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Anand Agricultural University, Anand
Anand Agricultural University (AAU) was established in 2004 at Anand with the support of the Government of Gujarat, Act No.(Guj 5 of 2004) dated April 29, 2004. Caved out of the erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University (GAU), the dream institution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. K. M. Munshi, the AAU was set up to provide support to the farming community in three facets namely education, research and extension activities in Agriculture, Horticulture Engineering, product Processing and Home Science. At present there seven Colleges, seventeen Research Centers and six Extension Education Institute working in nine districts of Gujarat namely Ahmedabad, Anand, Dahod, Kheda, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Mahisagar, Botad and Chhotaudepur
AAU's activities have expanded to span newer commodity sectors such as soil health card, bio-diesel, medicinal plants apart from the mandatory ones like rice, maize, tobacco, vegetable crops, fruit crops, forage crops, animal breeding, nutrition and dairy products etc. the core of AAU's operating philosophy however, continues to create the partnership between the rural people and committed academic as the basic for sustainable rural development. In pursuing its various programmes AAU's overall mission is to promote sustainable growth and economic independence in rural society. AAU aims to do this through education, research and extension education. Thus, AAU works towards the empowerment of the farmers.
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ThesisItem Open Access ECONOMIC RAISING OF GIR ( Bos indicus ) CALVES BY FEEDING MILK REPLACER(AAU, Anand, 2006) ODEDRA, MULRAJ DEVABHAI; RAVIKALA, K.An experiment of thirteen weeks duration was conducted on eighteen weaned Gir calves randomly divided into three groups of six each. The first group received whole milk feeding, while the second group received milk replacer feeding replacing 25 per cent of milk and the third group received milk replacer feeding replacing 50 per cent of whole milk. Milk replacer was more or less similar to milk in composition and could sustain tiie growth rate of weaned Gir calves as appeared from the acceptability. The results revealed non significant differences in average daily gains under three treatment groups though the periodical changes in body weight were linear in nature. Milk replacer fed groups recorded poor growth compared to whole milk fed group. Changes in biometry were also non significant due to treatment effect. Overall liquid feed consumption, concentrate intake, roughage intake, total DMI (g/day), per cent DMI and DMI per kg metabolic weight did not differ significantly among three treatment groups. Though the consumption pattern of DMI was at par in all the three treatment groups, body weight gain was poor in T-2 and T-3 due to negative growth recorded in the second week of the experiment. Feed efficiency was at par in all the three treatment groups and it was higher in T-1 followed by T-3 and T-2 indicating the superiority of natural milk to that of milk replacer. Overall difference in the cost of feeding/kg body weight gain was also non significant in three treatment groups. Cost of feeding/kg gain was the lowest in T-3 followed by T-1 and T-2.ThesisItem Open Access BREED CHARACTERISTICS AND MANAGEMENTAL PRACTICIES OF KATHIAWADI HORSES-A FIELD STUDY(AAU, Anand, 2002) Prajapati, R. B.; Belsare, V. P.The present investigation was carried out to study the important breed characteristics of Kathiawadi horses and traditional managemental practices followed by horse owners in Ahmedabad, Surendranagar and Bhavnagar districts of Gujarat state. In all 260 Kathiawadi horses were covered to study physical characteristics and biometry. Status of Kathiawadi horse ferms were surveyed through personal interview of 184 horse owners in three districts. Kathiawadi horses have small erect ears, which touch to each other. The forehead is concave have wide nostrils, with large prominent eyes, straight back with long curley tail. Generally horse owners keep horses for hobby and ceremonial purpose. Although they keep animal for carting purpose also. Majority of farmers were having primary education and they belongs to general category like, Rajput and Kathidarbar. Practice of feeding were concentrate, green fodder and dry fodder and also jaggery were fed by some owners. Majority of the horse owner keep the animal as a family member and take care accordingly. However there were some differences in feeding practices according to availability of resources and socio economic