The effect of vacuum packaging on microbiological quality of roasted chicken. Roasted chicken were subjected to two different type of packaging treatment i.e. aerobic packaging with low density polyethylene bags (con) and vacuum packaging using barrier bags (VP.). Microbiological analyses were done on 0th, 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th day at refrigeration temperature (4±1oC). Studies revealed that microbial counts in terms of total plate count, proteolytic count and yeast and mold count increased significantly (P0.05) with the advancement of storage period and were significantly higher (P0.05) for aerobically packaged product throughout the observation period however, yeast and mould count observed only on 10th, 15th and 20th day of observation period. Lactic acid bacterial counts of vacuum packaged product were significantly higher as compared to aerobically packaged sample.

Survivability of Listeria monocytogenes in clay loam soil was examined at 30° C for a period of 35 days. The microorganism inoculated in soil steadily declined from 3.5 × 10 6 g -1 to 3.9 × 10 4 g -1 (P = 0.05) on 35 th days. Destruction of normal soil microflora by heat treatment resulted in marginal rise in 3.3 × 10 6 g -1 of L. monocytogenes to 4.2 × 10 6 g -1 during the first 7 days, followed by steady decline to 5.6 × 10 4 g -1 on 35 th days. Heat treated soil inoculated with lower concentration of L. monocytogenes (3.6 × 10 4 g -1 ) supported sharp rise in its population to 4.8 × 10 6 g -1 (P=0.05) during the first weak which gradually declined, but remained higher (6.1 × 10 4 g -1 ) than the initial load even on 35 th days. In non-sterile soil, the rise was less appreciable but L. monocytogenes maintained its levels (10 4 g -1 ) during the experimental period. Survivability of the microorganisms was also observed in the soil with added chicken manure, cattle manure or sheep/goat manure.

The level of antibody by ELISA,immunsosuppressive effect baes on the response of birds to Newcastle disease vaccination and damage to bursa of Fabricius by IBD vaccination were studied. The efficacy of six different IBD vaccination schedules were studied using intermediate and intermediate plus strains of vaccines either alone or in combination. In vaccinated groups, the sero-conversion of the vaccine virus was noticed during fourth week, reaching to the peak between eight to twelve weeks of age in different groups. Afterwards, there was a gradual decrease in the titres, by the end of 20th week (maximum period tested). There was no significant difference in the titres of different treatment groups. However, all the groups showed titres above protective level during the entire period of study. There was significant difference in bursa body weight (B-BW) ratios of vaccinated groups in comparison with control group. Histopathological studies of bursal sections revealed depletion of lymphoid follicles, presence of cystic spaces, edema and hemorrhages. The birds vaccinated with hot strain of IBD vaccine showed metaplastic changes, presence of foam cells with pronounced interfollicular fibrosis. The bursal scores were maximum in the groups vaccinated with hot strains of IBD vaccines.

Comparision of the carcass traits and sensory properties of meat between different genetic groups of guinea fowl and broiler chickens at 16 weeks ofa gerevealed that the dressing and eviscerated weight percentage of broiler chickens were significantly lower from that all the guinea fowl groups, except from that of Pearl, where the differences were not significant. Percent giblet weight was lower (P of weeks 16 at meat raw properties sensory their in chickens broiler than grades higher scored fowls guinea general, In weights. wing and leg cent per for except ofcarcass cuts birds groups between observed were differences No cross. ofLXP that from only significant but (67.77%), lowest also was yield Similarly, fowls.