Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad

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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 S
A 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.
Open Access
STANDARDISATION OF FINISHER RATION FOR GRAMASREE COCKERELS FOR MEAT PURPOSE
(Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences Mannuthy, Thrissur, 2019-09-30) SHINDE VAIBHAV JYOTIRAM; P. Anitha
An experiment was carried out to standardise the finisher ration for Gramasree cockerels for meat purpose. Three hundred and thirty-six, Gramasree male birds of six weeks age were procured from University Poultry and Duck Farm, Mannuthy and allotted to six dietary treatments having four replicates of 14 birds each and the experiment was conducted from seven to fourteen weeks of age.The six dietary treatment comprised of two levels of metabolizable energy and three levels of crude protein in a factorial design. The dietary treatment T1, T2 and T3 were 20:3000, 19:3000 and 18:3000, respectively and T4, T5 and T6 were 20:3200, 19:3200 and 18:3200, respectively. The growth parameters were studied from seven to fourteen weeks of age and slaughter studies were carried out at the end of 10 th , 12 th and 14 th weeks of age using two birds from each replicate.The results revealed that the mean body weight at fortnightly intervals was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T1 and T2 group at 14 weeks of age. The difference in mean cumulative body weight gain was not significant at different periods among the treatments. The effect of energy on cumulative body weight gain was significant at seven to ten and seven to twelve weeks period but effect of protein and their interaction did not influence the cumulative body weight gain.The mean cumulative feed consumption of birds was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T3 group during seven to ten weeks period while it was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T1, T2 and T3 group during seven to twelve weeks period. The individual effect of energy showed significantly (p<0.05) higher feed consumption in birds fed with diet containing 3000 kcal/kg ME compared to 3200 kcal/kg ME at seven to twelve and seven to fourteen weeks period. The effect of protein on cumulative feed consumption showed that it was significantly (p<0.05) higher in 18 per cent CP group than 20 per cent CP group. The effect of energy and protein on mean cumulative FCR was significant (p<0.05), but not their interactions. The effect of energy, protein and their interaction on eviscerated yield and ready-to- cook yields was significant at 10, 12 and 14 weeks of age. Effect of energy on abdominal fat per cent was significant at 12 and 14 weeks of age, but the effect of protein and interaction was not significant.The mean cumulative livability from seven to fourteen weeks ranged from 98.93 to 100 per cent among treatment groups. With respect to economics of cockerel rearing up to 10, 12 and 14 weeks period, the highest net profit per kilogram live weight was obtained with T1 (20% CP with 3000 kcal/kg ME) and T2 (19% CP with 3000 kcal/kg ME) groups compared to other treatments groups. Among the three periods cockerel rearing was found to be more profitable up to 10 weeks of age, thereafter profit was reduced due to the decline in body weight gain and poor FCR. Based on the overall performance of cockerels and the findings on the economical parameters assessed, it could be concluded that finisher diet with 19 per cent CP and 3000 kcal/kg ME is found to be optimum for Gramasree cockerel rearing for meat purpose. This study also reveals that the age of introduction of finisher ration may be fixed at eight weeks instead of six weeks for rearing Gramasree cockerels for meat purpose. If consumer preference is for birds with higher body weight at slaughter, then rearing of Gramasree cockerels can be extended further.