structure. Majority of owners exercised and groomed their horses daily. The average working hours were 2.76 hours / animal. Majority of farmer keep 1-2 horses. On an average herd size was 1.67. The average age of mare studied was 7.74 years and stallion was 8.55 years. The pre-dominant body colours of Kathiawadi horses were Chestnut 35.8 per cent. Bay 34.2 per cent. Grey 22.3 per cent. Skewbald 4,23 per cent. While other colours were below one per cent. Colour markings observed in Kathiawadi horses were Star 41.15 per cent, Star-Strip 7.31 per cent, Star-Strip-Snip 15.78 per cent, Stocking 6.15 per cent, Blaze 0.69 per cent. Black Knee 0.38 per cent and Whirl on forehead 2.69 per cent. The average length of forehead was 18.54 cms, the average length and width of ears was 13.12 and 7.2 cms, the length and width of face was 33.41 and 19.80. The body length was 147.60 cms., the length of neck, back and tail was 78.39, 76.22 and 42.52 respectively. The chest width was 33.40 cms., heart girth and belly girth was 166.15 and 171.81 cms respectively. The distance between knee to fetlock and height at knee was 25.55 and 43.07 cms respectively. The diameter of hoof was 42.34 cms. Distance between fetlock to coronet and height at hock was 11.36 and 55.16 cms respectively. The distance between croup to head of tail was 33.62 cms while height at wither and height at rump was 145.74 cms and 146.56 cms respectively. The averse body weight of horses calculated was ranging from 473.58 kg to 519.07 kg. Newborn foal was allowed to suckle colostrum freely. The growing foal was kept with mother and was having free access to suckle sufficient milk from the dam. The various reproductive characters studied were. Age at Puberty 1060 days, Age at First Service 1632 days, Age at First Foaling 1966 days. Gestation Period 335.2 days, Service Period 155.5 days and Foaling interval 490.4 days. The study of breed characters and traditional managemental practices of Kathiawadi horses under field revealed the feet that there is an urgent need to expand veterinary and extension services specially in rural area of Kathiawad for development of this breed. Secondly there is also need to educate the horse owners in respect of proper feeding and breeding of Kathiawadi horses and strengthening of Veterinary Aid Centers and Service Centers.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON FEEDING OF DETOXIFIED CASTOR SEED CAKE (Ricinus communis) IN COMMERCIAL BROILERS(AAU, Anand, 2005) SHARMA, RAVINDER; KHANNA, KULDEEPFour hundred twenty straight run "Cobb" day-old commercial broiler chicks of same hatch procured from Charotar hatcheries, Pansora, Anand, were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments viz. Tl: control broiler ration, T2: 5% detoxified castor seed cake based broiler ration and T3: 10% detoxified castor seed cake based broiler ration. There were 140 chicks in each treatment having fourteen replications (10 chicks in each replication). The isocaloric and isonitrogenous experimental rations formulated for two phases of growth were: Broiler Starter (0-4 weeks) and Broiler Finisher (5-6 weeks). The Crude Protein and Metabolizable Energy content of the broiler rations was decided keeping in view the genetic growth attained by "Cobb" during last twelve years. The rations were fortified with adequate vitamin supplements and coccidiostats. The birds were reared in the cage system of housing during the entire experimental period. The average initial body weight of day old chicks of the three treatment groups i.e. T1, T2 and T3 were 44.30±0.249, 43.67±0.291 and 43.90±0.365g, respectively that finally reached to 1513.77±12.315, 1508.96±15.876 and 1497.64±14.663g, respectively in T1, T2 and T3 at the end of 6 weeks. In this respect the treatment groups did not differ (P<0.05) from each other. The respective average body weight gain at the end of 4th week for T1, T2 and T3 was 750.82±6.680, 770.94±8.442, and 704.99±7.864g, respectively, while overall 0-6 week average body weight gain was 1467.99±11.165, 1458.47117.348 and 1452.99±14.479g for treatments T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The total average feed consumption during 0-6 week in Tl, T2 and T3 groups were 2549.74+18.444, 2653.87±16.008 and 2570.45±20.983g, respectively. The intake of broilers in Tl and T3 groups was statistically (P<0.05) similar but both differed from T2 group. Similar was the trend for the overall (0-6 week) average feed conversion ratio (kg/ kg weight gain), which was 1.69±0.011, 1.76±0.020 and 1.72±0.017 in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The average percent livabilty of broilers in Tl, T2 and T3 groups was 96.4, 96.4 and 98.5, respectively. The European