Poultry breeds

Gramalakshmi : A layer developed by Kerala Agricultural University which is a cross bred bird produced by crossing Australop male and F strain white Leghorn female. The layer has proved its versatality in the homestead farming situation. Homestead farming is a unique feature in Kerala egg production scenerio and therefore is an ideally suited bird for Kerala. Some of the salient features of this bird are: Annual egg production : 180-200 eggs Body weight at the end of lay : 1.7 kg. Colour of egg : Light brown Mortality : Less than 4% These targets are achievable by feeding birds with household food waste and 40-50 g of compounded feed per bird per day and adopting timely immunisation.

Athulya : A hybrid layer bird evolved at the All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Poultry Breeding, Mannuthy Centre. A product which has surpassed all other entries in performance testing programmes conducted by Government of India. Athulya has a potential to give 270-280 eggs under farm conditions. The feed conversion ethciency is excellent. Livability is also excellent. The average egg weight is 53g. Percentage egg product at 72 weeks is around 74.

Technologies

• The cause and magnitude of infertility and sub fertility in cross bred cattle were identified. Among other things hypothyroidism was found to be one of the etiological factors.
• Some of the reproductive disorders in goats were demonstrated to be associated with hypothyroidism. The changes seen in organs in sub-clinical hypothyroidism were shown to be reversible in nature and therefore could be corrected by practice.
• An effective test for tubal pregnancy in cows was evolved and suitable equipment fabricated as diagnostic device .
• The prevalence of IBR virus infection in Kerala was established and considered to be one of the causes for abortions in cattle.
• Immuno gel diffusion and isoelectric focussing methods were standardised for identifying different meat types.
• In gel electrophoresis, the presence of an additional band in the low molecularweight region for the myofibrillar protein fraction, absence of a distinguishingband in the low molecular weight region of the sarcoplasmic protein fraction,and the presence of loose wavy bundles of muscle have been found to be ofvalue to identify buffalo meat as against beef from other cattle sources.
• The various toxic principles of leaf fodders were identified. The relatively high content of tannic acid was found to be one of the factors responsible for low digestibility coefficients.
• Manurial and varietal studies were conducted for fodder at different geographical locations and a fodder calendar was proposed for the State.
• The nutritive value and chemical composition of 50 items of unconventional feeds and fodders were determined, on the basis of which some items have been recommended for incorporation in commercial feeds to economic advantage.
• The oestrogenic activity of common fodders was established.
• Studied the influence of various kinds of dietary carbohydrates on protein utilisation in animal feed metabolism trials.
• The toxic effect of methionine on growth and reproduction in animals was studied and established.
• The etiological factors involved in the incidence of urinary calculi in goats were investigated and identified.
• The physiological responses of animals maintained on qualitatively and uantitatively different proteins with and without supplementation of amino acids was assessed. Inter-relationship of copper and zinc in pig nutrition was worked out.
• The standard has been prescribed for the nutrient needs of cross-bred kids.
• A low cost feed for use as Calf starter was developed using leaf meal.
• Optimum levels of degradable and undegradable protein in the ration of growing calves was assessed.
• The value of fish silage as a feed addition in poultry feeds was established.
• Nutritional factors influencing production and hatchability and also egg yolk colour were worked out.
• Optimum level of dietary protein was prescribed for optimal growth and feed efficiency in pigs under local condition and environment.
• The micro anatomy, digestive physiology and nutritive requirement of ducks were studied.
• The nutrient requirements of elephants under captivity was formulated for general adoption.
• Chemical tranquilization and control of elephants in musth and for routine operations were standardized.
• The haematological and serum enzyme profiles of elephants were investigated and physiological norms established.
• The metabolic activity of the avian ovary was investigated to establish the mechanism of lipid transfer in the ovary of poultry.
• Evaluation of pure/breds and cross-breds as against crossbred has established Austrowhite as a suitable bird for rearing under backyard conditions was completed.
• The economic traits of Desi ducks were investigated along with their crossbred Khaki Campbell. Body weight and egg yield were found to be higher as expected and disease resistance with special reference to aflotoxicosis was found to be lower in the crossbred birds.
