1. KAUTIR (Kerala Agricultural University Theses Information and Retrieval)
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Item Effect of replacing dried fish with lysine and methionine in the calf starter on the growth performance of crossbred calves(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Jith John Mathew; Ally, KA growth trial was conducted with fourteen crossbred calves below one month of age for 145 days to study the effect of replacement of unsalted dried fish in the calf starter with a total vegetable protein source supplemented with lysine and methionine. Calves were divided into two groups as uniformly as possible and allotted randomly to two dietary treatments. The control group was fed with a calf starter containing unsalted dried fish. The treatment group was fed a calf starter with only vegetable protein sources formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric with control calf starter and equated by supplementation, with the same as regard to amino acids lysine and methionine plus cystine. Statistical analysis of the data showed that there was no significant difference in any of the parameters recorded during the study. An average daily gain of 325 grams and 348 grams were obtained in calves fed with the control and treatment diets respectively. Feed to gain ratio for the control and treatment groups were 3.85 and 3.81 respectively. Dry matter intake and haematological parameters such as haemoglobin, serum phosphorus, serum calcium, plasma glucose, serum total protein and blood urea nitrogen were similar in calves receiving the two dietary treatments. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients observed were 66.37 and 65.84 for dry matter, 72.21 and 72.36 for crude protein, 64.28 and 61.85 for ether extract, 62.34 and 60.71 for neutral detergent fibre and 51.95 and 52.25 for acid detergent fibre for the control and treatment diets respectively. Identical performance was obtained in all the parameters recorded. Cost per kilogram body weight gain was Rs 71.40 for the control group and Rs 69.63 in the treatment group. It could be inferred from the study that unsalted fish in a calf starter can be fully replaced by plant protein sources supplemented for existing deficiencies in lysine and methionine plus cystine to obtain similar growth performance of cross bred pre-ruminant calves.Item Influence of feed enzymes on nutrient availability and production performance of laying hens(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 1995) Satyamoorthy, B; Maggie Menachery, DThe influence of feed enzymes, viz., cellulose or protease supplemented at levels of 0.06 or 0.02 per cent respectively, on nutrient availability and on production performance was evaluated in a standard and a less dense layer ration using one hundred IWN strain of Single Comb White Leghorn pullets of 20 weeks of age for an experimental period of 20 weeks. A standard layer ration was formulated as per BIS, 1993. With 18 per cent crude protein and 2600 kcal of ME per kg of feed and a less dense layer ration with 16 per cent crude protein and 2500 kcal of ME per kg of feed. A few feed ingredients such as jowar, deoiled rice bran, wheat bran and undecorticated sunflower cake were included in both rations. A numerical improvement was noticed in percentage hen – housed and hen – day egg production in enzyme treated groups, however, the increase in egg number was not statistically significant. Egg weight and egg quality characteristics such as yolk and albumen indexes, Haugh unit scores and shell thickness were not affected by enzyme treatment. A positive influence of the enzymes on feed intake by birds was observed in as much as the feed intake with less dense ration supplemented with enzymes was not different statistically from those with the control ration. There was positive enzyme effect on feed per egg in treatment groups on standard layer ration with both enzymes and in less dense ration with protease. Feed efficiency for egg production (egg number) was significantly higher in birds fed standard layer ration with cellulose and protease than those on other treatments (P < 0.05). There was improvement in digestibility of crude protein and utilisation of energy, even though the differences noted were not significant statistically. The enzyme treatment of rations reduced moisture content of excreta. The microbial load on the surface of eggs was comparatively low in enzyme treated groups. The intestinal viscosity was reduced with enzyme addition in feed mixtures. The cost – benefit analysis indicated that but for the prohibitive enzyme cost, the feed enzymes were nutritionally beneficial. Based on the present investigation it is concluded that there is tremendous scope for enzymes in feed industry, especially at the present context of feed shortages and the emphasis for the utilisation of alternative feed resources in poultry rations.Item Nutritive evaluation of squilla (oratosquilla nepa) meal in broiler