performance efficiency index for treatment groups T1, T2 and T3 during starter phase was 209.81+4.178, 214.5713.422 and 211.63±4.304; and the same during finisher phase respectively was 213.50±2.781, 204.05±4.323 and 207.77±3.667. The dressing yields observed were 1.06±0.04, 0.98±0.03, and 0.99±0.04kg in T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively. The organs weight in treatment groups Tl, T2 and T3 with respect to Liver (37.61±1.76, 39.71±1.22 and 37.73±1.89g), Gizzard (33.81±1.83, 31.48±0.90 and 28.60±1.25g), Heart (7.79±0.50, 8.25±0.16 and 7.08±0.25g), Spleen (2.81±0.37, 2.66±0.16 and 2.76±0.28g) and Kidney (11.35±1.34, 11.63±0.54 and 11.88±0.49g) were more or less similar. The results of this study indicated that inclusion of detoxified castor seed cake up to 10% level in the broiler ration has no any adverse effect on feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, Livability, carcass characteristics and European performance efficiency index.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF QUALITY FEED AND LITTER MATERIALS ON BROILER PERFORMANCE(AAU, Anand, 2005) SHARNAM, KUMAR SHAMBHU; Patel, Ashok M.A field bench mark survey was carried out to study the basic problems faced by the farmers on quality feeds, suitability of litter materials and optimum floor space required for broiler production in nearby villages embarrassing 20-25 km radius of Veterinary College, Anand, Gujarat state. The experiment was conducted on 887 straight run day old commercial broiler chicks (Cobb) obtained from M/S Venkey's hatcheries Pvt. Ltd., Anand and the growth trial was conducted in layer house, poultry unit of the Instructional Farm, Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat) from 03-09-03 to 08-10-03. The experimental birds were randomly distributed in eight equal floor spaced cells (125 sq.ft/cell). The two litter materials viz Rice husk (L1) and wheat straw + saw dust (L2) in equal weight based proportion were spread uniformly with one inch thickness initially in all eight cells and fed two different rations Ri (BS-I: 24.18 % CP and 2999 Kcal/Kg ME with 124:1 energy: protein ratio and BF-I: 22.22 % CP and 3108 Kcal/Kg ME with 140:1 energy: protein ratio) and R2 (BS-II: 22.12 % CP, 2879 Kcal/Kg ME with 130:1 energy: protein ratio and BF-II: 19.87 % CP and 2941 Kcal/Kg ME with 148:1 energy: protein ratio) in order to form four combinations viz. L1R1, L1R2, L2R1 and L2R2 of litter materials and rations. Broiler starters were given upto 3rd week after that broiler finishers rations were given to birds along with broiler starter in ratio of 25:75, 50:50 and 75:25 for two days consecutively in 4th week and during 5th week birds were fed on solely broiler finishers upto 35th day.ThesisItem Open Access STUDY ON PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE AND GENETIC PARAMETERS OF SYNTHETIC LINE OF WHITE LEGHORN(AAU, Anand, 2006) BAROT, VASANTKUMAR NAVALJI; PATEL, ASHOK M.The present study was carried out to investigate the production performance, inheritance and association among various economic traits in a synthetic strain of White Leghorn for five successive generations under Central Poultry Research Station Project at Department of Poultry Science, Anand Agricultural University, Anand. Number of pullets from first to fifth generation utilized as experiraental materials were 413 (37 Sire family), 446 (30 Sire family), 441 (37 Sire family), 449 (40 Sire family) and 440 (39 Sire family). The data obtained on these birds were analyzed, to obtain the estimates of the means, heritability and genetic and phenotypic correlations, through Least Square Analysis using LSMLMW and MIXED MODEL Computer programme. The least squares means for various economic traits in S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 generations respectively were 1173.21 ±9.11, 1133.36 ± 9.64, 1214.75 ± 11.32, 1200.56 ± 8.56 and 1214.73 ± 5.45 g for BW20, 1514.10 ± 14.64, 1421.86 ± 14.70, 1450.10 ± 11.70, 1456.77 ± 11.96 and 1429.75 ± 7.79 g for BW40, 1525.63 + 14.89, 1477.94 ± 12.41, 1591.66 ± 16.39, 1593.30 ± 13.67, and 1538.53 ± 9.62 g for BW56, 1530.87 ± 19.08, 1487.32 ± 12.89, 1655.85 + 17.06, 1517.11 ± 16.22 and 1645.74 ± 9.44 g for BW72, 153, 150, 159, 151 and 151 days for AFE, 103.736 ± 0.784, 99.511 ± 1.051, 93.576 ± 0.933. 