• Studies conducted on the therapeutic efficiency of selected indigenous drugs in the treatment of experimental liver damage in dogs have revealed the beneficial effects of Andrographis Paniculats.
• Among the indigenous plants taken up for trials, Sesamum indicum, Butea superba, Bamboosa arudinacia and Tribulus terrestris were found to have oestrogenic activity.
• The combination of atropine and Bis (Pyridinium 4-aldoxine) was identified as extremely effective in controlling toxic action of the insecticide Dichlorvos.
• A comprehensive survey was carried out to assess the incidence of various parasitic conditions causing morbidity and mortality among livestock in Kerala. Eleven new species of parasites were recorded and seven new host records were made. Life cycle of 5 of these parasites were also worked out for the first time.
• Investigation was carried out on the incidence of helminth parasites in elephants and a new species Indofilaria elephantis was recorded. Treatments for parasitic infections and the dose schedule of 12 new anthelmintics for elephants were standardised.
• Extensive studies were carried out on parasites of ducks. Five new species were recorded and the life cycle of eight parasites of ducks were worked out for the first time. Pathogenecity of duck nematodes was also studied and effective treatment methods standardised.
• The intertransmissibility and pathology of Schistosoma nasalis of cattle and buffaloes were worked out which revealed that buffaloes are the normal definitive host of S.nasalis and cattle the unusual host.
• Control measures effective against ticks using newer organophosphorus compounds were standardised.
• Studies were conducted on the pathogenesis and treatment of common nematodes of goats in Kerala and the effect of irradiated larval vaccines against . Haemonchus contortus in goats was assessed.
• In a study on polymorphism of haemoglobin, transferring albumin and amylase in Malabari goats and their exotic crosses, it was revealed that there are twq different types of Haemoglobin. HbA and HbB in the population.
• Extensive investigation on mycotoxicosis with special reference to aflatoxicosis and ochratoxicosis were carried out. In addition to cellular damage it was found that they were oncogenic under certain situations.
• Alleviation of symptoms of mycotoxicosis and methods for destroying the toxins as a preventive measure were investigated.
• Studies on comparative oncology with special reference to neoplasms of ethmoid in domestic animals were carried out. Ultrastructural studies revealed association of a virus with neoplastic cells and epidemiology, symptomatology, enzymology and immunology of ethmoid cancer were studied in detail. A diagnostic test exfoliative cytological technique was evolved for early detection. The value of macrophage- lymphoid reaction and the use of tumour antigen for diagnostic tests were explored.
• Studies on basic cellular and vascular response in the inflammatory reaction in chicken and ducks were carried out. Detailed etiology, pathology and treatment of Bangkok haemorrhagic disease were determined.
• The association of mycotoxin infected straw in the causation of 'Necrosis of extremities syndrome' in buffaloes was brought out and pathogenesis was described.
• The etiology and pathology of pneumonia and enteritis in goats were described to enable practice of appropriate preventive measures.
• The neuropathology, organellar changes and enzymology associated with toxicity of Ficus sp.w ere studied.
• The various factors associated with hepatic disorders in domestic animals were elucidated.
• The residual effect of different insecticides on the health and productivity of animals and poultry were established.
• Investigations were conducted on the microbial etiology of infectious abortions in livestock and it was found that among other things Brucellosis and Leptospirosis were important entities.
• The microbiological etiology of mastitis and their antibiotic responses were studied and suitable preventive measures recommended.
• The efficacy of various anaesthetic agents were evaluated for use in goats.
• The clinical manifestation of selenium toxicity in cattle was found to be anorexia and general depression associated with toxic hepatitis and degenerative changes in the kidney and cardiac and intestinal musculature resulting in death.
• Investigation on the role of free flying birds in the epizootology of Newcastle disease, showed the involvement of many species of birds in the spread of the disease. A strain of RD virus isolated from a Mynah was found to be mesogenic and suitable as a vaccine strain and different from the Komarov Strain which is used for vaccine production in Kerala.
• Abortions in livestock caused by aflatoxins and chlamydia infections ere brought out.
