Browsing by Author "Kannan, A"

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Efficay of probiotic and ascorbic acid in alleviating summer stress in growing broiler rabbits
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2010) Smitha, S; Kannan, A
The research work was conducted to study the efficacy of probiotic (Lactobacillus casei) and ascorbic acid in alleviating summer stress in growing broiler rabbits. The study was done in the summer season from March to May. The growth performance of rabbits in summer, their physiological response to stress and the cost effectiveness of supplementing probiotic, Lactobacillus casei and ascorbic acid were studied. Twenty four weaned New Zealand White rabbits were randomly selected from Rabbit unit at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara were utilized for the study. They were divided into four groups of six animals each. The treatments were as follows: Treatment I (T1) - Ascorbic acid (Merck) at the rate of 200 mg per kg feed was given along with the basal diet, Treatment - 2 (T2) - Probiotic, Lactobacillus casei (Unique Biotech) containing 106 colony forming units per gram of feed was given along with the basal diet, Treatment - 3(T3) - Probiotic and Ascorbic acid at the same rate as in T2 and T3 were given along with the basal diet and Treatment - 4 (T4) - Rabbits fed with basal diet alone. The various climatic parameters studied were maximum and minimum temperature and relative humidity (morning and afternoon) in macro climate and maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity (morning and afternoon), dry bulb temperature (morning and afternoon) and relative humidity (morning and afternoon) in micro climate. The production parameters recorded were weekly body weight, daily feed intake, average daily weight gain and feed efficiency. The physiological parameters studied were weekly respiration rate, weekly rectal temperature and monthly cortisol (faecal and serum) values (twice a month for three months). Disease incidence and mortality during the period was recorded. Cost effectiveness of supplementing probiotic and ascorbic acid was determined. The mean monthly temperature humidity index values suggested that animals were under moderate heat stress in the first (28.45±0.16) and the second month (28.50±0.22), while no stress prevailed in the third month (26.83±0.21). By one way Analysis of variance it was found that supplementation of probiotic, Lactobacillus casei and ascorbic acid had a significant effect in alleviating summer stress in rabbits. The animals in the T1 group showed significantly (P<0.05) higher overall mean daily body weight gain, overall mean feed efficiency and significantly (P<0.05) lower overall mean respiration rate and faecal cortisol level compared to T4 animals. The rabbits in T2 treatment showed significantly higher (P<0.05) final body weight, overall mean daily body weight gain, overall mean feed efficiency and significantly (P<0.05) lower overall mean respiration rate compared to T4. The rabbits in the T3 group showed significantly higher (P<0.05) final body weight, overall mean daily body weight gain, overall mean feed efficiency and significantly (P<0.05) lower overall mean faecal cortisol level compared to T4. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the treatments in mean feed intake, rectal temperature and serum cortisol. No disease incidence or mortality was observed during the experimental period. Supplementation of probiotic and ascorbic acid was found to be efficient in reducing the production economics. Hence it was concluded that supplementation of probiotic, Lactobacillus casei at the rate of 106 cfu per g of feed and ascorbic acid at the rate of 200 mg per kg feed in combination was found to be most effective and economic in alleviating summer stress in growing broiler rabbits.
Evaluation and improvement of integrated pig farming systems in Kerala
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Kannan, A; Francis Xavior
The Evaluation of existing pig farming systems of Kerala and the productivity and economic viability of integrated pig-crop/vegetable-fish farming system were studied. A total of 200 pig farmers from five different agroclimatic zones were selected and surveyed using a questionnaire and personal interview. The socio-economic and educational levels of pig farmers and the management practices adapted were analysed. The problems and constraints in pig production were also evaluated. The pig farmers in Kerala belonged to the age group of 31 to 50 years with average monthly income between Rs.4001 to 6000. Christians followed by Hindus but no Muslim took up pig farming. The other agricultural cultivations were coconut, banana, vegetables and arecanut cultivation with the subsidiary animal husbandry activity of cattle rearing and fish farming in costal areas. The rationale behind rearing of pigs was as a source of additional income and majority of the pig farmers had nine to 12 years of experience. Exotic crosses were chiefly preferred to the Desi crosses. Drove was obtained equally from both the government and private farms. A high percentage of pig farmers had herd strength of more than 50 animals with a litter size at birth of nine to 12 and litter size at weaning of seven to nine. Farmers maintained the stock for both fattening and breeding and batch system of fattening was favoured. Swill feeding was the major feeding method and the common feeding frequency was twice daily. The distance between the farm premises and the source of swill ranged from six to10 km and three wheelers were the chief mode of swill transportation. The animals were kept commonly under permanent houses with concrete floor and fully covered thatched roof. The most preferred disposal method was based on live weight. The chief manpower was from family labour. Digestive disorder and ‘Mastitis Metritis Agalactia’ (MMA) were the major problem in adult pigs. The breeding management was the prime concern regarding training need and finance was the main constraint. The farmers were in lack of awareness for vaccination and control of ectoparasites. The farmers have adopted integrated farming in all the agroclimatic zones and showed interest on biogas production, expansion of farm and management through cooperative societies assistance. Twelve progressive farmers of each from Kaiparambu and Kuzhoor Panchayat, Thrissur district of Kerala were supplied with eight Large White Yorkshire grower pigs which were reared under different combination as Pig farming alone as a control group (T1), Pig rearing and Crop/vegetables cultivation (T2) and Broiler chicken, Pig and Fish farming along with crop/vegetables cultivation (T3). The experimental animals in all the three groups were raised on swill and feeding the waste generated by the other components. The other components of integration were a) crop (banana)/ vegetables (Amaranthus, Brinjal, Bindi and Chilli), b) fish (Indian catfish and Assam Vazha) and c) Broiler chicken (Vencob). The parameters like body weight, average monthly and daily weight gains, average daily feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, linear body measurements and carcass traits of pigs on swill feed showed no significant difference and all the combinations of integration were equally effective with respect to all the above parameters. The chicken waste had higher CP content. The average yield and Biomass production of crop/ vegetables, and total yield and average body weight of broiler in different treatments were not statistically significant. However, different varieties of fish within the treatments showed significant difference in their yield and mean body weight. In integrated farming, the net income (Rs) for pigs without integration (10527 .38) was significantly lower than pigs with banana crop (16715.88), pigs with vegetables (12306.38), pigs with banana, fish and chicken (31476.87) and pigs with vegetables, fish and broiler chicken (27129.88). The combination of pig with banana crop had relatively higher return than pig without integration; pig with vegetable; pig with banana crop, fish and broiler chicken and pig with vegetables, fish and broiler chicken and hence the combination of pig and banana is recommended for the marginal farmers of Kerala.