107.036 ± 0.729 and 104.923 ± 0.652 eggs for EN40, 180.730 ± 1.354, 185.623 ± 1.227, 179.663 ± 1.220, 196.590 ± 1.040 and 189.130 ± 1.021 eggs for EN56, 238.403 ± 2.150, 254.015 ± 2.133, 277.950 ± 1.151, 271.726 ± 1.634 and 266.933 ± 1.434 eggs for EN72, 46.235 ± 0.325, 50.139 ± 387, 49.134 ±0.310, 48.012 ±0.265 and 51.724 ± 0.158 g for EW32, 53.272 ± 0.356, 51.915 ± 0.319, 49.219 + 0.326, 50.356 ± 0.281 and 52.306 ± 0.165 g for EW40, 54.101 ± 0.372, 54.379 ± 0.401, 53.139 ± 0.384, 54.897 ± 0.301 and 55.777 ± 0.174 g for EW56, 51.962 ± 0.341, 54.908 ± 0.385, 56.542 ± 0.515, 52.593 ± 0.351 and 61.610 ± 0.224 g for EW72, Rs. 74.00, 95.00, 76.00, 33.00 and 40.00 for ROFC per bird. The heritability estimates for various traits were found to be 0.450 ± 0.168, 0.679 ± 0.203, 0.976 ± 0.229, 0.678 ± 0.192 and 0.427 ± 0.159 {BW20), 0.490 ± 0.174, 0.617 ± 0.194, 0.737 ± 0.203, 0.723 ± 0.197 and 0.573 ± 0.180 (BW40), 0.425 ± 0.168, 0.235 ± 0.128, 1.019 ± 0.235, 0.770 ± 0.204 and 0.533 ± 0.175 (BWse), 0.718 ± 0.241, 0.378 + 0.162, 0.837 ± 0.269, 0.773 ± 0.207 and 0.204 ± 0.127 (BW72), 0.482 ± 0.173, 0.720 ± 0.209, 0.354 ± 0.148, 0.330 ± 0.143 and 0.481 ± 0.167 (AFE), 0.246 ± 0.135, 0.212 ± 0.120, 0.364 ± 0.150, 0.349 ± 0.146 and 0.831 ± 0.i211 (EN40), 0.387 ± 0.162, 0.064 ± 0.091 , 0.162 ± 0.118 , 0.257 ± 0.133 and 0.901 ± 0.219 (ENse), 0.193 ± 0.171, 0.140 + 0.114, 0.190 ± 0.191, 0.097 ± 0.108 and 0.790 ± 0.210 (EN72), 1.199 ± 0.250 , 0.936 ± 0.243 , 0.832 ± 0.204 , 0.624 ± 0.185 and 0.660 ± 0.194 (EW32), 1.099 ± 0.243, 0.861 ± 0.234, 0.708 ± 0.204, 0.630 ± 0.186, and 0.551 ± 0.180 (EW40), 1.081 ± 0.251,1.102 + 0.264, 0.948 ± 0.228, 0.621 ± 0.186 and 1.187 ± 0.244 (EWse), 0.471 ± 0.235, 0.575 ± 0.220, 1.196 ± 0.299, 0.723 ± 0.204 and 0.588 ± 0.195 (EW72) in S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 generation respectively. The genetic correlations amongst body weight traits (BW20, BW40, BW56 and BW72) were positive and high in magnitude and in desired direction. The genetic correlations of BW20 with other growth traits (BW40, BW56 and BW72) ranged from 0.475 ± 0.226 to 0.924 ± 0.054. The genetic correlations of BW40 with BWse and BW72 were ranged from 0.491 ± 0.213 to 1.176 ± 0.117 where as the same between BW56 and BW72were ranged from 0.940 + 0.162 to 1.227 ± 0.115. The estimates of genetic correlations between body weight at 20 weeks of age and age at first egg were found to be low positive to negative side in all the generation except for the fourth generation. Contrary to this, positive and low genetic and phenotypic association was found between BW40 and age at first egg. The genetic correlations between body weight at 72 week and AFE were found to be positive, favourable and in desired direction. The genetic correlations of EN40 with various growth traits (BW20, BW40, BW56 and BW72) ranged from - 0.631 ± 0.244 to 0.230 ± 0.314 whereas genetic correlations of EN72 with various growth traits (BW20, BW40, BW56 and BW72) ranged little wider from -0.765 ± 0.429 to 0.278 ± 0.444. The genetic correlations of growth traits (BW20, BW40, BW56 and BW72) with egg weight traits (EW32, EW40, EW56 and EW72) were positive and moderate to high in magnitude. Negative genetic correlation of high magnitude was reported between age at first egg and egg production up to 40 weeks. In opposition to this, positive genetic and phenotypic association between age at sexual maturity and egg weight was reported. The genetic correlations between egg production (EN40, ENse and EN72) and egg weight traits (EW32, EW40, EW56 and EW72) were negative and high in magnitude in fifth generation. The phenotypic association of egg number with body weight and egg weight traits were negative and low in magnitude compared to genetic association.ThesisItem Open Access MICRO AND MACRO CLIMATE OF ANIMAL AND POULTRY HOUSES ON ORGANISED FARMS(AAU, Anand, 2005) NARWADE, BABAN MADHAVRAO; Patel, Ashok M.A study was carried out to find out the status of micro and macro climate of cattle and poultry houses on organized farms during (a) Summer: Hot dry (May and June 2003), (b) Monsoon season: Rainy-wet (August 2003), (c) Hot humid (September 2003) and (d) Mild Winter season: Cold dry (November 2003). For the purpose of study, following cattle and poultry farms of Anand Agricultural University, Anand; (i) Two sheds, cowshed and calf pen were selected from instructional Farm, Department of Livestock production and Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Anand (ii) cowshed at Livestock Research Station and (iii) cowshed at Holstein Friesian Bull Mother Farm and, (iv) at Central Poultry Research Station, three types of poultry houses namely (a) deep litter (b) cage house and (c) cage house with raised platform were selected. Meteorological observations were recorded at 7.30 am and 14.30 hours both inside and outside of cowshed, calf pen and poultry house by (a) Digital thermohygrometer (J411TH) for temperature & relative humidity (Plate XI), (b) digital anemometer (Lutron-AM4201) for wind velocity, (c) digital lux meter (Masteckms6610) for light intensity and (d) Yash High Volume