• The cellular and humoral immune response to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in goats were studied in detail.
• The nature, properties and immunogenecity of the strain of the virus causing duck plague and the pathogenesis and pathology have been worked out.
• Corticosteroids have been found to be a supportive therapeutic measure for treatment of snake venom poisoning.
• Changes in the rumen in non-specific anorexia syndrome were identified and an effective therapy put into practice.
• The neoplastic cells in ethmoid carcinoma were found to be sensitive toCobalt in radiation. The ocular lesions were found to be secondary only. Anacarcia was found effective for local treatment of ethmoid tumour.
• Studies were carried out on the role of Bursa and Lavamisole therapy and established their involvement in immune responses associated with Ranikhet disease of chicken.
• Administration of 500 mg Estrumate, a prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue was found to improve the breeding efficiency in cases of suboestrus.
• Coconut cake has been found to be a good source of by-pass protein.
• Studies on the growth rate of poultry, have shown that traditional method of comparing growth rate by Rao's method can be replaced by alternative procedures based on parameters of fitted curves.
• The knowledge and adoption levels were better in participants in distance education than in non-participants.
• Karyological studies of cross breds and local cattle revealed no difference in chromosome number but the morphometric measurements did show variation indicating possibility to distinguish chromosomes of cattle of different origin.
• 2n-4n mixoploidy and free martin with XX-YY chimerism were recorded in cattle with reproductive disorders.
• Seventeen blood group reagents were prepared for blood grouping of cattle for progeny testing programme.
• Diallel cross involving local Newzealand White and Soviet Chinchilla broiler rabbits revealed that N.Z. White is suitable as both male and female parent line
• In broiler rabbits two transferrin variants, viz., TfAA, TfAC were observed while TfAC was not observed in any other genetic groups.
• In a field study conducted in the state of Kerala revealed no difference between Jersey and Brown Swiss crosses with reference to milk yield. Age at first calving was lower in Jersey crosses.
• The chromosomal profile of Indian elephant was worked out. The Makhana and Tusker did not exhibit any chromosomal difference.
• Draught potentialities of indigenous and cross bred cattle were assessed. Kangayam bulls were found to be superior over Jersey cross breds in dry land ploughing
• Effect of environmental heat stress on performance of cross bred dairy cattle was studied. Under hot humid conditions cross bred cows needed only minimum housing to protect from rain and that while planning housing, provision for maximum ventilation should be made.
• Buffaloes adapt well for the agro climatic conditions of Kerala both for production and work.
• The requirements for caged layer chicken were established. For optimum production the requirements of energy, protein, calcium and phosphorus are 2400 K cal/kg or ME, 16%, 4% and 0.5% respectively.
• In the study on the nutritional requirements of quails it was found that for growing quails the requirement of energy is 2700 K cal/kg of ME and that of protein is 26%.
• The floor space requirement of broilers during summer is 1114 Sq.cm./bird in contrast to 929 sq.cm./bird suggested by ISI.
• A strain cross chick IL M-90 with high egg production characteristics and good economic returns was released for commercial egg farming.
• Water hyacinth - a water weed - was made into a palatable silage for cattle ensiling with paddy straw.
• The feed efficiency of Saanen x Malabari and Alpine and Malabari crossbred kids did not differ significantly.
• In American Chinchilla crossbred rabbits, 16% protein in the concentrate mixture was found to be sufficient for supporting maximum growth and feed efficiency upto 49 days after weaning. For overall growth a protein level of 20% is required. For economy, slaughter at 49 days is ideal.
• The mechanism of aflatoxin induced carcinogenesis was delineated and methods for decontamination/amelioration were identified.
• Pathogenesis and pathobiology of common plant poisoning in livestock were worked out and therapeutic schedule and control were suggested.
• Emerging diseases like IBD and IBH were identified and control measures suggested.
• In a study conducted to assess the effect of industrial effluents on animal health it was found that fluorosis is an important problem.
• Alcoholic extracts of Phyllanthus niruri and Momordica charanta have been found to have hypoglycaemic effect.
