Kaushalendra Kumar

Effect of feeding different dietary levels of energy and protein on growth performance and immune status of Vanaraja chicken in the tropic.

Aim: The present study was conducted to observe the effect of feeding dietary level of energy and protein on growth performance and immune status of Vanaraja chicken in the tropic. Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted for 56 days on 540 1-day-old chicks, which were individually weighed and distributed into nine groups having 60 birds in each. Each group was further subdivided into triplicates having 20 birds in each. Nine different experimental rations were formulated with three levels of protein, viz., 17%, 19%, and 21%; each with three levels of energy (2600, 2800, and 3000 kcal metabolizable energy [ME]/kg), respectively. Group T8 serves as control fed with 21% protein and 2800 kcal energy as per Project Directorate of Poultry, Hyderabad given requirement. Feed consumption, live weight gain, body weight change, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated based on the amount of feed consumed every week. All the birds were vaccinated following standard protocol. The hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test have been performed to assess the immunity potential of birds due to dietary effect, and serum samples were subjected to HI test at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of age. Finally, economics of broiler production was calculated on the cost of feed per kg live weight gain. Results: This study revealed that the effect of feeding different levels of energy and protein on growth parameters such as body weight gain and FCR was found to be significantly higher (p<0.05) containing 19% and 21% crude protein with 3000 kcal ME/kg in Vanaraja birds. There was a gradual increase in antibody titer against New castle disease virus as the level of protein and energy increase. It is speculated that the better body weight gain corroborate health and antibody titer. Moreover, the better immune response recorded in the study might be due to better nutrient utilization and its extension toward the better immune response. Higher energy with medium protein diet positively reflects to obtain desirable performance economically. Conclusion: It was positive inclination toward ration containing high protein and energy which influence the immune response of Vanaraja birds to obtained desirable performance economically also.

Effect of feeding Acacia nilotica pod meal on hematobiochemical profile and fecal egg count in goats

Aim: This study was conducted to observe the effect of feeding Acacia nilotica pod meal on hematobiochemical profile and gastrointestinal parasitic load in growing goats. Materials and Methods: To experiment was conducted for a period of 3-month on 24 male goats (3½ month old, average body weight [BW] 6.50±1.50 kg), distributed into four groups of six animals each. The experimental animals were fed graded level of A. nilotica pod meal (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) mixed in concentrate mixture equivalent to tannin concentration of 0%, 1.91%, 3.82% and 5.73% in the total mixed ration I, II, III and IV, respectively, but ad libitum measured quantity of green sorghum fodder (Sorghum bicolor) feeding. The blood samples were collected from experimental goats during the feeding experiment for the examination of different hematological indices and serum biochemical profile to know the overall health status of animals and standard method was followed to analyze the samples. Fecal sample was collected directly from the anus of goats by inserting middle finger and kept the samples in labeled polythene bag. Further fresh sample was processed and examined by McMaster Technique for eggs per gram and oocysts per gram. It gives accurate information regarding severity of infection. Results: The feeding of babul pod meal did not address significant changes about the hematological parameters among various treatment groups. The lymphocyte count was significantly higher (p=0.07) in T3 group as compared to control and increase with increase in level of babul pod meal in the diet. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level was 4.86 and 6.59% lower in T1 and T2 group as compared to control and inversely proportional with level of supplement in ration. The decrease in BUN reflected good dietary protein metabolism happened in animals supplemented with babul pod meal. Serum creatinine level was significantly lower (p<0.01) in T2 group as compared to control. The creatinine level was 20.17% lower in T2 group as compared to control. Haemonchus and Coccidian egg count was significantly reduced (p<0.01) in T2 and T3 group followed with T1 as compared to control group. Conclusion: The metabolic status of the animal was not affected with the supplementation of babul pod meal, however, lower serum creatinine level and remarkable reduction in nematode, as well as protozoan egg count in the treatment group, showed good health impact of babul pod.

Inclusion of Mannan-oligosaccharide and-Tocopherol in the Diet: Their Effect on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chicken

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing prebiotic mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) and α-tocopherol individually and in combination on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken. A total of 240, day-old Vencobb broiler chicks of either sex were randomly assigned to four dietary treatment groups with three replicates of 20 birds for 7 weeks. The chicks in all the groups were fed with the starter and finisher ration as per BIS recommendations, however, in treatments T2, T3 and T4, the chicks were also provided with α-tocopherol @ 400 IU, mannan-oligosaccharide @ 0.4% and α-tocopherol @ 400 IU + mannan-oligosaccharide @ 0.4% of the feed, respectively. The basal diet served as treatment T1. There was significant (P<0.05) gain in body weight, feed intake and FCR in experimental group fed combination of MOS and α-tocopherol compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in the carcass traits with respect to dressing percentage, eviscerate percentage, giblet or byproduct percentage. But, the immune organs (liver, spleen and bursa) showed higher (P<0.05) absolute weight. Therefore, supplementation of MOS and α-tocopherol could improve growth performance, carcass yield and immunity.

Effect of Feeding Tanniniferous Acacia nilotica Pod Meal on Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization of Black Bengal Kids

The study was conducted to assess the effect of supplementation of tannin rich feed on growth performance and nutrient utilization of goats fed on tanniniferous babul (Acacia nilotica) pod meal. For growth study twenty-four Black Bengal male kids (3.5 months, 6.50±1.50 kg BW) were distributed into four equal groups. The experimental animals were fed graded level of babul pod meal (0, 10, 20 and 30 percent) mixed in concentrate mixture equivalent to tannin concentration of 0, 1.91, 3.82 and 5.73 percent in control, T1, T2 and T3 diet, respectively. The intake of different nutrients was numerically higher in T2 group as compared to control. There were no significant changes (P>0.05) in respect of nutrient digestibility. The N balance was 38.0% higher in T2 group as compared to control. The ADG was 11.21 and 25.48 percent higher in T1 and T2 group as compared to control, whereas reduction in BW and ADG was noted in T3 group. The feed conversion efficiency was significantly (P<0.05) better in T2 than control and T3 group. The FCR in 20% babul pod meal supplemented group was 22.60% lower than control group. It is concluded that locally available tanniniferous babul pod could be used as a feed constituents in the diets of goats.