Browsing by Author "Peethambaran, P A"

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    Calcium and phosphorus requirements of indigenous layer ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2002) Ravi, S; Peethambaran, P A
    A 3 x 3 factorial experiment was carried out at the Department of Poultry Science, Kerala Agricultural University during the period from February to July 2002 to establish the optimum requirements of calcium (Ca) and available phosphorus (AP) in the diets for indigenous layer ducks under cage system of rearing. The Kuttanad varieties of indigenous ducklings of Kerala were maintained on deep litter system of rearing until 18 weeks of age at the University poultry farm, Mannuthy. From this flock, Ninety (90) female ducks were housed in 45 California type cages at the rate of two ducks per cage and they were weighed individually at 20 weeks of age. The dimension of each cage was 60 x 45 x 40 cm and the floor area of 1350 cm2 per duck was provided in the cage. The experimental diets were fed from 21 to 40 weeks of age and the observations were recorded in five periods of 28 days each. Nine experimental diets containing three levels of Ca viz., 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 per cent with three levels of AP viz., 0.40, 0.50 and 0.60 per cent were formulated and were fed to nine treatments consisting of five replicates of two ducks per cage in each treatment in a 3x3 factorial design. The mean body weight of ducks at 20 weeks of age was uniform III all groups ranging from 1400±9.11 to 1465±53.24 g with an overall mean of 1431±9.96 g. The Ca and AP levels did not influence significantly the 40th week body weight, which ranged from 1473±18.10 to 1579±58.28 g with an overall mean of 1544± 13.7 6g. The age at first egg in the flock with 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 per cent Ca levels were 154, 158 and 148 days respectively and with AP levels 0.4,0.5 and 0.6 per cent the same were 161, 154 and 148 days respectively. The period wise mean duck housed number (DHN) from 25-40 weeks of age (18.1eggs) was significantly higher with ducks fed 4.0 per cent Ca (P<0.05). The interaction effect was significant (P<0.05) for the dietary combination of 4.0 per cent Ca and 0.6 per cent AP with 20.2 eggs. The cumulative egg number (EN) of 75.7 eggs from 21 to 40 weeks of age was also higher with the Ca level 4.0 per cent and the 71.9 per cent production with diet T9 was superior by interaction effect (P<0.05). The duck housed per cent (DHP) production from 25 to 40 weeks of age averaged 64.6±1.92 per cent with 4.0 per cent Ca level. The Ca and AP levels in the diet did not influence the mean daily feed consumption, feed conversion ratio (FCR), egg mass and shell thickness. The overall mean daily feed consumption was 137.2±1.49 g per duck. The FCR per dozen eggs was 2.8±0.078 and that per kg egg was 3.9±0.099 for the period from 25 to 40 weeks of age. The mean egg weight (EW) and per cent shell were highly significant and the EW of 60.1±0.575 g averaged with 3.0 per cent Ca and 0.5 per cent AP level as well were high (Pinteraction effect with the above combination was also significant (PThe 9. 7±0. 081 per cent shell recorded with 0.5 per cent AP was significantly lower in comparison with other AP levels (P<0.05). At 40 weeks of age, the overall mean serum Ca was 15.42±0.35 mg/dl and serum P was 3.18±0.081 mg/dl. The mean serum inorganic P value of 2.92±0.164. mg/dl recorded with dietary Ca level 4.0 per cent was significantly lower than that of 3.5 per cent Ca level (P<0.05). The tibia ash (62.34±0.512 per cent) was significantly higher with 0.6 per cent dietary AP level (P<0.05) and the tibia ash Ca with 4.0 per cent dietary Ca level was significantly higher and the interaction effect with 0.6 per cent AP level was also significant. With this AP level, the tibia P was reduced significantly, but the interaction showed that the tibia P was high with diet T9. The liveability was excellent in ducks reared in cages (100 per cent) and there was no mortality during the period from 21 to 40 weeks of age. In the present study, the production traits used for evaluating the Ca and AP requirements of caged layer ducks were EN, EW, egg mass, feed consumption and FCR. The study revealed that 4.0 per cent Ca in the diet was superior over other Ca levels in the diet. The dietary Ca and AP levels did not influence the mean daily feed consumption and feed conversion ratios significantly. On the other hand, dietary AP levels influenced the mean EW, per cent shell, tibia ash weight and tibia ash Ca and P. Though the mean EW of 60.1±O.566 g recorded with 0.5 per cent AP was significantly higher, the significant interaction on egg number with the 0.6 per cent AP with 4.0 per cent Ca was found superior. Therefore it will be logical to set the requirements of AP at 0.6 per cent level. Thus, the overall results of the present study revealed that the 4.0 per cent Ca and 0.6 per cent AP levels with 18 per cent Crude Protein and 2650 Kcal ME/kg was optimum for egg production in indigenous layer ducks under cage system of rearing.