Air Sampler (Yash Engineering, Vadodara) for dust concentration in the air of houses. The VIIVAS was placed in the center of animal and poiiHry houses and run for 3 hrs from 10.00 to 13.00 hrs. The average the dust concentration in the animal and poultry shed was calculated by difference of final weight and initial weight of filter paper on microbalance. The filter papers used were of Glass Microfibre Filters GF/A Cat No. 1820 866 Whatman International Ltd., England. The filter papers were packed in individual polypropylene bags. The sterilized bags were opened only at the site where it was directly placed in position in YHVAS machine with the help of sterilized forceps and run for three hours in animal and poultry sheds at 10:00 hours to 13:00 hours. The filter paper were removed and filled in the same polypropylene bags and weighed in the laboratory for difference between final and initial weights. These filter papers were used for total bacterial and fungal colony i. e. microbial colony count (c/w/plate). Mean inside cow shed temperature during hottest period of the day i.e at 2.30 pm during different seasons irrespective of farms was 38.92 ± 0.26, 28.76 ± 0.42, 33.27 ± 0.18 and 32.23 ± 0.34 °C whereas outside the cow shed was 42.49 ± 0.40, 29.76 ± 0.47, 37.28 ± 0.39 and 36.76 ± 0.68 °C during hot dry (S1), rainy-wet (S2), hot humid (S3) and mild winter (S4) season, respectively. The mean difference (outside minus inside the cowshed) was 3.57, 0.75, 4.01 and 4.55°C during S1, S2, S3 and S4 season, respectively. Highest and lowest temperatures were recorded during hot dry and rainy wet season, respectively. Less difference (outside minus inside the cowshed) was observed during rainy wet. It may be due to rain and high humidity during this season, however, more difference was recorded during hot dry, hot humid and mild winter seasons. Season conflict was significant, it is bound too be. During hot dry season the inside temperature was lower by 3.57 °C than the outside intense temperature 42.49 °C, however, inside temperature of 38.92°C was also higher and or uncomfortable to cows.ThesisItem Open Access FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF SOME IMPROVED ANIMAL HUSBANDRY PRACTICES OF DAIRYING IN ANAND AND VADODARA DISTRICTS OF GUJARAT STATE(AAU, Anand, 2002) GOUR, ANIL KUMAR; PATEL, ASHOK M.The dairy farming plays a pivotal role in the economy of our country. It helps in augmenting food supply, generating employment and raising nutritional level. The major advantage of dairy farming is its minimum land dependency and resource flexibility. It is a major source of income to major segment to rural betterment in small and marginal farmers, at the same time it is also characterized with risk and uncertainty. It is therefore, use of modem inputs and adoption of new technology of animal husbandry are undoubtedly more important in increasing dairy farm productivity. There is a considerable gap between present animal husbandry practices of the dairy farmers and available scientific animal husbandry development so far. Out of these, which technology are known and adopted by its real users of different classes is a matter of question. Hence, to analyze the existing extent of knowledge and adoption of the dairy farmers, the present study on "FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF SOME IMPROVED ANIMAL HUSBANDRY PRACTICES OF DAIRYING IN ANAND AND VADODARA DISTRICTS OF GUJARAT STATE" was undertaken. OBJECTIVES: 1. To study the profile of dairy farmers of Anand and Vadodara districts of Gujarat. 2. To study the extent of knowledge of dairy farmers regarding improved practices of animal husbandry. 3 To study the extent of adoption of improved practices of animal husbandry by dairy farmers. 4. To find out relationship between extent of knowledge of dairy farmers regarding animal husbandry practices and dairy farmers profile. 5. To find out relationship between extent of adoption of improved animal husbandry practices and profile of dairy farmers. 