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ThesisItem Open Access Genetic studies on performance traits in Sahiwal cattle at Pantnagar(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-10) Shivajee Pal; Singh, BrijeshThe purpose of the present investigation were to study the effects of non-genetic factors on performance traits. The data pertaining to 184 Sahiwal cattle, progeny of 21 sires which was distributed over a period of 31 years from 1986 to 2017, cows maintained at Instructional Dairy Farm, Nagla of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) and animal maintained under AICRP on cattle, Sahiwal. The effects of nongenetic factors of performance traits were studied by least square analysis of data by using the technique described by Hervey (1990). The least squares means for AFC, CI, SP, DP, LL, 305 LMY, TMY, DAPY and PY in first lactation were found to be 1055.27 25.90 days, 540.1115.85 days, 170.013.20 days, 260.6114.58 days, 278.896.12 day, 1911.5142.69 kg, 1969.7649.15 kg, 51.491.88 days, and 9.880.23 kg respectively, and in all lactation LSM for corresponding traits except AFC were found to be 521.097.37 days, 240.107.00 days, 229.388.91 days, 276.283.34 days, 1999.8425.58 kg, 2074.2631.19 kg, 47.701.03 days, and 10.740.1 kg respectively. The effects due to season of calving were observed to be nonsignificance on first and all lactations traits except DP in first lactation and LL in all lactations. The period of calving significantly influenced in first and all lactations. The effects due to parity were found to significant influence on CI, DP, 305 LMY, and PY while non- significant effect on SP, LL, TMY and DAPY. The heritability estimates of corresponding traits in first lactation were observed as 0.310.23, 0.360.24, 0.510.15, 0.230.21, 0.160.19, 0.430.25, 0.440.24, 0.360.24 and 0.540.27. In all lactation found to be 051.0.25, 0.560.20, 0.350.16, 0.290.12, 0.210.10, 0.240.11, 0.420.15 and 0.450.16 respectively. The trait LL and 305 LMY indicated low genetic base. However, other traits of study were medium to high heritable traits. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between first and all lactations traits were ranged from low to high. The estimated breeding values of sires estimated for 305 LMY, TMY and PY by simple daughters average D showed sire code 6 was better. The estimated breeding value of sires by BLUP method sire code 2, 8, 14, 15 and 16 higher than other sires. BLUP method for sire evaluation was better in compression with simple daughters average (D) method.ThesisItem Open Access A study on socio-economic profile of dairy farmers and prevalent animal husbandry practices in U. S. Nagar district of Uttarakhand(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-04) Bansod, Kamal; Palod, JyotiPresent study was carried in five clusters involving 250 farmers from 25 villages in U.S. Nagar district of Uttarakhand from December 2020 to June 2021to study the socio-economic profile, scientific management practices followed, the constraints faced by the farmers in adoption of scientific dairy husbandry practices and involvement of human resources and awareness level of farmers in animal husbandry practices. The data were collected by personal interview technique. The results of the study indicated that socio-economic profile of farmers were 45.20 per cent middle age group, 48 per cent educated high school and above,72.80 per cent having combined agriculture and animal husbandry as main occupation, 48.80 per cent had large land holding, 42 per cent had large herd size, 42 per cent had medium annual income, 54.40 per cent had medium experience of dairy farming, 71.60 per cent had joint family, 82.80 per cent got information in dairy farming by A.I workers, 85.20 per cent had care of their farm animals by family members. Regarding housing, 82.40 per cent had shed type of house, 88 per cent east-west direction, 47.20 per cent bricked floors, 58 per cent slope towards back,66.80 per cent half walled, 76.40 per cent had pucca type floor, 46 per cent pucca roof system, 78 per cent had optimum manger space,72.40 per cent had good ventilation, 72.40 per cent had clean houses, 71.20 per cent had manure pit at distant place, 68 per cent had proper drainage. With respect to feeding 87.60 per cent gave chaffed green fodder,57.60 per cent fed concentrate, 90.40 per cent grazed their animals on community land, 56.40 per cent fed dry fodder in chaffed form,63.60 per cent fed twice or more, 80 per cent fed common salt, 88.40 per cent fed mineral mixture. For breeding 83.20 per cent made heat detection, 56.80 per cent detected heat during morning time,55.60 per cent bred females within 12 hours of heat, 83.20 per cent bred animals by artificial insemination,45.20 per cent had parity of cow twice,76.80 per cent followed treatment of repeat breeders, 62 per cent bred cows in second heat after calving,86.80 per cent cleaned calf at birth,64.40 per cent took care of navel cord ,77.60 per cent left the milk for calf @ 10% of the calf weight,59.60 per cent weaned calf up to 30-day age, 60.80 per cent allowed calf to suckle after milking, 73.20 per cent provided calf starter from 15th day, 77.60 per cent castrated the male calf at 2 months age, 77.60 per cent used bardizzo castrator for castration, 59.60 per cent followed deworming, 75.20 per cent fed calf with antibiotics, 