• Doxapram was found to be effective for quick revival under sedation with chlorpromazine, Acepromazine, Haloperidol and Triperidol.
• Studies were conducted on the influence of bupremorphine, pentazocine and Xylazine on Ketamine anaesthesia, xylazine-ketamine combination was found to be best among the combination and could be effectively reversed with yohimbine hydrochloride.
• Indian elephants are not polymorphic with regard to haemoglobin and albumin The fatty acid and enzymes profiles were also worked out.
• Biometry, haematology, enzymology, osteology and nutritional requirements of elephants were investigated.
• Investigations were done on the post-natal development of the digestive tract of ducks.
• Comparative evaluation of various semen diluents were made. Tris diluent with 10% glycerol was found to be effective for freezing of buck sperm.
• Studies on the signals influencing reproduction of goats showed a definite relationship between olfactory signals and sexual behaviour.
• For embryo transfer, a good recovery rate was established for embryos after super-ovulation.
• A new vaccine - NDV - M has been evolved, evaluated and recommended for commercial vaccine production against Newcastle disease in chicken.
• Transfer of drug resistance between strains of staphylococci was established.
• A rapid agglutination test was developed for diagnosis of tuberculosis in ducks.
• Influenza virus type (H9 N2, H9 N3 and H3 N2) isolated for the first time in India from ducklings suffering from respiratory problems.
• Humoral immune system of duck was studied. 1g G, 1g A and 1g M were present in serum.
• Salmonella newport was isolated for the first time in ducks in India.
• Chlamydial agents were found to be causes for abortions in bovines.
• A new form of skin diseases in cattle was identified to be caused by Trichophyton and Fusarium. Treatment methods for the above fungal infections were studied and recommended.
• Effective treatments were evolved against Syngamus trachea, using Matendazole and Ivermectin.
• Efficacy of Ivermectin against ticks and mange were assessed.
• Treatment schedule were evolved for trypanosomiasis in elephants.
• The genetic correlation of full sibes pairs and parent offspring under full sibes and parent offspring mating system in the case of two loci with two alleles at each locus was studied.
• Simultaneous selection indices for 4 breeds/crosses were constructed incorporating four characters.
• A statistical study was conducted on the optimisation of collection and distribution of milk in the organised sector.
• The relative efficiency of exponential parabolic, exponential, quadriatic, quadriatic-cum-log, gamma and inverse polynomial, functions of locations curve was studied with respect of two genetic groups, viz., Jersey and Brown Swiss crosses.
• To study the pattern of growth in ducks, a primary data of body weight was analysed. Six growth curves were fitted to predict body weights at different stages of growth. The adequacy of fit was made on the basis of co-efficient of determination and standard error of estimates.
• It has been found that good quality ice-cream like product can be prepared substituting partly or fully the milk fat with coconut fat added in the form of coconut kernel juice. The product is termed kera cream.
• The lactose peroxidase system of milk had been studied with respect to its capacity for preserving raw milk at room temperature and found that yoghurt prepared from milk stored by LP system was as good as other milk.
• In a study on heat stress on cattle it was found that feeding sodium carbonate and undegradable proteins reduced the heat stress . The level of Tri- iodothyronine could be used as a marker for stress conditions.
• Comparative evaluation was made of the anaesthetics in goats.
• Various surgical techniques were standardised for treatment of fractures of long bones in calves.
• Prediction formulae for assessing the weight and height from different body measurements have been worked out for Indian elephants.
• Kinetics of Lactate dehydrogenase enzyme has been studied in Indian elephants.
• Prevalence of brucellosis in pigs was established by testing serum samples collected from 2176 pigs coming from different parts of Kerala. 37.6% of the animals were positive. About 1% of the human sera collected from Veterinaryy students, farmers and other sections of the society were found to be sero positive to this disease. Of the different routine tests compared STAT was found to superior to others.
• Inclusion of tannin rich feeds at lower proportions (10 & 20% level, the total tannin concentration being below 2%) in concentrate feed mixtures along with conventional feed ingredients does not markedly influence protein microbial degradability rates whereas when more degradable feed ingredients are mixed with pure tannic acid or with higher proportions of tannin rich feeds, (total tannin levels more than 4%) there is marked inhibition of protein break down in the rumen.