chicken diets(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Kanakasabai, P; Kunjikutty, NAn experiment was designed and conducted to assess the nutritive value of squilla (Oratosquilla nepa) meal in broiler chicken diet as an animal protein source replacing fish meal protein at three levels viz. zero, 50 and 100 per cent with supplementation of lysine and methionine at 100 per cent level of replacement. One hundred and eighty one – day old straight – run commercial broiler chicks were divided into four groups each with three replicates of fifteen birds and were allotted to four dietary treatments viz. T1 containing 10 per cent unsalted dried fish (control), T2 in which 50 per cent crude protein from dried fish was replaced with squilla meal protein, T3 in which 100 per cent crude protein from dried fish was replaced with squilla meal protein and T4 in which T3 was supplemented with adequate lysine and methionine as per BIS (1992). The rations were made isoproteimic and iso – caloric. The chicks were reared under standard managemental conditions for a period of eight weeks. The birds fed on 100 per cent squilla meal protein dist in replacement of fish meal protein attained significantly lower body weight gain )P < 0.01) compared to those in the control ( T1) and 50 per cent squilla meal protein (T2) group at six and eight weeks. Lysine and methionine supplementation in the 100 per cent squilla meal protein diet improved the weight gain of birds to a level comparable to those on 50 per cent squilla meal protein diet. Feed intake and protein of birds on various dietary treatments at different ages did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). But the feed conversion efficiency of birds maintained on control diet was significantly higher (P < 0.05) at six weeks and eight weeks (P < 0.01) than those on 100 per cent squilla meal protein diet (2.437 vs 2.93). Protein efficiency ratio of birds differed significantly between different treatment groups and the values correlate well with the body weight gain at different ages. Slaughter studies revealed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the different groups in dressed yield, giblet yield and length of duodenum. However, the abdominal fat was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in control group of birds, while the ready – t0 – cook yield was significantly less (P < 0.05) in 100 per cent squilla meal protein group. The apparent metabolisable energy content of different rations and daily protein retention of birds showed no significant difference between the different dietary treatments. The cost of production per kilogram of live weight gain of birds maintained on the four dietary treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 were Rs. 26.42, 26.24, 27.25 and 27.79 respectively. Though there was a slight decrease in the cost of production of birds due to incorporation of squilla meal in place of unsalted dried fish at 50 per cent replacement, the difference was insignificant. However, 100 percent replacement of fish meal protein with squilla meal protein and amino acid supplementation to the same increased the cost of production (P < 0.01) with no corresponding increase in performance. From the results obtained in the present study it was inferred that squilla meal can be effectively included in broiler chicken diets to replace 50 per cent of fish meal protein without affecting growth, feed conversion efficiency and the cost of production.Item Energy supplementation on production performance of cows under field condition(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Ruby Agustian; Mercy, A DA study was conducted to assess the effect of energy supplementation in the form of maize and rumen protected fat in early lactating cows under the field condition. Thirty, early lactating cross bred cows were selected and divided into three groups uniformly with regard to days in milk, the average days in milk being 40 days. The animals were randomly allotted to the dietary treatments T1, T2 and T3. The concentrate mix made in the semi liquid form and paddy straw formed the T1 ration. The animals of T2 and T3 were supplemented with 1 kg ground maize and 100 g of rumen protected fat respectively, over and above the control ration. The animals maintained on the three dietary treatments T1, T2 and T3 showed an average milk production of 15.38, 14.58 and 13.01 kg respectively during the 90 day period of the experiment. