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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively. Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively. On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs. In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.

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1976 - 1979121980 - 19868
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Subject: Poultry Science × Author: KAU × End date: 1987 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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Now showing 1 - 9 of 20
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on Capon Production
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Mannuthy, 1986) Jyotirmoy, Chakraborty; KAU; Sabarinathan Nair, R
    The thesis incorporates the results of a feasibility study on economic utilization of Austra-White and White Leghorn surplus cockerels for capon production in the existing Indian conditions. Production performances of surgically caponized Austra-White and White Leghorn males were compared with their respective intacts at three stages, namely, 20th 24th and 28th week of age. A total number of 192 cockerels were involved in the study. Each treatment group comprised 12 birds and replicated four times. Caponization was carried out at 8 weeks of age. The production straits evaluated were body weight gain, feed efficiency, processing losses and yield, percentage ‘slips’, taste panel evaluation, proximate composition of meat and economics of production. Recordings of thermal data, weekly body weight and weekly feed consumption were made. At the 20th 24th and 28th weeks 16 birds randomly selected from each group were subjected to slaughter studies. The results indicated significantly (p<0.05) higher body weight gain for the capons over intact controls at 20 weeks. Austra-White capons were significantly (p<0.05) higher gain at the 24th week but White Leghorn capons did not differ significantly from their intacts at this stage. Capons and intacts did not differ significantly at 28 weeks of age. Feed efficiency was significantly (p<0.05) better for capons during all the periods under tests. The capon registered significantly (p<0.05) higher dressing loss than intacts whereas intacts registered significantly (p<0.05) higher loss due to head and shanks. Ready to cook yield did not differ significantly between treatments. Capons registered increased percentages of moisture, protein and other extract. Five per cent of capons were registered as ‘slips’. Austra-White capon meat top scored in tenderness, juiciness, and personal preference. Economic evaluation registered profitable returns for capons at 20th week, based on culled/spent hen meat value at university farm rates. Significantly higher returns were indicated when economic evaluations were made on market rates. From the results of the study it was concluded that Austra-White surplus cockerels can be effectively utilized for capon production and White Leghorn cockerels form small sized capons. Capons production can be an economic practical feasibility in Indian conditions and also capon meat is preferred over roaster meat. Surgical caponization can be effectively employed as a routine managemental procedure for economic utilization of surplus cockerels. It was also indicated that the optimum economic stage for marketing capons is 20 weeks of age.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of productive performance of desi ducks reared in vconfinment
    (Department of Poultry Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) Andrews, C V; KAU; Venugopalan, C K
    This thesis embodies the results of an evaluation of the productive performance of Desi ducks reared in confinement. One hundred ducks of 135 days old were reared in two groups of 50 each under intensive and semi intensive system of management. The results revealed that the ducks reared under intensive system returned better hen-day egg production and also consumed less feed than those under semi intensive system. The efficiency of feed conversion did not differ, between treatments. The pattern of the body weight maintenance was similar in both the systems and the survival rates were excellent in both systems. The two systems of rearing did not appear to exert any influence on the egg size or egg quality in terms of albumen, yolk and shell percentages. Fertility and hatchability of eggs were better in the semi intensive system. It was concluded from the above results that the intensive system of rearing Desi ducks may be adopted for table egg production while for breeding purposes, semi intensive system may be better choice.
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    ThesisItemRestricted
    Studies on certain economic traits in desi ducks
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Thrissur, 1977) Renchi P, George; KAU; Unni, A K K
    This thesis embodies the results of an investigation carried out to study the incubation, growth and processing characteristics of desi ducks (Anas platyrhyncos). Duck eggs procured from a local farmer were used in this study. Sound eggs were weighed and their shape indices were calculated based on the measurements of length and width of individual eggs. The eggs were grouped in to four shape index ranges and were incubated in chicken incubator. The hatch records were obtained. The dead in shells and dead germs were subjected to bacteriological and pathological studies. The ducklings hatched were reared on two systems of management viz., battery and litter floor upto seventh week of age when they were transferred to semi intensive system upto twelve weeks of age. Thirty randomly selected male ducklings were subjected to slaughter studies at twelve weeks age. The desi duck egg showed a mean weight of 68.86 g with a range of 55 to 85 g. The study reveals that the shape index has no influence on fertility, hatchability or weight of duckling at hatch. Egg weight was found to be significantly correlated with the hatch weight of ducklings. It was observed that the fertility of eggs was fairly good even with a male femal ratio of 1: 25. The incubation data suggested that duck eggs could be efficiently hatched in incubators meant for chicken with suitable measures to provide higher humidity. Weekly body weight, feed and water consumption data for desi ducklings are placed on records. The male ducklings recorded better body weights over the females during all ages confirming the normal sexual dimorphism. The special problems, encountered in the processing of desi ducks are discussed and data on yields and losses during dressing are presented.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Keeping Quality of Shell Eggs During Summer
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science,Mannuthy, 1981) Radhakrishnan Nair, R; KAU; Venugopalan, C K