81.20 per cent kept milking environment clean and dry, 66.40 per cent farmers cleaned animal before milking,58 per cent were aware about udder washing practice,70 per cent used completely dome shaped pail, 74.80 per cent milked cows at equal interval, 82 per cent followed milking frequency twice, 58 per cent used full hand milking ,87.20 per cent sold milk in the market, 80.80 per cent took more than 7 minutes for milking,76.40 per cent maintained good hygiene, 76.40 per cent provided good comfort to the cow,90.40 per cent not facing lameness problem in their animals,90.80 per cent maintaining a good condition of the animal, 66 per cent had proper feeding and watering spaces, 73.20 per cent followed microclimate protection measurements inside animal houses for their animals, The results related to involvement of men and women in various animal husbandry practices clearly showed that the role of women in animal rearing was predominant. The association between clusters and involvement of human resources in feeding, breeding, milking operation, cleaning of shed, care of sick animals’, sale of milk, disposal of cow dung, collection of fodder was nonsignificant and only care of calf and social participation was significantly affected. Majority of farmers were aware of scientific calf management practices i.e. cutting of navel cord, knowledge about common diseases, disbudding of calves, antiseptic application, cleaning of calves after birth, housing management practices like shape of roof, ventilation , proper drainage, feeding practices like chaffed fodder feeding, time of concentrate feeding, important of mineral mixture and salt feeding etc., milking management practices like frequency of milking, cleaning the udder and teats before milking, ideal method of milking, best method of drying cattle, types of milking pan use, breeding management practices like heat detection, importance of breeding method, pregnancy diagnosis etc. Different constraints faced by farmers in survey area included some of the feeding, health care, breeding and socio-economic practices in certain animals of all the five clusters of study. To overcome these constraints, awareness and motivation camps should be organized.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of garlic and turmeric powder supplementation on performance of crossbred female calves(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2020-08) Mishra, Rajan; Singh, S.K.In the present study a feeding trial of 120 day was conducted to know the effect of garlic and turmeric powder supplementation on growth, nutrient utilization, haemato-biochemical parameters, fecal characteristics and immuneoxidative stress status of crossbred female calves during winter and summer season. Total 24 female crossbred calves (between 4- 6 months age) were selected and divided into 4 groups viz., T1 Control, T2 Garlic powder, T3 Turmeric Powder, T4 Garlic + Turmeric Powder (50:50) supplementation @ 15 g/head/day and in all the treatments feeds was given. Results of the present study reveal that the calves in T2 group had significantly (P<0.05) higher total BW, ADG, body measurements and DMI followed by T4, T3 and lowest in the control group and FCE of the calves were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T2 followed by T3, T4 and lowest in control group. While during summer, it was recorded that calves in the T4 group had significantly (P<0.05) higher BW and ADG followed by T2, T3 and lowest in control group. HAW and BL of the calves were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T4 followed by T2, T3 and lowest in control group while, CG of the calves was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T3 followed by T4, T2 and lowest in control group. DMI was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T4 followed by T3, T2 and lowest in the control group while FCE of the calves was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T4 followed by T2, T3 and lowest in control group. Digestibility of OM, CF and NFE were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T3 followed by T2, T4 and lowest in control group, and digestibility of CP was significantly (P<0.05) higher in control group followed by T3, T2 and lower in T4 group during winter season. While during summer season, digestibility of DM, OM and CF were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T4 and lower in the control group, digestibility of CP was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the control and lower in the T2 group. Digestibility of EE and NFE were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T2 and lower in the control group. Hb, PCV, TLC, TEC and lymphocytes were significantly (P<0.05) higher and neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the supplemented groups as compared to the control during both seasons. Total protein, albumin and globulin were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T2 followed by T4, T3 and lowest in the control group, while glucose, BUN and AST were lower in the T2, GGT and ALT levels were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T3 group and creatinine level was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T4 group followed by others during winter season. However during summer, total protein and albumin levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T4 and