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    Comparative performance of new hampshire and indigenous naked neck hens in cages
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Jayasree, K S; Peethambaran, P A
    An experiment was carried out at the Kerala Agricultural University Poultry Farm, Mannuthy in order to evaluate the production performance of New Hampshire and Naked Neck hens in cages. Sixty (60) pullets each of New Hampshire (NH) and Naked neck (NN) at the age of 18 weeks were housed at random in identical cages in four replicates each at the rate of 15 birds per replicate and three birds per cage. Layer mash with BIS specifications was fed ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Standard routine management practices were followed in the study. The production performance in cages for five periods of 28-days each were recorded during January to June 1999. The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the production performance of New Hampshire and Naked Neck hens from 20 to 40 weeks of age in cages. Body weight at 20 and 40 weeks of age in New Hampshire and Naked Neck were recorded individually and the respective mean values were found to be 1675.10 g and 1682.30 g at 20 weeks and 2635.45 g and 2703.65 gat 40 weeks of age. The average age at first egg was 164.50 days in New Hampshire and 164.71 days in Naked Neck hens. The mean ages at 10 and 50 per cent production were 168. 15 and 175.5 days in New Hampshire and 170.35 and 176.55 days in Naked Neck respectively. • ii The mean egg production recorded was 4.15 with 59.28 per cent in New t: ) Hampshire and 4.51 eggs with 64.42 per cent in Naked Neck on hen housed basis and on hen-day basis 4.16 eggs with 59.42 per cent in New Hampshire and 4.52 eggs with 64.57 per cent in Naked Neck. The highest production was obtained at 31 weeks of age in New Hampshire and Naked Neck birds on hen-housed and hen-day basis. The mean daily feed consumption worked out was 123.06 gin NH and 123.46 g in NN. Feed conversion ratio on the basis of dozen eggs for New Hampshire was 2.60 and it was 2.45 in Naked Neck hens. Egg weight at last three days in each period was individually recorded and the overall mean egg weight for 21 to 40 weeks of age was 50.44 g in New Hampshire and 53.36 g in Naked Neck. The overall mean egg mass per day was 1.60 kg in NH and 1.84 kg in NN. The mean percentages of shell, albumen and ,yolk were 10.17, 58.59 and 31.24 in New Hampshire and 9.41, 57.65 and 32.94 in Naked Neck eggs respectively. The mean shell thickness was 0.44 mm in NH and 0.48 mm in NN eggs. The mean i indices of shape, albumen and yolk were i.34, 0.09 and 0.36 in New Hampshire and 1.32,0.07 and 034 in Naked Neck. The mean yolk cholesterol was 14.54 mg per g of yolk in New Hampshire and 14.46 mg per g of yolk in Naked Neck eggs. The mean Haugh Unit Score was 87.16 in 'New Hampshire and 80.58 in Naked Neck hens. The livability per cent from 21 to 40 weeks of age was 91.66 in New Hampshire and 93.33 per cent in Naked Neck. The feed cost per egg was 226 paise in New Hampshire and 212 paise in Naked Neck hens. Based on the above findings, it is evident that the overall egg weight, egg mass and shell thickness were significantly higher (P<0.05) in Naked Neck birds. The overall mean albumen index and yolk index were significantly higher (P<0.05) in New Hampshire birds. The differences in body weight at 20 and 40 weeks, age at sexual maturity, overall HlR'-J, HDN and its percentages, overall feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, per cent shell, per cent albumen and per cent yolk., shape index, yolk. cholesterol and Haugh Unit Score were non- significant between New Hampshire and Naked Neck. Therefore it was concluded that Naked Neck birds have an edge over new Hampshire birds in egg production, egg weight, egg mass and shell thickness. However, New Hampshire birds had better albumen and yolk percentage. New Hampshire and Naked Neck were similar in characters of body weight, age at sexual maturity, egg production, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, per cent shell, per cent albumen, per cent yolk, yolk. cholesterol and Haugh Unit Score, when reared in cages.