6. To know the problems faced by dairy farmers in adoption of modem practices of animal husbandry, and 7 To seek suggestions to overcome problems/limitations of dairy farmers in adoption of modem practices of animal husbandry. The present study was conducted in randomly selected sixteen villages of Anand and Vadodara districts. A sample of 172 dairy farmers having milch animals was selected for the study. The data were collected with the help of "interview schedule" by conducting personal interview. For the measurement of independent and dependent variables, appropriate scales developed and adopted by other research workers were used with due modifications. The statistical tools used for the analysis of data were percentage. mean, standard deviation, correlation coefficient, stepwise regression and path analysis. The important findings of the study are summarized as under; 1. Majority of the dairy farmers (76.74 per cent) had middle age, secondary and higher secondary level of education (58.72 per cent), higher caste (61.63 per cent), organizational participation in dairy co-operative society (57.56 per cent), medium level of mass media exposure (43.60 per cent), medium to high level of extension contact (77.33 per cent), marginal, small and medium dairy farmers had less than four ha. of land holding (72.09 per cent) and low to medium level of herd size (67.50 per cent). 2. The average parity of dairy animals of dairy farmers was observed 3.67 ± 0.08 while, the average age at first calving in indigenous cows, crossbred cows and buffaloes was 47 months, 34 months and 46 months, respectively. Whereas average peak milk yield was 9.03 ± 0.39 litres and average annual expenditure for medical treatment was Rs. 254.30 per animal. The average number of earner, dependent and total members of family was 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 respectively. Great majority of dairy farmers (94.77 per cent) were dependent on crop farming, dairying and other occupation, and majority (87.57 per cent) of them had increased their total income upto 10 to 25 per cent due to adoption of dairy farming. 3. Majority of the dairy farmers (69.18 per cent) had medium to high level of economic motivation, medium to high level of scientific orientation (79.07 per cent), medium to high level of planning orientation (62.79 per cent), medium to high level of production orientation (70.93 per cent), high level of market orientation (53.49 per cent), medium to high level of competition orientation (77.91 per cent), medium to high level of supervision on dairy production (74.42 per cent) and low level of orientation towards development of skill in farm workers (55.23 per cent). 4. Majority of the dairy farmers had medium to high level of knowledge (68.60 per cent) and adoption (81.98 per cent) regarding improved animal husbandry practices. 5. Continuous rate of adoption regarding improved animal husbandry practices viz. reproductive practices was observed in between 72.10 to 91.86 per cent, nutritional practices in between 59.88 to 95.93 per cent, managemental practices between 52.91 to 98.84 per cent, disease control practices between 32.56 to 97.09 per cent and marketing practices between 32.56 to 100.00 per cent by dairy farmers. 6. Great majority of the dairy farmers of Anand district had perception of majority of the activities carried out by Amul Dairy. 7. The variables namely extension contact, animal possession, economic motivation, scientific orientation, planning orientation, production orientation, market orientation, management orientation, competition orientation, orientation towards development of skill in farm workers, supervision on dairy production and adoption of animal husbandry practices had positive significant relationship with the knowledge of dairy farmers, while land holding and total number of occupation had negative and significant correlationship with their knowledge regarding animal husbandry practices 8. The variables namely extension contact, animal possession, economic motivation, scientific orientation, planning orientation, production orientation, market orientation, management orientation, competition orientation, orientation towards development of skill in farm workers, supervision on dairy production and knowledge were positively and significantly correlated with adoption, while land holding and total number of occupation were negatively and significantly correlated with their adoption regarding improved practices of animal husbandry. 9. The variables namely management orientation, milk yield, competition orientation, land holding, market orientation, extension contact and total number of milch animals jointly contributed 67.24 per cent of total variation in the knowledge of improved animal husbandry practices of dairying. 10. Four variables viz. knowledge, production orientation, orientation towards development of skill in farm workers and total number of animal together contributed 63.13 per cent of total variation in the adoption of improved animal husbandry practices of dairying. 11. Variables viz. market orientation, planning orientation, production orientation, competition orientation, extension contact, total animal possession, scientific orientation and orientation towards development of skill in farm workers exhibited positive direct effect, whereas management orientation had maximum total indirect effect and substantial indirect effect on knowledge regarding improved animal husbandry practices of dairying. 