globulin levels was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T3, glucose and BUN levels significantly lower in the T4, GGT and ALT levels were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T3, creatinine and AST levels were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T2 group. Total cholesterol level was significantly (P<0.01) lower in the T4 group, LDL, VLDL and triglycerides levels were significantly (P<0.01) lower in the T2 group while HDL level was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the T2 group followed by others during winter season. However during summer, total cholesterol, VLDL and triglycerides levels were significantly (P<0.01) lower in the T3, LDL levels was significantly (P<0.01) lower in the T4 group and HDL levels was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the T4 group. Fecal volume and pH were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T3 group, feces frequency was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T4 and T2 group and feces colour and frequency was normal in nature in all supplemented groups during both seasons except feces frequency was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T4 group during summer season. Amphistomes spp. counts was significantly (P<0.01) lower in the T2 group but moniezia and Eimeria spp. counts were significantly (P<0.01) lower in the T4 group during both seasons. Fecal coliform and E. coli counts were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T2 group followed by others during winter season, while during summer season fecal coliform count was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T2 group and E. coli count was lower in the T4 group. Total immunoglobulin concentration was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T4 group followed by T3, T2 and lowest in control group during winter season, while during summer total immunoglobulin concentration was significantly higher in the T2 followed by T4, T3 and lowest in the control group. Cell mediated immune response was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T2 followed by T4, T3 and lowest in the control group during winter season. While during summer season cell mediated immune response was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T3 followed by T4, T2 and lowest in the control group. Humoral immune response was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T2 followed by T3, T4 and lowest in the control group during winter season while during summer humoral immune response was significantly higher in the T4 followed by T3, T2 and lowest in the control group. SOD, GSH and cortisol levels were significantly lower in the T4 followed by T3, T2, LPO levels was significantly lower in the T2 followed by T4, T3 and higher in the control group during winter season. During summer season, SOD and GSH levels were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T3 followed by T4, T2, LPO and cortisol levels were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T4 followed by T2, T3 and higher in the control group. It can be concluded that, garlic and turmeric powder supplementation in the diet of crossbred female calves to improves their overall growth performance, hematobiochemical parameters, fecal characteristics, immunity response and reduces cholesterol concentrations, oxidative stress status during winter and summer season.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of phenotypic and genetic diversity in different colour variants of Badri cattle using neutral and functional markers(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2019-07) Dar, Aashaq Hussain; Sanjay KumarThe present study was conducted on Badri cattle and its three colour variants viz., grey, brown and black from Uttarakhand state of India. Efforts were made for phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Badri cattle. For genetic characterization, microsatellite (SSR) and gene based markers were utilized to assess the general and functional genetic diversity in Badri cattle. Sampling was done from both Kumaon and Garhwal divisions of Uttarakhand, covering five hilly districts from each divisions. For genetic characterization, a total of 96 blood samples collected; 90 samples from the breeding tract (9 samples each from the 10 districts) and 3 samples each from University Dairy Farm, GBPUAT, Pantnagar and State Breeding Farm, Champawat . Phenotypic characterization of Badri cattle indiacted that it is a small sized cattle with an average adult body weight of about 200-250 kg. The body is compact and cylindrical with tight skin. The muzzle, horn, eyelids, switch of tail and hooves are mostly black in colour. Udder is small sized and trough (bowl) type. The fore and hind quarters of udder were small and medium sized respectively. The teat shape was cylindrical (70 and 78 %) and funnel type (30 and 32%) in Kumaon and Garhwal respectively. Data analysis revealed that breeding tract regions had no effect while as sex and age has significant effect on morphometric traits of Badri cattle. Badri cattle produce about 1.61 ±0.02 kg milk per day of lactation. The average lactation length, dry period, age of puberty, age at first calving, service period and calving interval were found to be 323.10 ±2.71, 82.20 ±0.99 days, 3.38 ±0.05 years and 4.38 ±0.05 years and 5.12 ±0.09 and 14.05 ±0.09 months