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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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20032
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Subject: Poultry Science × Author: KAU × End date: 2003 × Start date: 2003 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of probiotic supplementation on the performance of white pekin ducks
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Shibi Thomas, K; KAU; Jalaludeen, A
    One hundred and forty-four straight run day-old broiler ducklings, randomly divided into three treatment groups of four replicates with 12 ducklings each were used to study the effect of probiotic 'Livesac' (Lactic acid bacilli, live yeast cells and traces of enzymes) supplementation on the performance of Vigova variety of White Pekin ducks for a period of eight weeks. Standard broiler rations formulated as per BIS specifications (1992) were used as duck starter and finisher rations. Ducklings in T: were fed with control ration, T2 control + 0.025 per cent probiotic and T3 control + 0.05 per cent probiotic. Similar managemental practices were followed for all treatments. The 0.05 per cent probiotic supplemented group recorded a significantly higher body weight from second fortnight and followed a similar pattern till the end of the experiment. The fortnightly body weight gains were significantly higher (P<0.05) in 0.05 per cent probiotic supplemented group during the second and fourth fortnights, while the cumulative body weight gain showed a significantly higher (PThe weekly feed consumption was statistically significant (P. was higher in 0.05 per cent probiotic supplemented group during third, fourth and C< fifth weeks. The cumulative feed consumption upto six and eight weeks also showed similar trend. The cumulative feed conversion ratio was statistically significant (Pper cent supplemented group upto six and eight weeks of age. The serum cholesterol level was not affected by probiotic supplementation. The serum protein level was significantly higher (Psupplemented group. The processing yields were not significantly influenced by probiotics. Livability percentage between treatments was not affected by probiotics. The total feed cost per kg body weight was lower in the 0.05 per cent probiotic supplemented group upto six and eight weeks of age. Thus it can be concluded that probiotic supplementation at 0.05 per cent level was beneficial in the overall production performance of White Pekin ducks.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Performance of crossbred colour line and austra-white chicken for layer traits
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Sasikumar, P; KAU; Leo Joseph
    An experiment was conducted at Kerala Agricultural University Poultry Farm, Mannuthy, to evaluate and compare the production traits of Austra- White and Colourline under farm conditions. One hundred pullets of each crossbred were housed in identical pens (ten birds each) and production performance was evaluated for five periods (each 28 days) from 21 to 40 weeks of age. Standard feeding and managemental practices were followed throughout the study. The Colourline birds were heavier than Austra- White at 20 and 40 weeks of age. The mean body weight for Colourline and Austra-White was 1493.65 ± 14.02 g vs. 1215.60 ± 20.61 g and 1863.15 ± 13.46 vs. 1424.40 ± 28.01 at 20 and 40 weeks of age, respectively. The age at first egg was similar in Austra- White (158.9 ± 2.26 days) and Colourline (158.9 ± 1.96 days). The age at 50 per cent production was 177.7 ± 1.37 days in Austra-White and 175.1 ± 1.28 days in Colourline. The overall mean hen housed number up to 40 weeks of age was 74.31 in Austra- White and 77 .59 in Colourline. The hen day production was 74.88 in Austra-White and 77.71 in Colourline. The overall mean egg weight was 47.12 ± 1.05 gin Austra-White and 44.76 ± 1.29 gin Colourline The mean daily feed consumption from 21 to 40 weeks of age was 104.07 ± 4.16 g in Austra-White and 106.46 ± 4.37 g in Colourline. The feed conversion ~ ratio was 2.07 ± 0.18 (per dozen eggs) in Austra- White and 1.98 ± 0.18 (per dozen eggs) in Colourline, 3.59 ± 0.33 (per kg egg mass) in Austra-White and 3.59 ± 0.35 (per kg egg mass) in Colourline. The shape index was 76.25 ± 0.37 in Austra-White and 77.67 ± 0.33 in Colourline. The albumen index was 0.1080 ± 0.004 in Austra-White and 0.1142 ± 0.002 in Colourline. The yolk index was 0.4257 ± 0.007 in Austra-White and 0.4439 ± 0.007 in Colourline. The shell thickness was 0.3889 ± 0.117 mm in Austra-White and 0.3638 ± 0.006 mm in Colourline. The Haugh Unit score was 88.06 ± 1.39 in Austra- White and 90.52 ± 0.91 in Colourline. Austra- White had uniform plumage pattern with black spots on a dull white background on all parts of the body and ColourIine were multicoloured with various feather patterns. Egg shell was tinted in Austra- White while Colourline eggs were brown. The livability was 97 per cent in Austra- White and 99 per cent in Colourline. The cost of feed consumed per egg was 181 paise in Austra- White and 176 paise in Colourline. The results indicated that the Colourline might be utilised for rearing in backyard.