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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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1994 - 19965
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Subject: Poultry Science × Author: KAU × End date: 1996 × Start date: 1994 ×
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Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of production performance in F strain of white Leghorn
    (Department of Poultry Science,College of Veterinary Science, Mannuthy, 1995) Beena, C Joseph; KAU; Peethambaran, P A (Guide)
    A study was carried out with ‘F’ strain of White Leghorn maintained at University Poultry Farm, Mannuthy in order to evaluate the production potential of the particular strain based on the part year performance. At the age of 18 weeks, 400 pullets belonging to four consecutive hatches were taken and housed in 100 multiple-bird cages of identical size at the rate of four hens per cage at random. Feed and water were given ad lib and the managemental practices were uniform for all cages. The production performance as well as meteorological observations were studied for five, 28-day periods from 21 to 40 weeks of age during the period from February through August 1994. Body weight at 20 and 40 weeks of age were recorded individually and the respective mean values were found out to be 944.05+ 8.86 g and 1346.67+ 12.19 g. The first egg in each cage was recorded and the mean age at first egg was 174.67+ 0.95 days. The mean ages at 10 and 50 per cent production in the flock were 178 and 196.5 days respectively. These values indicated very late maturity in the strain. The egg production was recorded as 56.73 eggs with 40.52 per cent on hen-housed basis and 57.09 eggs with 40.79 per cent on hen-day basis. The peak production was obtained at 32 weeks of age. The mean daily feed consumption was worked out as 93.83 g per bird. Feed efficiency worked out in terms of dozen eggs and kilogram egg mass were 2081 and 5.01 respectively. Egg weight at last three days in each period were indivitualy recorded and the overall mean egg weight for 21 to 40 weeks of age was 46.21 g. The total egg mass out put in the flock up to 40 weeks of age was 1044.07 kg with an average output of 2.61 kg per hen housed. Livability was found to be excellent (95.5 per cent ) in the strain. The mean of the maximum and minimum temperature recorded in the experimental house were 32.50 C and 26.120 C respectively. The mean per cent relative humidity was 76.67 in the F.N. and 69.18 in the A.N. On analysis of results, it was found that the body weight, egg production, feed consumption and egg weight are considerably low in this strain. There was poor uniformity in pullet body weight and also in age at sexual maturity. These traits can be improved if independent culling levels are fixed for body weight as well as for minimum rate of pay per bird. This strain can be improved further by applying selection for body weight at 20 weeks of age.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Influence of pullet body weight on production traits in white leghorns
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 1995) Sudheesh Kumar, A S; KAU; Leo Joseph
    A study was carried out at All India Co-ordinated Research Project on poultry for eggs, Mannuthy, to evaluate the influence of pullet body weight on egg production performance in IWN and IWP strains of White Leghorn. The experimental birds consisted of six body weight classes starting from 1000 g with a class interval of 100 g. Body weight at 20 weeks of age was considered as pullet body weight. The observations recorded were body weight at 20 and 40 weeks of age, age at first egg, hen housed number and per cent, egg weight at 32 and 40 weeks of age, livability and egg quality traits. The mean pullet body weight was 1304.7+4 g in IWN strain and 1335.2+3.5 g in IWP strain. Age at sexual maturity lowered as pullet body weight increased. A higher egg number was observed in heavier body weight classes. The peak production was delayed in lower body weight classes. Though egg weight at 32 weeks of age did not vary significantly among classes, higher egg weight at 40 weeks was recorded in heavier classes. Birds which were heavier at 20 weeks of age were also heavier at 40 weeks of age. But the gain in weight was lesser for higher body weight classes. The classes were similar for livability and egg quality parameters. The results revealed that an optimum pullet body weights an important requirement for IWN and IWP strains. Birds with pullet body weight below 1200 g were poor in most of the production traits in both IWN and IWP strains and therefore may be culled. Optimum managemental conditions may be provided during growing period to enable the pullets to attain good pullet body weight.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Cellulase supplementation in high fibre diet on the performance of layer chicken
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Mannuthy, 1996) Ponnuvel, P; KAU; Jalaludeen, A
    The effect of three levels of cellulose enzyme viz., 0.06, 0.12 and 0.18 per cent in high fibre layer rations on production performance and on nutrient availability of egg type chicken was evaluated using one hundred and fifty ‘F’ strain of Single Comb White Leghorn Pullets of 21 week of age for a period of 20 weeks. The birds were divided in to five dietary treatment groups viz., Standared layer ration (T1), high fibre layer ration (T2), high fibre layer ration with 0.06 per cent cellulase (T3) high fibre layer ration with 0.12 per cent cellulase(T4), high fibre layer ration with 0.18 per cent cellulase(T5). Standard layer ration (SLR) was formulated as per BIS (1992) specification for chicken layers. The high fibre layer ration was similar to SLR except the level of crude fibre which was enhanced to 12 per cent. The inclusion level of undecorticated sunflower cake was enhanced in order to obtain the desired level of crude fibre in the high fibre layer ration. The mean daily feed intake per bird was significantly (p<0.01) higher in birds fed high fibre diet with out enzyme and was different from all other groups. A numerical improvement in per cent hen-day and hen-housed egg production was noticed among enzyme supplemented groups. However, the increase was not statistically significant. Numerically superior feed efficiency was observed with all the enzyme supplemented groups when compared with standard layer diet as well as high fibre diet without enzyme. However, the differences among various treatments in feed per dozen eggs were not statistically significant. The gain in body weight of birds fed on high fibre diet with 0.12 per cent cellulase was significantly (p<0.05) higher than