respectively. The milk constituents viz. fat, protein, lactose, SNF and total solid percentage was higher than exotic cattle and some Indigenous breeds. The present study revealed that the mineral composition of Badri cattle milk is comparable with other cattle breeds. Ca, Mg, P, and Na content increased significantly in the third stage of lactation while potassium showed a reverse trend. The average serum glucose, total protein, triglycerides, cholesterol, creatinine and urea were found to differ significantly in summer and winter seasons. Using light microscopy, it was revealed that the hair shaft and medullary diameter at medial region and both regions of body i.e. dorsal and ventral, differed significantly within colour variants of Badri cattle, i.e. Grey, black and brown variants. At both dorsal region and ventral region within the colour variant groups, there was a significant difference between cortical thickness of hair shaft at proximal, medial and distal part. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the medullary diameter was significantly higher in medial region of hair shaft as compared to proximal and distal part in all the colour variants at both dorsal and ventral regions of the body. The genotypic characterization revealed that there was ample of genetic diversity in all the colour variants. Bottle neck analysis revealed that Badri cattle and its colour variants are under bottleneck. Structure analysis revealed that all the three colour variants of Badri cattle are actually single breed. Further it showed Badri cattle is a distinct breed as revealed by structure analysis with Red sindhi, Sahiwal, Jersey and Holstein Fresian. Individual assignment using GENECLASS software revealed that the individuals in three colour variants were assigned to all the 3 colour groups while a few individuals were assigned to other breeds at a negligible probability. The polymorphism at kappa-casein, beta-casein, alphalactalbumen, beta-globulin, butyrophilin, growth hormone and prolactin were in close range with other Indigenous cattle breeds.ThesisItem Open Access Study on existing dairy animal husbandry practices in U.S. Nagar district of Uttarakhand(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2018-01) Yadav, Shikha; Anil KumarPresent study was carried on five different clusters involving 180 farmers from different five clusters, 36 farmers of each cluster were selected in U .S. Nagar district of Uttarakhand from January 2017 to June 2017 with the objective of studying socioeconomic profile, management practices, constraints etc. Maximum numbers of farmers of selected area were found socio-economically sound as land holdings were ranges from medium to large with them. The average number of cattle in the study area was 3.51±0.11 (ranges from 2.91±0.17 to 4.55±0.28) whereas the buffalo were 2.28±0.13 (ranges from 1.44±0.44 to 3.38±0.45) with average number of 5.79±0.24 total per household. Majority of the farmers had pucca house (73.89 percent), good sanitation (86.67 percent) and ventilation (85 percent), semi intensive type (76.67 percent) type of housing. Regarding existing feeding practices, most the farmers were aware about the importance of green fodder feeding, concentrate feeding, inclusion of mineral mixture and salt in feed and colostrum feeding. Farmers of study area has adopted artificial insemination in cattle (98.33 percent ), where as in buffalo 100 percent farmers were adopted naural insemination. They were aware about the symptoms of heat detection as well as insemination (93.33 percent) at right time i.e. in between 12-18 hours after onset of heat. The overall data revealed that majority of farmers i.e. 86.67 per cent followed vaccination schedule in their animals. Deworming, debudding in calf, navel calf treatment, measures to control ecto-parasites were the routine practices adopted by the majority of the farmers in selected area. Women were participating actively in all managemental practices including feeding, insemination, milking, sale of the animal etc. than the men. There were several constraints were also reported like unavailability of pedigreed buffalo bulls for natural insemination, lack of knowledge of contagious diseases and their preventive measures etc. Based on above it can be concluded that majority of dairy farmers were found to have high level of awareness regarding housing, feeding, health care and breeding management. It was also concluded that role of women in most of the animal husbandry practices were predominant in the survey area. There were certain aspects where they followed management practices properly to certain extent but most of the feeding and breeding practices need to be improved in surveyed area. To overcome the constraints of various management practices, awareness and motivation camps should be organized.