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in milk yield between the three treatment groups. The average daily DMI and DMI/100 kg body weight remained similar for all the three groups. The TDN intake was up to the requirement in animals maintained on T3 ration while T1 and T2 rations could not meet the requirements of the animals of the respective groups. The DCP intake was optimum from the three rations. The energy supplementation did not affect milk composition such as percentage of total solids, milk fat, solids not fat (SNF) and milk protein, and milk urea nitrogen (MUN). The 4 per cent FCM yield, total yield of milk fat and protein remained unaffected by energy supplementation. Animals in all the three groups showed similar blood parameters such as haemoglobin, plasma glucose, plasma urea nitrogen and plasma Ca and P. The digestibility of EE, DM, NDF and ADF was higher for the T3 ration than that of T1 and T2. The digestibility of crude protein (CP) was higher for T2 than T1 and T3 rations. Animals maintained on T3 ration showed earlier post partum heat. The cost of feed for producing 1 kg milk was higher for the dietary treatments T2 and T3. An overall assessment of the results obtained in the present study showed that energy supplementation in the form of either maize or rumen protected fat could not influence dry matter intake, milk yield and 4 per cent FCM yield. There was no change in the composition of milk and blood parameters studied, among the experimental animals. However, energy supplementation in the form of protected fat could meet the energy requirement of early lactating animals, improved the digestibility of EE, DM, NDF and ADF and positively influenced the first post partum heat.Item Organic chromium supplementation on growth of cross bred pigs(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Ann Nisa Thomas; Mercy, A DAn investigation was carried out with the objective to determine the effect of chromium as chromium propionate on the growth of cross bred pigs and to evaluate the economics of organic chromium supplementation in the ration of cross bred pigs. Twenty four weaned piglets (12 male and 12 female) with an average body weight of 18 kg were used as experimental animals. The piglets were randomly divided into two groups with six replicates of two piglets in each group and were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments T1 (control diet) and T2 (control + 200 ppb chromium). The pigs were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and later on at fortnightly intervals. Blood samples were collected in the beginning and at the end of the experiment for the analysis of various biochemical parameters. Digestion trial was conducted at the end of the experiment to determine the digestibility coefficient of the nutrients of the experimental diets. Animals in the two dietary treatments showed similar (p>0.05) body weight gain, average daily body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. There was a numerical increase in dry matter and crude protein digestibility of Cr supplemented ration. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the animals in the two groups for all the blood parameters studied except phosphorus and cholesterol, which were significantly lower (p<0.05) for T2 group. There was non-significant decrease in triglycerides and increase in HDL cholesterol level. The overall critical evaluation of the results obtained in the present study indicate that though supplementation of chromium propionate did not affect the growth or feed conversion efficiency of growing (Large White Yorkshire X Desi) cross bred pigs, it can be beneficially used to improve the lipid profile of the cross bred pigs.Item Effect of citric acid and microbial phytase on phosphorus utilization and growth in broiler chicken(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2003) Hariharan, T; Gangadevi, PItem Phytase supplementation on the availability of different minerals and their interactions in pigs(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Shyama, K; Mercy, A DItem Studies on the nutrient requirements of kids(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Mercy, A D; Sivaraman, EAn investigation was carried out to find out the nutrient requirements for optimum growth in kids. Twenty four Alpine – Malabari crossbred kids of 3 4 months of age formed the experimental subjects for the study. The animals, divided into three identical groups (groups 1, 11 and 111), were maintained on three different levels of nutrient intake for over a total period of 4 ½ months, the parameters recorded during the course of the study being average daily body weight gain, drymatter intake, feed conversion efficiency, digestibility coefficients of nutrients, nitrogen balance, mineral balance and haematological constituents. The average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency recorded for animals in the three groups 1, 11 and 111 were found to be 63.7 + 5.3, 64.4 + 5.0 and 67.6 + 2.0 g and 7.0 + 0.7, 7.5 + 0.5 and 7.9 + 0.3 respectively. The average drymatter consumption of animals were 3.1 + 0.2, 3.5 + 0.3 and 3.6 + 0.3 kg per 100 kg body weight respectively for the three groups 1, 11 and 111. The data collected for the haematological constituents were found to lies within the normal range for the species indicating that all the animals under the three dietary regimes were maintaining normal and sound nutritional status. The requirements arrived at for protein and energy