• Studies on the nutritive value of prawn waste as cattle feed has shown that this can be safely and economically incorporated in concentrate mixtures for adult cattle upto 20% level.
• Biological significance of rubber seed cake and tea waste as components in silage combination and their effect on growth and nutrient utilization have shown that tapioca leaves + rubber seed cake (75:25) is better to form a complete ration for goats than tapioca leaves + tea waste (75:25) and the same can be incorporated upto 60% on DM basis in the ration.
• In the case of kids tapioca leaves + tea waste (75:25) upto 60% level was better than Glyricidia leaves + tea waste compared to that of conventional complete ration for kids.
• Dot ELISA, PHA and indirect immunoperoxidase tests were successfully used for the diagnosis of duck plague and duck pasteurellosis.
• Structural protein and nucleic acid analysis of the duck plague virus were successfully done and the possible ways to differentiate strains of this virus were discussed.
• A cell culture adapted vaccine strain was developed from a virulent field isolate of DP virus and successfully used under field conditions. An inactivated duck pasteurella vaccine was developed and tested under field conditions.
• The effectiveness of simultaneous vaccination against DP with cell culture adapted vaccine and inactivated duck pasteurella vaccine was well taken by the farmers.
• A technique for freezing buck semen has been standardized . Hormonal induction of oestrum in bitches during off breeding season could result in successful conception. Artificial insemination in bitches has been initiated successfully.
• A surgical approach was designed for the manipulation of the gastro oesophageal function in dogs in the treatment of mega oesophagous. Gluteral dehyde and chrome processed canine aorta grafts were satisfactory in experimentally created tear of oesophagous in dogs.
• A modified test was developed for reliable and accurate identification of microfilaria in blood.
• Single oral dose of Milbimycine oxime at 0.5mg/kg was most efficient drug for treatment of canine microfilariasis.
• Inclusion of Acetic acid/Vineger in the feed and inclusion of straw as roughage was found to increase the fat percentage of milk.
• Studies conducted on the bacteriological quality of pasteurized milk from different sources indicated the need fior stringent hygenic measures during milking and handling of milk.
• Ensiling of agro-industrial byproducts like rubber seed cake, tea waste and coconut pith in combination with tapioca leaves and glyricedia leaves with additives like molasses /tapioca powder or whey revealed considerable reduction of anti nutritional or toxic factors such as hydrocyanic acid, tannic acid, oxalic acid etc. in them.
• Bacterial and fungal load of frozen bull semen produced in various centers in Kerala revealed significant differences between them, requiring improved hygienic measures in the centers and addition of broad spectrum antibiotics in the semen while processing.
• Conjugation and protoplast fusion were established to be the methods of transfer of resistance to ampicillin, penicillin and streptomycin to sensitive strains in staphylococci.
• Antibiogram, resistogram and biotyping along with plasmid profiling are recommended as epidemiological tools in differentiating and identifying staphylococci of bovine origin.
• Animals with light coat colour showed a significantly higher conception rate than those with dark coat colour irrespective of season. Similarly animals inseminated in the after noon generally had a high conception rate than those inseminated in the fore noon. Conception rate was also higher in animals which were given pre insemination rest for 90-120 minutes.
• A satisfactory milk recording system to predict 305 days milk yield has been developed.
• Staphylococci, streptococci and Eschrichia coli were generally associated with subclinical mastitis in most of the organised farms.
• Ascitis syndrome was common among broilers . Various factors such as combined infection of IBD and IBH and chemicals like furazolidone were attributed to this.
• In ducks cadmium toxicity was shown to produce severe immunosuppression compared to ochratoxin and mercury
• The common mycotic agents associated with mastitis were identified to be candida tropicalis, C. paratropicalis and C. quillermondii. Others such as Geotrichum candidum, Trichosporon cutaneum, Torulopsis sp . were also isolated from bacteriologogically negative samples. Nystatin, clotrimazole and ketaconazole were identified as the drugs of choice for mycotic mastitis.