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on comparative efficacy of herbal methionine vis-à-vis synthetic dl-methionine supplementation on the performance of commercial broiler chicks during winter and summer season(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2017-08) Nanda, Subhankar; Tiwari, D.P.Two feeding trials viz., during winter and summer seasons were conducted to discern the comparative effect of dietary supplementation of herbal methionine vis-à-vis synthetic DL-methionine on growth performance, nutrient utilization, carcass characteristics and serum biochemical parameters and economics (feed cost/ kg body weight gain) in commercial broiler chickens. In both the seasons 180, day-old broiler chicks were divided randomly into 6 treatment groups with 3 replicates each that is 10 broiler chicks per replicate. The broiler chicks of treatment group T1 (control) were fed basal diet (starter and finisher diet), whereas in treatment groups T2, T3, T4 and T5 basal diets were supplemented with 0.2 % DL-methionine, 0.15 % DL-methionine + 0.05 % herbal methionine, 0.1 % DL-methionine + 0.1 % herbal methionine, 0.05% DL-methionine + 0.15 % herbal methionine and 0.2 % herbal methionine by replacing the DL-methionine at 0,25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent levels respectively. In both winter and summer seasons, the feeding trial lasted for viz., 0-21 days (starter phase) and 21-42 days (finisher phase). A metabolism trial was conducted during 6th week of feeding trial. Blood samples were collected on 42nd day of feeding trial for the study of serum biochemical parameters. At the end of feeding trial on 42nd day, 3 chicks from each replicates were sacrificed for the study of carcass characteristics. The growth performance parameters obtained during winter and summer seasons were pooled and average values were recorded. During starter phase, there was significant difference in body weight gain amongst the different treatment groups of broiler chicks. The overall average body weight gain was 618.45, 637.73, 639.60, 649.40, 641.35 and 653.88 g, respectively, in broiler chicks of T1, T2, T3, T4 T5 and T6. The highest body weight gain was in treatment T6 and lowest in treatment T1. The feed intake, performance index, protein efficiency ratio and production efficiency factor did not differ significantly among different groups. The feed conversion ratio was significantly better in treatment T6 than other treatment groups. During 21-42 days (finisher phase) the overall average pooled body weight gains in broiler chicks were 1284.90, 1325.51, 1399.52, 1326.82, 1357.50 and 1354.42 g, respectively, in the treatment groups T1,T2, T3, T4 T5 and T6 and differed significantly amongst the groups. Body weight gain was maximum in treatment T1. The feed intake was also significantly higher in treatment T3, however, feed conversion ratio, performance index, protein efficiency ratio and production efficiency factor in broiler chicks of various groups were statistically similar. During the entire feeding trial (0-42 days) the overall cumulative average pooled values showed significant difference (0.01) in weight gain and feed intake amongst the different treatment groups of broiler chicks. The average body weight gain was 1903.29, 1963.24, 2039.11, 1976.22, 1998.85 ad 2009.75 g in broiler chicks of treatment groups T1,T2, T3, T4 T5 and T6, respectively. The feed intake was highest in treatment group T3 and lowest in treatment T1, whereas feed intake was statistically similar in treatment T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6. There was no significant difference in feed conversion ratio, performance index, protein efficiency ratio and production efficiency factor among the different treatment groups. There was significant difference in nutrient utilization in dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, and gross energy amongst the different the treatment groups. The nutrient utilization was highest in treatment T5 and T6 and lowest in treatment T1 and T2. The various carcass traits in broilers were not affected due to either sources of methionine supplementation but dressing percentage was significantly highest in treatment T6 than treatment T1. There was significant difference in dry matter, crude protein, ether extract content in breast and thigh muscles of broiler chicks. The serum biochemical parameters showed significant reduction in cholesterol and triglycerides contents in treatments T5 and T6 as compared to other treatment groups. The serum glucose, total protein, albumin and globulin concentration were significantly higher in broiler chicks of herbal supplemented groups. The activities of SGOT, SGPT and ALP differed significantly amongst the treatment groups. The SGPT and SGOT values were significantly higher in treatment groups T1 without any methionine supplementation than the broiler chicks fed diet supplemented with herbal methionine as well as synthetic DL-methionine. The feed cost/ kg weight gain differed significantly during starter and finisher phase of feeding trial and the overall pooled values of feed cost per kg body weight gain were considerably higher in treatment groups and supplemented with herbal and synthetic DL-methionine than broiler chicks of control groups. It was concluded that supplementation of herbal methionine in the diet of starter and finisher broiler chicks improved the growth performance and nutrient utilization coupled with reduction in serum cholesterol and triglyceride without affecting the carcass traits but the feed cost per kg weight gain was increased due to supplementation of herbal as well as synthetic DL-methionineThesisItem Open Access Study on various goat production systems in tarai region with special reference to Pantja goats(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2017-06) Khadda, Balbir Singh; Singh, BrijeshThe present