for unit gain in body weight were 0.86 + 0.06 0.90 + 0.06 and 0.89 + 0.03 kg D. C. P. and 4.84 + 0.4, 5.20 + 0.30 and 5.31 + 0.19 kg T. D. N. for the animals in groups 1, 11 and 111 respectively. The requirements of D. C. P., T.D. N., calcium and Phosphorus arrived at from the results obtained during the course of the experiment are considered optimum for normal growth in Alpine – Malabari crossbred kids.Item Effect of dietary Cation-Anion balance on growth performance of broiler chicken(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Mary Juliet Francis; Viswanathan, T VAn investigation over a period of six weeks was carried out to study the effect of dietary cation-anion balance on growth performance of broiler chicken. One hundred and sixty commercial day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments viz., Tl, T2, T3 and 14 having four replicates each. The experimental diets were standard broiler ration with varying DCAB of 260 meq/kg (Tl, control), 210 meq/kg (T2), 310 meq/kg (T3) and 360 meq/kg (T4). Cation-anion balance was varied using sodium bicarbonate and ammonium chloride. Results indicated that the dietary treatments did not differ significantly in body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed intake, water consumption and processing yields. Body weight at the end of six weeks was 2069, 2031, 2047 and 2020 g and the cumulative mean body weight gain was 2023, 1984, 2000 and 1973 g for Tl, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Average daily feed intake was 159.39, 164.46, 166.65 atid 169.81 g and mean cumulative PGR were 2.04, 2.02, 2.04 and 2.09, respectively, for Tl, T2, T3 and T4. No significant difference was observed in serum minerals or biochemical parameters such as serum uric acid, cholesterol and glucose. Birds in T3 and T4 showed significantly higher (P<0.05) intake and balance of sodium than Tl and T2. Retention of chloride was significantly higher (P<0.05) for T3 and T4 whereas chloride intake was significantly lower (P<0.05) for T3 and T4. Overall evaluation of the results of the present study reveals that dietary cation-anion balance does not have a significant influence on growth performance of broiler chicken.Item Effect of energy supplementation on growth of crossbred heifers(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Sunil Wilson; Mercy, A DAn investigation was carried out to assess the effect of energy supplementation on growth of crossbred heifers. Eighteen crossbred heifers with an average age of 15 months and were distributed into three groups as uniformly as possible with regard to age and body weight. The dietary treatments TI, T2, and T3 were randomly allotted to each group. The three dietary treatments were Tl - control diet (concentrate mixture + straw) as per ICAR recommendations, T2 - control diet supplemented with 0.5 kg ground maize and T3 - control diet supplemented with 1 kg ground maize. The animals maintained on the three dietary treatments Tl , T2 and T3 showed an average daily body weight gain of 535.47,602.15 and 631.18 g respectively during the experimental period of 155 days. Statistical analysis of the body weight gain showed no significant difference between the three dietary treatment groups. The average daily dry matter intake was significantly higher (Pin the animals maintained on T3 ration compared to Tl and 1'2. However the dry matter intake as percentage of body weight remained similar in the heifers fed the three experimental diets. The energy supplementation did not seem to have any effect on the feed to gain and protein efficiency ratios of the crossbred heifers. Energy supplementation to the crossbred heifers had no effect on any of the rumen fermentation characteristics as pH, total volatile fatty acid concentration and ammonia nitrogen concentration of the rumen liquor.• The plasma levels of calcium and phosphorus also remained similar for the animals maintained on the three dietary treatments. A significant increase in the digestibilities of dry matter (P<0.05) and crude protein (Pobserved in the animals supplemented with maize at 0.5 (12) and 1 kg (T3) levels as an energy source compared to the control (TI). However the digestibilities of ether extract, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre remained unaffected by the extra energy supplementation. An improved reproductive performance was exhibited by the animals maintained on T3 ration. The cost of feed for producing unit gain was almost similar for the three dietary treatments. Thus a critical assessment of the overall results obtained during the course of the present study did not reveal any significant effect of energy supplementation on the growth, feed efficiency, rumen fermentation characteristics and the plasma levels of calcium and phosphorus. However, energy supplementation improved the dry matter and crude protein digestibilities. The reproductive performance of the animals was also better in the high energy supplemented group.