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    Dietary protein and energy requirements of ducks for growth
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1991) Peethambaran, P A; Ramakrishnan, A
    A detailed study was undertaken to establish the dietary protein and energy requirements of ducks for growth and also to ascertain the optimum age at slaughter in white pekin ducks. An attempt was made to study the general trend of growth in pekin ducks fed with different levels of protein and energy. An exhaustive review of literature has been presented on the effects of dietary protein and energy levels on growth and associated traits in pekin ducks. Five hundred and four (504) one-day old ducklings of white pekin breed were used for the study. Two feeding trials each for a period of ten weeks were carried out using nine experimental diets containing three levels of protein (17,20 and 23 per cent) and three levels of metabolisable energy (2400, 2600 and 2800 K Cal ME/kg). In each trial, the diets were fed to nine groups consisting of 28 ducklings in four replicates of seven ducklings each. The effects of protein and energy on production traits revealed the following: The requirements of dietary protein for optimum growth of white pekin ducks were 23 per cent until third week, 20 per from fourth to sixth week and 17 per cent from seventh to tenth week of age. The metabolisable energy requirement for optimum growth was proved to be 2400 K cal ME/kg diet from day-old to ten week of age throughout. The weekly body weights of ducklings receiving 20 and 23 per cent protein were significantly better until sixth week. Even though, ducklings receiving 17 per cent dietary protein were significantly lighter until sixth week, they recouped body weights by compensatory growth from seventh week onwards. The ducklings receiving dietary energy level 2600 K cal ME/kg have shown significantly higher weight gain and live body weight at first week. The second and third week gains and body weights were significantly higher in ducklings receiving 2400 and 2600 K cal ME/kg diet. The ducklings receiving 2800 K cal ME/kg showed significantly lower body weights and gains until third week. The weekly gains and body weights at sixth week were statistically comparable among the three energy levels studied. Rapid growth at early ages with 20 and 23 per cent protein was observed until fourth week. The growth was slow with 17 per cent level and peak gain occurred at fifth week. Protein x energy interaction effects on weekly body weights were non-significant. The interaction effects were significant in respect of sixth week weight gains, and feed intake at first week, fifth and sixth week of age. The feed intake at second and third week showed significant increase with increasing levels of protein. The energy level 2800 K acl ME/kg diet reduced feed intake markedly until third week. The cumulative feed intake at tenth week ranged from 7.879 to 9.423 kg per duckling, among experimental diets. The weekly feed-gain rations and cumulative feed efficiencies revealed poor conversion rates beyond eighth week of age. The cumulative efficiencies at sixth week were 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 with protein levels 17, 20 and 23 per cent respectively. The ready-to-cook yield at fifth, eight and tenth week were 66.39, 68.76 and 69.69 per cent respectively. The processing yields and losses, serum protein and haemoglobin levels; and the moisture, crude protein and ether extractives in liver and thigh meat were not significantly influenced by dietary protein and energy levels, and ages at slaughter. The marketing age in pekin duck was found optimum at sixth week on the basis of live body weight, feed conversion efficiencies and economics. Based on the above findings it was concluded that white pekin ducks require 20 per cent protein and 2400 K cal ME/kg diet until sixth week of age. In this study, the highest margin of return over feeding cost recorded with the above diet was Rs. 10.11 per duckling, at sixth week. Therefore, age for marketing pekin ducks was found ideal at sixth week on feeding medium level of protein with low energy density diet.
