was significantly that of control group was ranged from 06 per cent enzyme for 21 to 56 weeks y higher in all diets intake was ranged from 15 to 56 week period group. Ill groups. Results of the plasma biochemical analysis revealed tha: total protein values did not differ significantly either at 20, 40 or 52 weeks of age among the groups. The mean values at 20, 40 and 52 weeks of age were 4.24, 4.95 and 4.87 g/dl respectively. Plasma Cholesterol values at 20 weeks ranged from 181.83 to 207.33 mg/dl among groups. The corresponding values at 40 weeks ranged from 179.85 to 185.75 mg/dl and at 52 weeks from 162.02 to 167.1(0 mg/dl. The plasma total lipid values at 20, 40 and 52 weeks of age ranged 638.86, 683.42 to 716.30 and 785.22 to 826.35 mg/dl respectively. from 595.90 to Per cent digestibility of protein, fat and fibre fractions detergent fibre and Acid detergent fibre were numerically supplemented groups compared to other groups. rjamely Neutral r in enzyme high e The moisture content of the meat from indigenous lay|: weeks of age ranged from 73.38 to 75.96 per cent among the and foraging ducks. Crude protein value ranged from 17.03 to 2.73 to 4.82 and total ash from 2.18 to 3.88 per cent. ;r ducks at 56 experimental groups 18.81, fat from The liability was 100 per cent in experimental groups T3 per cent each in the other three groups. aid T4 and 97.5 The chemical composition of the crop contents collecte^ ducks indicated that moisture content ranged from 41.0 to 53.0 protein 10.2 to 17.5, ether extract 1.87 to 3.7, crude fibre 11.3 ash 9.5 to 17.0 per cent. The mean hemoglobin and plasma biochemical values of between 38 to 44 weeks of age were within the normal comparable with that of ducks in intensive system. co ntent Th e organochlorine residue estimated in the crop foraging ducks from three regions of Kerala namely Kuttanad lo from foraging per cent, crude 19.8 and total foraging ducks •ange and were and fat of , Palakkad and IV j Thrissur indicated that the residues detected in the sampl Maximum Residue Level of OC compounds in poultry. Th level of all organochlorine compounds in the crop content of Kuttanad, Palakkad and Thrissur were 0.0018, 0.0152 respectively. The combined residue in the fat of foraging ducks those values observed in crop contents at Kuttanad, Palakkad and were 0.0117, 0.0419 and 0.0077 ppm respectively. ss were below the combined residue braging ducks from and 0.0033 ppm were higher than and Thrissur region Based on the present study it was concluded that 12 can be included advantageously in the diet of ii Supplementation of 0.06 per cent polyzyme in 12 per cent enhance the production performance of indigenous layer duckt per cent crude fibre ndigenous layer ducks. fibre diet will help to Results from the studies on foraging ducks rev availability from foraging fields are widely variable respect of hemoglobin, plasma total protein, lipids and ducks are comparable to that under intensive system Organochlorine residues in the crop content and fat of Kuttanad, Palakkad and Thrissur are below the Maximum compounds in poultry. saled that nutrient Physiological parameters in cholesterol in foraging of management. foraging ducks from Residue Levels of the