    A study was conducted to asses the keeping quality of shell eggs during summer months of March, April and May. Quality deterioration on 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th and 15th days of storage of eggs held at room temperature was measured. Simulteniuosly lime treated eggs at room temperature and eggs held in cooler at 10 to 130 C were also evaluated similarly. A total of 432 tables eggs were used for the study, 144 eggs under each treatment. The traits measured for quality assessment were weight loss, albumen index, yolk index, haugh unit score, per cent thick albumen and albumen pH. Following observations were made from the study: 1. The average temperature and humidity during the three months of study did not vary greatly and were 310 C and 61.3 per cent relative humidity respectively. 2. Irrespective of the mode of storage deterioration in quality with respect to all the traits increased with the increase in the period of storage. 3. Based on Haugh unit score it was observed that eggs stored at room temperature without any treatment maintained reasonable quality only upto 10 days while those stored under both the treatments were reasonably good even on the 15th day of storage. 4. At all stages of storage upto 15 days eggs held at room temperature without any treatment were decidedly inferior to those stored in cooler or after lime treatment with regard to all quality factors. 5. Both lime treatment and holding in cooler were found equally effective in maintaining egg quality upto 15 days of storage. The following conclusions are drawn based on the results of the study. I. It is not advisable to keep shell eggs at room temperature in summer for more than ten days before consumption. II. Eggs can be stored safely for 15 days without loosing market quality greatly if preserved after lime treatment or in cooler at 10 to 130 C. III. Even though both the methods of preservation employed in the study was found to be more or less equally effective, lime sealing appeared a simple economic and suitable technique of preservation for small scale producers.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Performance of certain purebreds and crossbreds for broiler traits
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Leo, Joseph; KAU; Ramakrishnan, A
    An experiment was conducted to compare Australorps, (ALP), Rhode Island Red (RIR) and White Plymouth Rock (WPR) breeds of chicken and their crosses for broiler production. All the nine possible combinations of these breeds were taken, the genetic groups being three purebred and crossbreds. There were twenty chicks for each group and a total of 180 chicks. They were raised upto twelve weeks of age on deep better identical conditions of management. Body weight was recorded at ten and twelve weeks of age. Feed efficiency and genetic effects – General combining ability, Specific combining ability and Reciprocal effects on body weight-were also calculated at ten weeks of age. Slaughter studies were conducted at ten and twelve weeks of age.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Economics of raising white leghorn male chicks for meat
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Maria, Liza Mathew; KAU; Venugopalan, C K
    With a view to determine the economics of raising White Leghorn male chicks for meat, the present study was undertaken. Two hundred one-day old White Leghorn chicks were divided randomly in to four groups of fifty chicks each to form two treatments with two replicates. Chick starter, grower: and broiler starter, finisher diets were fed.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of certain feed additives on boiler performance
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1976) Sabarinathan, Nair R; KAU; Ramakrishnan, A
    This thesis incorporates the findings of an investigation carried out to study the effect of terramycin, neftin furazolidone and arsenic acid on certain broiler traits of economic importance.Commercial broiler chicks were employed for the study, and were raised on litter floor. The chicks were fed broiler starter from 0-6 weeks and broiler finisher from 7-8weeks. The additives were incorporated at levels recommended by the manufactures and the duration of the study was for 8 weeks
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Comparative study on the production characteristics of white leghorns in cages and on litter
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) Balachandran, T N; KAU; Kochugovindan, Unni A K
    This thesis embodies the results of an investigation carried out to study the productive traits of White Leghorn hens under the two housing systems. Single comb White Leghorn pullets formed the experimental subjects and the systems of housing employed were cage and deep litter management. The results revealed that rearing birds in cages significantly improved per cent hen-day production, body weight and feed efficiency. Feed consumption was more in floor reared birds. Birds in the two treatments maintained normal body weight, throughout the experimental period. The albumen and yolk quality showed no change attributable to treatments, but shell weight showed significant increase in the eggs from caged birds than the floor. There was no significant difference in livability. It was concluded that the cage system of management of layers could be employed as a means for better returns.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Survey on the status of duck farming in Kerala state
    (Department of Poultry Science,College of Veterinary Science, Mannuthy, 1983) Ravindran, T K; KAU; Venugopalan, C K
    The results of a survey to assess the status of duck farming in Kerala is reported in this thesis. The economic background of duck farmers in the state was not generally found enough to support their families. Educationally, majority of them had only primary education. Unlike chicken, flocks of ducks consisting of 350-400 are taken from place to place in search of post-harvested paddy fields for browsing . Three members are necessary to mange one flock. Duck rearing is mainly concentrated in Kuttanad area of Alleppy and Kottayam district were the conditions are congenial for brooding and rearing of ducklings. Specialization in the production of day-old duckling is a feature of Kuttanad duck industry. Large number of broody hens are the only natural incubators for the duck eggs and the percentage of hatchability obtained by farmers is 80-85. Artificial incubation and day-old sexing are not at all practiced. Cooked rice mixed with fresh coconut gratings formed the opening meal for the ducklings. Mortality during the rearing period is only five per cent. Ducklings are allowed to swim from seventh day onwards and they are taken to the open paddy fields for foraging after one month. The average egg production reported by the farmers for the desi ducks is 130-140 eggs per duck per year and flock of ducks is used for laying upto the age of three years. Mortality among adult ducks is very rare. The marketing of duck eggs is now fully under the control of private commission agents, who act as financiers to the duck farmers as well.