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    Effect of housing systems on performance of broilers in summer
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 1991) John Jacob, E; Peethambaran, P A
    A study was undertaken to quantamise the performance of broilers during three to eight weeks of age under three systems of rearing namely deep litter (DL), deep litter with fanned environment (DLF) and wire floor (WF) in a house with ACC roofing. The deep litter system of rearing broilers in a house with tile roofing (DLT) was also studied and compared with the above systems. Each system consisted of five replicates of 28 chicks each. Wood shavings were used as litter material in deep litter system. Plastic hexagonal mesh was used in wire floor system. Pedestal fan were used for providing fanned environment. Dry mash was fed throughout the study. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Standard managemental practices were followed identically in all systems of rearing. It was observed that the eighth week body weight and cumulative feed efficiency were numerically better with broilers reared in the house with tile roof. The cumulative feed intake per broiler during the period from zero to eight weeks of age was low during summer with all rearing systems studied. The cumulative feed efficiency was adversely affected by rearing broilers on DL with fanned environment. A marked reduction in maximum temperature inside the house, per cent relative humidity at the level of birds and cloacal temperature of birds were noticed in broilers reared with deep litter system in the house with tile roofing. The overall mean per cent relative humidity inside the house was found to be 82.5 per cent in the morning and 49.0 per cent in the afternoon during summer. Livability was not affected by any of the housing system. Among the different rearing systems, a reduction in ready to cook yield was observed in broilers reared with deep litter system in the house with ACC roofing. The returns over cost of feeding broilers revealed that it was Rs 7.99 per broiler with deep litter system of rearing in the house with tiled roof. In the house with ACC roofing, the returns over feeding cost in various systems were comparatively lower. From the above findings, it was concluded that rearing of broilers on deep litter system in a house with tiled roof was preferable in comparison with deep litter and wire floor system of rearing in a house with asbestos roofing, during summer season under hot humid environment.
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    Evaluation of dietary inclusion of azolla for growth in quail(Coturnix coturnix)
    (Department Of Poultry Sciences,College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Shamna, T P; Peethambaran, P A
    An experiment was carried out at the Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy, to study the effect of dietary inclusion of dried Azolla on growth of Japanese quails. The economics of feeding Azolla to quails up to six weeks of age was evaluated. One hundred and ninety two (192), day old Japanese quail chicks weighed individually, distributed randomly to four dietary groups each with four replicates of twelve quails. A control ration with 26 per cent crude protein and 2700 kcal ME per kg was formulated. Dried Azolla was included in the basal diet at levels of 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 per cent to form the dietary groupsT1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively and all the rations were made isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The quails were housed replicate wise in separate cages with dimension of 76 x 63 x 26 cm. Standard management conditions were maintained uniformly through out the experiment from 0 to 6 weeks of age. The body weight weight gains, feed consumption and FCR were recorded weekly and cumulative basis. The mortality was recorded at occurrence and per cent livability was worked out in each group. At the end of sixth week of age, two quails from each replicate were sacrificed to study the carcass yields and losses. The meat from breast and thigh were collected from each carcass and the total cholesterol was estimated. Blood samples were collected at the time of slaughter and total cholesterol, creatinine, total protein and uric acid in serum were estimated. Economics over feed cost was calculated based on the prevailing cost of feed ingredients. The sale price of quails based on live weight and R to C yield were used to evaluate the economics of incorporation of Azolla in quail diets. The salient results obtained in the study are presented below. The mean BW of quails was162.40, 159.47, 155.61 and 151.73 g at fifth week and that at sixth week of age was177.16, 175.42, 169.81 and 164.07 g in groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. The