study was conducted in two parts, in first part relevant observations pertaining to goat husbandry practices followed by 645 goat keepers of district Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital were collected by using interview schedule, interview guide and direct observation methods whereas, second part comprised of a study on various performance traits of Pantja goats recorded on the basis of progeny data. The data of both the parts, generated under ICAR sponsored AICRP on goats (Pantja field Unit) located in the department of livestock production management, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand). Results of the study showed that majority (90.39 %) of goat rearers belonged to Hindu religion, 55.97% of respondents lived in nuclear family with 53.64 % having a family size of more than 5 members. Overall literacy rate was 64.96 per cent. Majority of the farmers rearing Pantja goats were from Scheduled castes (43.88%) and 82.95% belonged to the middle age group. Majority of the goat keepers (47.91%) followed animal husbandry as a primary profession and 73.80% were landless peasants and 71.97% households earned a total income of more than Rs.50, 000 per annum. Women’s play role in parturition (73.95%), followed by cleaning of animal shed (61.40%), care of sick animal (56.43%), stall feeding after grazing (54.11%), care of young stock (52.40 %), spraying/ dusting (54.26%) and grazing of animals (47.44%). Majority of goat keepers (59.69%) maintained the flock within a shed near to own residences (79.84%) at night with incomplete boundary wall (43.88%) and 62.79% had kachcha floor in goat sheds and (84.65%) used temporary type of roof. Most of the goat rearers (78.29 %) did not have manger and 65.43% had poor sanitation in the sheds. Majority of goat keepers (65.58%) adopted semi stall feeding system. Grazing was done mostly on community land (95.97%) . The maximum proportion of goat rearers fed 100-200g concentrate/goat/ day. Majority of goat keepers (89.15%) did not provide mineral mixture. Majority of goat keepers (94.42%) practised heat detection. Pregnancy diagnosis was followed by 90.70% of the goat keepers by own judgment (92.825). Majority of goat rearers practiced deworming (70.39%), vaccination (55.81%) and control of ecto-parasites (61.24%). Majority of goat keepers (67.91%) were not aware of the care of navel cord of new born kids and 52.25% were not following the practice of castration of the male kids. Most of the goat rearers (92.71%) sold the female goats at own home through middle men (68.22%) based on physical appearance (46.82%) round the year for cash needs (68.84%). The study revealed that 87.59% investment was made on cost of goats and the overall variable cost contributed 77.89% to the gross cost. The net income over gross cost per household was observed to be Rs. 7267.89, 18133.40, 31243.90 and 56028.00 in small, medium, semi-large and large flocks, respectively. The overall least-squares mean for body weight at birth and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were found to be 1.89±0.02, 9.49±0.20, 13.09±0.18, 16.38±0.19 and 18.84±0.22 kg, respectively. The overall least squares means were measured at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months age for the morphometric traits viz. body height (28.55±0.11, 47.26±0.26, 52.23±0.32, 57.33±0.38 and 60.21±0.27 cm.), body length (26.90±0.13, 44.08±0.25, 48.05±0.15, 51.66±0.25 and 54.70±0.25 cm.), chest girth (29.11±0.15, 49.02±0.23, 53.45±0.32, 57.76±0.26 and 61.06±0.19 cm.), paunch girth (30.55±0.15, 51.83±0.29, 56.34±0.25, 60.81±0.33 and 62.98±0.25 cm.), ear length (9.55±0.09, 15.16±0.06, 16.28±0.06, 16.88±0.27 and 17.66±0.07 cm.) and ear width (4.57±0.06, 6.09±0.10, 6.72±0.08, 7.18±0.08 and 7.83±0.07 cm.). The overall least squares mean for horn length at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 2.12±0.07, 4.32±0.15, 5.93±0.18 and 6.46±0.18 cm, respectively. The overall least squares means for absolute growth rate, relative growth rate, instantaneous relative growth rate and Kleiber ratio were found to be 84.21±2.07, 39.93±0.77, 35.77±0.77 and 28.16±1.56g/ day; 3.98±0.08, 0.37±0.02, 0.24±0.01 and 0.16±0.01 kg/ kg; 1.75±0.02, 0.35±0.01, 0.24±0.01 and 0.17±0.01 per cent/ day and 15.29±0.16, 5.50±0.15, 4.24±0.09 and 3.53±0.37g between 0-3, 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12 months of age respectively. Based on results of present study it was concluded that the goat keepers of the region were not fully aware about improved goat husbandry practices. Pantja breed of goat has an immense production potential. The maximum potential has not been realized due to subsistence type of production system adopted by the goat keepers. It can be achieved by following improved husbandry practices, which will not only improve the productive and reproductive performance of the goats but also improve the socio-economic conditions of the goat rearers.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic studies on reproduction and production traits in Uttara fowl(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2016-07) Singh, Manish Kumar; Shive KumarThesisItem Open Access Studies on livestock waste management with special reference to characterization of urine(Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology;Pantnagar, 2006) Dhimarn, Chitra; Sharma, R.J.