12. Variables namely managemental practices, nutritional practices, disease control practices, marketing practices, reproductive practices, planning orientation, market orientation, production orientation, orientation towards development of skill in farm workers, competition orientation and economic motivation, exhibited positive direct effect, while knowledge had maximum positive total indirect effect and management practices had highest substantial indirect effect on adoption regarding improved animal husbandry practices of dairying. 13. High cost of byre construction, lack of knowledge of recommended managemental practices, unavailability of reasonable and quality green fodder round the year, unavailability of comfortable and stress-free housing during summer season, lack of knowledge of viability of cattle/buffalo, difficulty to store milk during summer season and timely vaccination against diseases in the animals were the major problems faced by dairy farmers in adoption of improved animal husbandry practices. 14. Arrangement of regular visit of veterinary doctor and extension specialist, cooperative society should have the facility of preservation of vaccines and semen, atleast five members of a dairy co-operative society should be trained to solve the problems of animal husbandry, regular training should be provided to farmers to improve their knowledge for better adoption and loan/subsidy facilities should be made available for construction of cattle shed and purchase of dairy animals were the important suggestions given by the dairy farmers to improve level of adoption of modem practices of animal husbandry.ThesisItem Open Access COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE OF SHADER AND NON-SHADER INDIGENOUS SHEEP UNDER MIDDLE GUJARAT AGRO CLIMATIC CONDITION DURING SUMMER SEASON(AAU, Anand, 2007) SINGH, DEEP NARAYAN; Wadhwani, K. N.The present experiment was conducted to compare the performance of shader and non-shader indigenous sheep under middle Gujarat agro climatic condition during intense summer season in the month of May-June at Instructional farm, Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat. This experiment was conducted on 20 adult female farms bom, unshorn, Marwari and Patanwadi sheep of Instructional farm. Veterinary College, Anand. The experimental animals were randomly divided in to four treatment groups on the basis of body weight each of five animals and housed under covered area viz. T1: Asbestos sheet roofed house, T2: Agro-net, T3: walled open yard under the trees shade and T4 : under open sky (expose to sun). The experimental animals were maintained on ICAR Feeding Standard (1998). The experimental animals at the end of the experiment attained 29.53 ± 0.28, 28.10 ± 0.21, 27.80 ± 0.27 and 27.62 ± 0.19 kg body weights with total gain of 1.65, d.90, 1,64 and 1.14 kg under T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The shader animals grew to the tune of 5.92, 3.30 and 6.26 % under T1, T2, T3, respectively as compared to their initial body weight, where as non-shader sheep (T4) grew to the tune of 4.3 % in relation to their initial body weight. There was no significant mfluence of treatments, period and interaction of T X P on body weight of experimental animals. The experimental animals under T1 (750.25 ± 08.29) and T4 (722.58 ± 09.57) consumed daily dry matter intake (g) at par but had little higher in T2 (754.52 ± 13.67) and T3 (815.02 ± 12.92), differed significantly (P<0.05) from T1, T2 & T3. The animals under tree (T3) consumed 8.6, 8.0 and 12.79 % more dry matter as compared to the animals under T1, T2 and T4. The daily dry matter intake irrespective of treatments during different experimental periods differed significantly (P<0.05). The percent dry matter intake was 2.54 ± 0.04, 2.73 ± 0.04,2.94 ± 0.04 and 2.63 ± 0.04 in T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively differed significantly (P<0.05) with treatment while period and its interaction effect with treatment were non-significant. The dry matter intake (g) per metabolic body weight was 59.24 ± 0.86, 62.48 ± 0.97, 67.29 ± 0.91 and 60.13 ± 0.77 in T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively differed significantly (P<0.05) by the treatments only.