BW of quails fed 5.0 and 7.5 per cent of Azolla was significantly lower than that of control group (P≤0.05) at both these ages. The cumulative feed intake per quail in groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 from 0 to 5 weeks (551.81, 552.44, 559.44 and 560.21 g) and 0 to 6 weeks (745.33, 742.55, 743.13 and 750.87 g) was comparable among each other. The cumulative body weight gain at both 5th and 6th week was significantly lower with quails fed 7.5 per cent Azolla than that of control group (P≤0.05). At these ages the cumulative FCR observed in this group was significantly higher compared with all other groups. The giblet yield of 4.81 per cent in quails fed 2.5 per cent Azolla was significantly higher than that of control group (4.08 per cent). The R-to-C yield (76.78 per cent) and the gizzard per cent (1.90) recorded in quails fed 5.0 per cent Azolla was significantly higher than that of control group. The R-to-C yield of 75.45, in quails fed 2.5 Azolla was numerically higher than the control fed group(71.14per cent). The serum cholesterol was significantly lower with 5.0 and 7.5 per cent levels of Azolla than that of control group. The total protein, creatinine and uric acid in serum and cholesterol content both in breast and thigh meat were not affected by inclusion of Azolla in quail diet. The margin of return over feed cost plus chick cost per quail was Rs.5.11, 4.85, 4.44 and 4.08 at five week followed by 4.45, 4.35, 3.85 and 3.25 at six week in groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively with low economic return. Based on the above findings, it was concluded that the sixth week body weight, the cumulative feed intake, FCR and R-to-C yield in quails fed 2.5 per cent Azolla was comparable with that of control group. These results clearly indicated that the incorporation of the dried Azolla at 2.5 per cent level can be recommended for feeding Japanese quails. It is also recommended to market quails for meat purpose at fifth week itself instead of sixth week of age, since the weight gain and FCR were found to be deteriorating markedly at sixth week compared to fifth week.
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    Evaluation of production performance in F strain of white Leghorn
    (Department of Poultry Science,College of Veterinary Science, Mannuthy, 1995) Beena C Joseph; Peethambaran, P A
    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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    K o z h iv a l a r t h a l : k a ip u s t h a k a m
    (Kerala Agriculture University, 2006) Peethambaran, P A; Jalaludheen , A
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    Performance of gramalakshmi and gramasree chicken layers under backyard system
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 2010) Ajith Babu, B; Peethambaran, P A
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    Production performance of austra-white and rhode-white layers on litter floor
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1998) Sridharan, E; Peethambaran, P A
    An experiment was conducted at Kerala Agricultural University Poultry Farm, Mannuthy in order to evaluate the production performance of Austra -white and Rhode -white hens on litter floor. The Australorp and Rhode Island Red formed the male lines and the 'F' strain of White Leghom formed the female line for the production of A W and RW progenies. One hundred and twenty (120) pullets each of Austra -white (A W) and Rhode -white (RW) at the age of 18 weeks were housed in identical pens in eight replicates each at the rate of 15 birds per replicate at random. Layer mash with BIS specifications was fed throughout the experimental period. Standard routine managemental practices were followed in the study. The production performance on deep litter for six periods of 28 days each were recorded during the period from December' 97 to June' 98. The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the production performance of Austra-white and Rhode - white hens from 21 to 44 weeks of age under deep litter system of rearing. Body weight at 20 and 44 weeks of age in Austra-white and Rhode-white were recorded individually and the respective mean values were found to be 1181.50 and 1178.75 g at 20 weeks and 1477.45 and 1539.79 g at 44 weeks of age. The average age at first egg was 161.63 days in Austra-white and 159.75 days in Rhode-white hens. The mean ages at 10 and 50 per cent production were 166.25 and 179.13 days in Austra-white and 163 and 176.75 days in Rhode-white respectively. The mean egg production recorded was 82.98 with 49.39 per cent in Austra-white and 98.80 eggs with 58.81 per cent in Rhode-white on hen-housed basis and on hen-day basis 85.72 eggs with 51.02 per cent in Austra-white and 101.21 eggs with 60.24 per cent in