Open Access
EFFICACY OF CITRIC ACID, NON STARCH POLYSACCHARIDE DEGRADING ENZYMES AND THEIR COMBINATION AS ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTIC GROWTH PROMOTER IN BROILER DIET
(College of Veterinary and animal Science,Mannuthy, 2019) HARSHA Y.S.; P. Anitha
An experiment was conducted in Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy to study efficacy of citric acid, non starch polysaccharide degrading enzymes (NSPDE) and their combination as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoter in broiler diet from zero to six weeks of age. One hundred and sixty, day-old chicks were randomly divided into five dietary treatment groups viz., T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 each with four replicates having eight chicks, in a completely randomized design. The birds in T1 (control) group was fed with standard broiler ration (SBR) formulated as per BIS (2007). Standard broiler ration supplemented with 10 per cent oxytetracycline (0.5 g/kg) was fed to birds in T2, SBR supplemented with citric acid (10 g/kg) in T3, SBR supplemented with NSPDE (0.1 g/kg) in T4 and SBR supplemented with combination of citric acid and NSPDE for birds in T5. The results of the study showed that the mean body weight of birds at weekly intervals and the cumulative body weight (0-6 weeks) was not significantly different between treatments. Mean daily feed consumption of birds (0-6 weeks) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in antibiotic group (T2) and other treatment groups was statistically comparable with control group. Overall, mean feed conversion ratio from zero to six weeks was not significantly affected by dietary treatments. The data on slaughter studies of birds did not show any significant difference among the five dietary treatments. The significantly (p<0.01) less Escherichia coli count and coliform count in intestinal content of broilers was found in all treatment groups compared to control group. The mean Enterococcus faecalis count was significantly (p<0.01) lower in antibiotic (T2), citric acid (T3) and enzyme group (T4) than control (T1) and citric acid plus enzyme (T5) group. The birds in T5 had significantly (p<0.01) higher ileal villi height followed by those in T4, T1 and T3 and significantly lower villi height was obtained in the T2 treatment group. The mean crypt width of ileum in T2, T3 and T4 were having significantly (p<0.05) higher value than the combination and control groups. Goblet cell count was lower in all growth promoter supplemented groups compared to control. The mean pH value of small intestinal content of broiler was significantly (p<0.01) lower in growth promoter supplemented groups compared to control group. The cumulative per cent livability of T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 was 93.75, 96.88, 100, 100 and 90.63, respectively. The net profit per kg body weight at six week of age was Rs. 12.36, 8.66, 14.10, 14.65 and 12.28 for the treatment groups T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. The present findings, indicated that supplementation of antibiotic, citric acid, NSP degrading enzyme and the combination of citric acid and NSP degrading enzymes did not significantly influence the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers. However, the parameters related to gut health such as ileal histomorphology, microbial count and pH of ileal content were significantly (P<0.01) better in all the growth promoter supplemented groups than control. Highest net profit per kg body weight was obtained in NSP degrading enzyme supplemented group. Based on the overall results of this study, it can be concluded that NSP degrading enzymes (xylanase + glucanase) at 0.1 g/kg can be effectively used as growth promoter for broiler diets with complete elimination of antibiotic usage in feed.
Open Access
INFLUENCE OF FISH OIL ON PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF EGGS IN ATHULYA AND NATIVE CHICKEN
(College of Veterinary and animal Science,Mannuthy, 2019) ARSHA V. S.; Binoj Chacko
An experiment was conducted in Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy to evaluate the influence of fish oil on production performance and fatty acid profile of eggs in Athulya and native chicken. Two breeds of hen (sixty Athulya and native each) with three dietary treatments were tested in a randomized block design. The dietary treatments included 0, 1.5 and 3.0 per cent sardine fish oil and were replicated four times of five birds each. The trial lasted for three periods of 28 days and commenced on 29 weeks of age. The overall feed consumption per bird per day, hen day and hen housed egg production per cent was not affected in Athulya hen whereas a negative impact was noticed in native hen in relation with dietary fish oil level. Egg weight, body weight and overall body weight gain of birds were not influenced by dietary fish oil level. However, the breed effect was significant (p<0.01) for the above production traits. Feed efficiency, livability per cent and egg quality parameters such as albumen index, Haugh unit, yolk index, shell thickness, specific gravity, shell weight, yolk weight and albumen weight were similar among dietary treatment groups whereas breed effect was significant (p<0.05) for egg quality traits except yolk index and specific gravity. Omega-3 fatty acid contents in the egg yolk increased markedly in accordance with the fish oil level. Diets with 1.5 and 3 per cent fish oil increased content of docosahexaenoic acid by four and five fold compared to control eggs in Athulya and native hen, respectively after four weeks of trial. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 ratio was 6 and 8 times lower with 3 per cent fish oil diet in Athulya and native hens, respectively than in the control. Significantly (p<0.05) lower scores were found for hard boiled eggs from fish oil added diet for fishy taste and aftertaste but, not for scrambled and raw egg and it was moderately acceptable (score>6). TBARS numbers of egg yolk stored under room and refrigeration temperature increased significantly (p<0.01) in response to dietary fish oil level. The cost of production of egg in native hen is higher compared to Athulya hen due to lower egg production in native hen. Egg production in Athulya hen was at optimum in 1.5 and 3.0 per cent dietary fish oil level whereas in native hen egg production reduced in 1.5 and 3.0 per cent dietary fish oil level. Omega-3 fatty acid enrichment in egg was highest in 3.0 per cent dietary fish oil level both in Athulya and native hen. The native hen eggs showed higher levels of omega-3 fatty acid compared to Athulya hens eggs