unsupplemented high fibre diet. Body weight gain was statistically comparable among birds fed on high fibre diet supplemented with different levels of cellulase and those fed with SLR. Cellulase supplementation did not have any significant influence on mean egg weight. Cellulase addition did not improve the dry matter digestibility. The apparent metabolisable energy (AME) values were significantly (P<0.01) higher in birds fed with high fibre diet supplemented with 0.12 and 0.18 per cent cellulase than unsupplemented high fibre control. The AME values of standard and enzyme fed groups were statistically comparable. Cellulase supplementation significantly (p<0.01) improved the apparent protein digestibility and ether extract digestibility when compared with high fibre control. Though numerical increase in the digestibility of fibre fractions viz., ADF and NDF was observed due to cellulase supplementation, differences were not significant among treatments, supplementation of cellulase enzyme significantly (P<0.01) reduced the moisture content of droppings when compared with unsupplemented high fibre diet. The viscosity of intestinal contents was significantly lower (p<0.01) in birds fed with high fibre diet supplemented with varying levels of cellulase. Cost of production of eggs was lower in all enzymes supplemented groups when compared with standard layer diet and high fibre diet without enzyme addition. Based on the above findings, it can be concluded that cellulase supplementation in high fibre later ration is beneficial especially when fibrous agricultural by-products are used as alternate feed ingredients in the chicken diet.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Egg weight profile in three strains of white leghorns
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Mannuthy, 1996) Prabhakaran, K B; KAU; Jalaludeen, A
    An experiment was conducted to study the egg weight profile in three strains of White Leghorn viz., IWN, IWP and control population (CP) maintained at the All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Poultry improvement, Mannuthy Centre. One hundred pullets from each strain chosen at random at 18 weeks of age were used for the study. The body weight at 20 and 40 weeks of age, average age at first egg, per cent hen housed production, weekly egg weight, 28-day period-wise egg weight, weight of first egg, magnitude of variation in egg weight, per cent variation in egg weight, distribution of eggs under different weight classes and correlation of egg weight with body weight and production were studied from 19 to 52 weeks of age. The mean body weight at 20 weeks of age was 1.339, 1.421 and 1.229 kg in IWN, IWP and CP respectively. The corresponding values at 40 weeks of age for the above strains were 1.539, 1.546 and 1.445 kg respectively. The results indicated a statistically significant difference between three strains at both the periods. Mean age at first egg was 149.53, 136.41 and 153.85 days in IWN, IWP and CP respectively. The overall mean hen housed egg production from 19 to 52 weeks of age was 65.48, 60.50 and 64.42 per cent for the above strains respectively which were statistically comparable. The overall mean egg weight from 19 to 52 weeks of age was 49.02, 48.14 and 45.10 g respectively for the strain IWN, IWP and CP. The difference in egg weight between weeks within each strain was statistically significant. Statistical analysis of period-wise mean egg weight showed a significant difference between strains. It was significantly higher in IWN strain, lower in control population and medium in IWP strain. The weights of first ranged from 29.8 to 57.1 g in IWN strain, 29.8 to 63.2 g in IWP strain and 29.7 to 51.0 g in CP. The net gain in egg weight from 20 to 52 weeks was 20.5, 15.33 and 18.8 g for strain IWN, IWP and CP respectively. Per cent variation in weekly mean egg weight was higher in the initial period in all the strains. As compared with CP pullets, the IWN and IWP strains laid heavier eggs from 19 to 52 weeks of age. Per cent marketable eggs were higher in IWN strain, lower in control population and medium with IWP strain. Correlation between egg weight and bodyweight indicated that 20 and 40 week body weight had significant correlation with 40 week egg weight in IWN and CP strain. Weekly egg weights were significantly correlated from 28 to 52 weeks in IWN and CP while from 24 to 36 weeks in IWP strain. Twenty four week egg weight with 24 to 52 week egg number had significant correlation in IWN and CP strain but in IWP, the values were negative. Considering the overall egg weight profile in the above strains, the ideal period for the measurement of egg weight for selection purpose in IWN strain was found to be 29 to 30 weeks of age and 28 weeks of age in IWP strain.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Quality evaluation of quail meat patties under storage
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Mannuthy, 1994) Kamna Barkataki; KAU; Narayanankutty K
    A study was conducted to examine the feasibility of formulation of quail meat patties from deboned minced meat of Japanese quails and to evaluate it shelf-life. The ready-to-cook yield, total loss and meat to bone ratuio averaged 69.11+ 0.45, 30.80 + 0.45 and 2.04 + 0.03 per cent respectively for quails (25 weeks of age) used for the study. The quail meat patties prepared as per the recipe was kept at 50 C for six days and at -150 C upto 60 days. Representative samples were analysed qualitatively and evaluated organoleptically by a taste panel on zero, four and six days under refrigeration (50 C) and zero, 15,30,45 and 60 days of storage under frozen condition (-150 C). It was found that irrespective of different temperatures and duration of storage the proximate components viz., moisture, protein, fat and total ash of the product remained unaltered. The thiobarbituric acid (TBA) number remained unaffected at 50 C irrespective of different days of storage. At -150 C the TBA number increased as the storage period increased. The total bacterial count increased at 50 C and decreased significantly (p<0.01) at -150 C with increase in the duration of storage. The quail meat patties prepared as per the recipe was found to be well acceptable organoleptically. It was observed that 12 quail meat patties could be made from each kg of deboned minced quail meat patty weighing 100 g was found to be Rs. 7.84. From the above findings it was concluded that a highly acceptable, nutritious, ready-to-cook quail meat product could be prepared from deboned minced quail meat. Under refrigeration (50 C) and frozen (-150 C) conditions the product could be stored upto six and 60 days respectively without any quality deterioration or consumer acceptance of the product.