Rhode-white. The highest production was obtained at 32 weeks in Austra-white and 31 weeks of age in Rhode-white birds on hen-housed and hen-day basis. The mean daily feed consumption was worked out to 113.22 g in AW and 113.66 gin RW. Feed efficiency on the basis of dozen eggs for Austra-white was 2.60 and 2.05 in Rhode-white hens. Egg weight at last three days in each period were individually recorded and the overall mean egg weight for 21 to 44 weeks of age was 48.02 g in Austra-white and 46.50 g in Rhode-white. The overall mean egg mass per day was 3.32 kg in A W and 3.56 kg in RW. The mean percentages of shell, albumen and yolk were 10.86,60.11 and 28.75 in Austra-white and 11.10, 59.39 and 29.47 in Rhode-white eggs respectively. The mean shell thickness were 0.42 mm in AW and 0.41 mm in RW eggs. The livability per cent from 21 to 44 weeks of age was 89.17 in Austra- white and 95.83 per cent in Rhode-white. The feed cost per egg was 15291 paise in AW and 130.95 paise in RW. Based on the above findings, it is evident that the body weight at 44 weeks of age, overall HHN, HDN and its percentages, per cent livability and per cent yolk in eggs were Significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Rhode -white birds. Whereas the overall mean egg weight and per cent albumen were significantly higher in Austra - white eggs. The differences in body weight at 20 weeks, age at sexual maturity, overall feed consumption, per cent shell, shell thickness and egg mass per day were non- significant between Austra - white and Rhode - white. Therefore it was concluded that Austra-white birds have an edge over Rhode-white birds in the overall mean egg weight and per cent albumen. Rhode-white birds are superior to Austra-White birds in body weight at 44 weeks, egg production, feed efficiency, livability and per cent yolk in eggs under deep litter system of rearing. Further studies using A W and RW birds are warranted under backyard conditions for exploiting the above traits advantageously.
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    Utilisation of dried cuttle fish (Sepia officialis) waste silage in layer duck ration
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 2005) Jayant Govindan; Peethambaran, P A
    An experiment was conducted in Department of Poultry Science, Kerala Agricultural University during the period from June to November, 2004 to assess the utilization of dried cuttle fish waste silage (CFWS) on replacement of dried fish (DF) in indigenous layer duck ration. At the age of 24 weeks, 96 layer ducks were housed under cage system of rearing with two ducks per cage. They were divided into three groups T1, T2 and T3 comprising 32 ducks per group with 8 replicates having four ducks per replicate. The three groups of ducks were fed with dietary combinations of 10 per cent DF and zero per cent dried CFWS (T1), 5 per cent DF and 11.45 per cent dried CFWS (T2) and 22.9 per cent dried CFWS replacing DF completely (T3) and the diets were made isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The first egg in the flock was laid in groups T1 and T2 at 169 days of age and ages at 10 and 50 per cent production were also early in T1. The overall duck housed number and duck housed per cent production during 25-44 weeks of age were 75.06 and 53.61 in T1 which was though numerically superior was statistically non significant compared with T2 and T3. The overall mean daily feed consumption was 166.36,166.80 and 168.35 g per duck which were statistically comparable between various treatment groups. The overall feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs was 3.58, 4.23 and 4.32 and per kg egg mass was 4.65, 5.14 and 5.22 in T1, T2 and T3 respectively which was non-significant (P<0.05). The overall mean egg weight (EW) was 63.80, 67.74 and 67.09 g in T1, T2 and T3 having significantly lower EW in T1, whereas it was comparable between T2 and T3. The lower DHN in groups fed dried CFWS was compensated by higher mean egg weight and thereby total egg mass in the study periodwas maintained in the cuttle fish waste silage fed groups. All the internal egg quality traits namely, albumen index, yolk index, percent shell and shell thickness did not differ between treatment groups during five, 28-day periods. Livability was excellent in all groups. Economically, though control group showed higher feeding cost, due to higher egg number it returned higher margin of return over feed cost of rupees 0.26 per egg, whereas it was Rs. 0.04 in T2 and Rs.0.14 in T3. Thus, it was concluded that dried cuttle fish waste silage can be included at 11.5 and 22.9 per cent levels in duck layer rations with significantly higher mean egg weight as 50 and 100 per cent replacement for dried fish protein under cage system of rearing of ducks.
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