Evolving low cost ration for commercial broiler rabbit production
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2006) Biya Ann Joseph; Kannan, A
Influence of age and weight of gilt on breeding performance and feed intake during gestation and suckling period
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Kannan, A; Kurien, Thomas
An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of age and body weight of gilt on the breeding performance and feed intake during gestation and suckling period and to recommend an optimum age and body weight for breeding. Forty eight weaned female Piglings were randomly assigned into eight (A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H) groups each consisting of six. Pigs in group A, B, C and D were bred to designated boars on attaining seven, eight, nine and ten month of age. Similarly pigs in group E, F, G and H were bred to designated boars on attaining body weight of 70, 80, 90 and 100 kg respectively, irrespective their ages. Two pigs from each group were slaughtered within a week after mating and the genitalia were studied. The length, weight of uterus, ovarian weight and ovulation rate were increasing with increasing order of age and body weight of the animal. Remaining four pig in each of group were allowed to farrow and their litter performance was studied. The litter size, weight at birth and weaning were significantly (P < 0.01) different between the groups. The prepartum weight gain did not vary significantly in pigs of different age and weight. The weight at weaning significantly (P < 0.01) varied in pigs of different age and body weight at breeding. The food consumed during gestation period was not significantly different between groups while during suckling period it significantly (P < 0.01) varied with age and body weight at breeding. The onset of post weaning estrus did not vary significantly between groups. Overall results suggested that economic and optimum age and weight at breeding was nine months and 90 kg.
Management protocol for averting drop of milk production in dairy cattle during summer
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Nisanth, P; Kannan, A
A study was conducted to assess the effect of feeding management on milk production and metabolic profile of crossbred cows in mid lactation. Twelve healthy crossbred cows having a peak yield of minimum eight litres in the previous lactation, were selected as the experimental animals. The animals were divided into two groups of six each as uniformly as possible with regard to age, milk yield and parity and were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments, T1 consisting of basal concentrate mixture and green grass as roughages and T2 consisting basal concentrate mixture, green grass as roughage of which 1/3rd of the concentrate and roughage is fed during the day time and rest in the evening and early morning with water availability at all times. Daily maximum temperature, minimum temperature and relative humidity were recorded inside the shed using maximum and minimum thermometer to quantify the microenvironment prevalent around the animals in both the treatment groups. Physiological parameters like respiration rate and rectal temperature were measured to give an immediate response to the climatic stress and consequently the level of comfort to the animal. Individual records of daily intakes of concentrate and roughage, daily milk production and fortnightly body weight were maintained through out the experiment. Milk samples were collected at fortnightly intervals and were analysed for milk fat, total solids and solids not fat. Blood was collected at fortnight intervals for estimating haemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, packed cell volume, plasma glucose and cortisol. The ambient temperature prevailed during the study period was higher than what was reported as comfortable or ideal temperature for better livestock production and the excess humidity and temperature levels recorded in the present study at Mannuthy could be classified as humid and hot. The average rectal temperature during morning and afternoon between T1 and T2 did not differ significantly. The mean values clearly indicated that high ambient temperature increased the respiratory rate in the afternoon. The respiration rate for morning and afternoon recording was not found to be differed between T1 and T2. Average body weight of animals revealed no significant difference for the both groups during all the fortnight studied. The average daily dry matter intake linearly increased as the lactation progressed in both the groups. Dry matter intake by the animals of T2 was comparatively better than the animals of T1 with a significant increase (P<0.05) during the fourth and seventh fortnight. Scrutiny of the data on milk production during first 120 days of lactation further revealed that comparatively higher milk yield and better persistency was observed in T2. There was no significant difference in any of the milk composition parameters between the treatments. The haematological parameters such as haemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and plasma glucose estimated at the fortnight intervals were not significantly affected by the two dietary treatments. On statistical analysis a significant difference (P< 0.05) in plasma cortisol was obtained between the two groups during the first and second fortnights. The overall average plasma cortisol level was significantly higher in the T1 in comparison to T2. From the overall results obtained in the present study it could be concluded that the night time feeding of the animals during summer season has improved total milk production and helped to maintain the higher milk yield as well as persistency of milk production in lactating crossbred cows and found that there was some long-term effect on performance of evening fed cows.