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF HERBAL, HOMOEOPATHIC AND ENZYME PREPARATIONS AS GROWTH PROMOTERS AND IMMUNOMODULATORS IN COMMERCIAL BROILERS(AAU, Anand, 2004) VAHORA, MAKBULAHMED RASULBHAI; Khanna, KuldeepThe present experiment was conducted at Poultry Complex, College of Veterinary Sci. and A. H., Anand Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand, to study the effect of supplementation of herbal, homoeopathic drugs and enzymes on the production performance of commercial broilers. Four hundred straight run day-old "Cobb" commercial broiler chicks of homogenous flock were divided into four equal groups. Four different treatments were randomly assigned to four groups (100 chicks per treatment) with five replications each (20 chicks per replicate) viz., T1: Control diet, T2: Control diet, plus Zist®@25 g/100kg, T3: Control diet, plus Homoeopathic drugs in drinking water, T4: Control diet, with Caplix premium® @ 50 g/100kg. In broiler starter and broiler finisher feed, the energy and protein content was kept higher than BIS (1992a,b) feeding standards. The crude protein content of broiler starter was higher by 4.35% and for broiler finisher it was 10% higher whereas, corresponding figures for increased energy content were 8.14% and 7.62% respectively. All experimental feeds were fortified with adequate vitamin and mineral supplements and coccicidal drugs. Birds were reared on deep litter with rice husk as a litter material during the entire experimental period. The average initial body weights of chicks were 39.01 ±0.17, 39.12± 0.45, 38.74±0.34 and 39.11±0.40g respectively and average body weight at 42 days reached to 1718.88±12.68, (T1) 1872.47±18.77.(T2) 1821.76±19.82(T3) and 1865.73±14.39 (T4)g The body weight gain for various treatments T1,T2,T3 and T4 were 1679.87±11.35, 1833.35±19.82, 1783.02±20.06 and 1826.62±13.62g respectively. Body weight and body weight gain were significantly higher (P<0.01) in herbal, homoeopathic drugs and enzymes supplemented groups than the control group. The average total feed consumption (g) from 0-6 weeks for T1, T2, T3 and T4 was 3457.03±37.70, 3388.46±49.34, 3362.43±69.20 and 3345.04±63.94g respectively. The difference was found to be statistically nonsignificant. During metabolic trial, the significantly higher (P<0.05) average daily dry matter intake (g) was observed in T2 (131.14±2.5) over T3 (123.14±2.27) and in T1 (117.71 ±2.36) and T4 (125.74±2.87) over T1. Average daily dry matter intake per metabolic body weight (g/Wkg°'^^) was non-significant; while, average crude protein intake (g) per kg gain in body weight was significantly (P<0.01) higher in T1 (406.93±9.92) as compared to T2 (351.97±5.52), T3 (360.73±7.71) and T4 (344.94±8.43). The overall (0-6 weeks) average feed conversion ratio was 1.94±0.008, 1.75±0.005, 1.78±0.017 and 1.74±0.012 for T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. The FCR was significantly (P<0.01) superior in treatment group T4 followed by T2 and T3 than the control group. The average balance (g/day) of N, Ca and P were positive in all the groups and found to be 2.13±0.03, 1.14±0.01, and 0.45±0.03g for T1; 3.10±0.02, 1.62±0.03 and 0.54±0.04 for T2; 2.60±0.07, 1.34±0.02 and 0.49±0.03 for T3 and 2.92±0.04, 1.53±0.03 and 0.86±0.02 for T4 respectively. Significant differences (P<0.01) in balances of N, Ca and P were observed from the study and were in accordance with growth performance data. The average dressing percentage was 60.09±0.33, 63.67±0.42, 62.87±0.53 and 64.14±0.24 for T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively, which was significantly (P<0.01) higher in T4, T2 and T3 as compared to T1; however, average weights of the organs viz., liver, gizzard, heart and spleen were unaffected. The average percent livability of birds for T1, T2, T3 and T4 was 95, 98, 96 and 97 respectively. The inclusion of herbal (Zist®) and enzyme supplementation (Caplix premium®) in broiler feed and homoeopathic drugs in drinking water gave higher H.l.titre for ND than the control group, however, the differences were found to be non-significant. The average mean H.I. titre at loga value for T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 3.80±0.25, 4.40±0.47, 4.20±0.36 and 3.90±0.27 respectively. The average cost of feeding (Rs.) per kg gain in weight was Rs. 20.58±0.09, 18.74±0.11, 19.94±0.20 and 18.67±0.11 for T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively, which was found significantly (P<0.01) higher in T1 (control) as compared to T2, T3 and T4. However, T2 and T4 were at par with each other. The return over feed cost was significantly higher (P<0.01) for T2 (Rs.43.56), T3 (Rs.40.18) and T4 (Rs.43.52) and as compared to T1 (Rs.36.82). Thus, the inclusion of herbal supplementation (Zist®) in broiler ration was more economical followed by inclusion of enzymes and homoeopathic preparations. The overall results of the study indicated that supplementation of herbal, enzymes and homoeopathic preparations helped in improving the production performance of broilers.