High performance thin layer chromatographic method was developed and validated according to the protocol on “Validation of Analytical Procedures: Methodology, Veterinary International Cooperation on Harmonization (VICH)” with respect to linearity, sensitivity, precision and accuracy for determination of aflatoxin B1 in feed ingredients and feed. Chromatography was performed on thin layer chromatography (TLC) silica gel 60F254, aluminum sheets by Camag Linomat-5 applicator, with mobile phase condition acetone : chloroform (1 : 9). Analysis of samples viz. feed ingredients and feed, for aflatoxin B1was carried by HPTLC method and compared with TLC method. Extraction of aflatoxin was done as per AOAC method with screening and quantification by TLC and further quantification by HPTLC using reference standards. Out of 38 samples of nine types of feed ingredients analysed, samples of Bengal gram and rice bran & wheat bran mixture were negative by both methods. The other ingredients like cumbu/bajra, de-oiled rice bran, groundnut oil cake, maize, soyabean meal and sunflower oil cake, by HPTLC method wherein the Aflatoxin B1was found to be ranging from 1.61 ppb to 630.73 ppb of 77.42% positive samples, whereas by TLC method it was from 05 ppb to 140 ppb in 70.97% positive samples. While 4 samples of wheat bran analysed were all negative for Aflatoxin B1 by TLC method, whereas 50% (2 samples) found to be positive with HPTLC method with concentration ranging from 2.73 to 17.88.Similarly out of 59 feed samples analysed, 47 and 46 samples were positive for Aflatoxin B1 representing 79.66% and 77.97% of the samples, with concentration ranging from 0.54 ppb to 204.72 ppb and from 05 ppb to 710 ppb by HPTLC and TLC respectively. In the present study, the Limit of detection by HPTLC was 0.5 ppb whereas it was 5 ppb with TLC method.

A total of 30 maize samples, 30 deoiled rice bran (DORB), 20 groundnut oil cake (expeller) and 20 dried distillers’ grain soluble (DDGs) feeds samples were collected from different parts of Namakkal district. Aflatoxin B1 was estimated in all the samples by extracting the aflatoxin and spotted in an activated thin layer chromatography (TLC) plate with standards and ascertained the concentration by visual comparison method in a UV viewing cabinet. Among 30 samples of maize, analyzed for aflatoxin, 20 samples (60%) contained traces of aflatoxin and 8 samples contained between 10-30 ppb. Two samples contained between 50-100 ppb. Similarly, among 30 samples of DORB analyzed for aflatoxin, 24 samples contained traces of aflatoxin and five samples contained between 10-30 ppb. One sample contained between 50-100 ppb of aflatoxin. Three samples of GNC and Four samples of DDGS had 50-100 ppb of aflatoxin. It reveals that, very few samples of maize and DORB contained high level of aflatoxin. Hence the regular screening of toxins in every lot of feed prior to feeding the animals or poultry needs to be regularized.

The quantum of inclusion of concentrates in cattle feeding depends solely on availability and its price. An attempt was made to model and forecast the feed prices of dairy cattle feed in Tamil Nadu using time series data collected from Central Feed Technology Unit, Kattupakkam for the period from January 2012 to December 2022. Various time series models viz., Mean, Naïve, Random drift, Seasonal naive, Simple Exponential Smoothing, Holt linear, Holt-winter, Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average - ARIMA and Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average models were fitted. The error measures, parameter estimates, forecast estimates and plots were assessed to ascertain the best fit model. Random drift model and ARIMA (0,1,0) model were found to be the best fit models for dairy cattle feed. Further, Holt-winter multiplicative model and SARIMA (1,1,0)(1,0,1) model were identified as the best fit models for the dry cattle feed price forecasting. Thus, these models could be utilized by the various stakeholders to predict the short term price forecasts of cattle feed for efficient planning and making right decisions. 

The present study was aimed to assess the seroprevalence of brucellosis in sheep of Cauvery Delta region by collecting serum samples from apparently healthy sheep and sheep with the history of abortion. Serum samples from a total of about 123 animals including 64 from apparently healthy animals, 54 from animals with previous history of abortion and 5 from aborted animals were subjected to serological tests like Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), Standard Plate Agglutination Test (SPAT) and indirect Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay (i-ELISA). Molecular identification was carried out with the aborted materials from 5 animals with Bcsp31 gene. The prevalence rate of Brucellosis was 26.01 %, 22.76 % and 41.46 % by RBPT, SPAT and i-ELISA respectively. Among the 5 aborted animals, two were found to be positive for brucellosis with all the four diagnostic tests. Among the three serological tests, the highest seroprevalence of 41.46 % was observed when i-ELISA was used. However, RBPT was considered to be cost effective and easy to test. Hence, from this study it can be concluded that periodical screening of animals with cost effective serological tests for diseases like brucellosis, which is of economic and public health significance is mandatory to prevent the disease outbreak and economic loss to thefarmers.

A biological trial was conducted to investigate the effect of bacteriophage on carcass characteristics of commercial broilers with or without bacterial challenge. Totally 180 day old Vencobb broiler chicks were randomly allotted into five dietary treatments designated as T1 to T5 with each treatment replicated thrice. T1 and T2 served as negative and positive control respectively, while birds in T3, T4 and T5 were exposed to E. coli on different days during 35 days course. Dietary treatments included T1 - basal diet, T2 - basal diet with bacteriophage in feed (50 mg/bird/ day up to 7th day and 25 mg/bird/day up to 35th day), T3 without bacteriophage, T4-bacteriophage in feed (50 mg/bird/day up to 35th day) and T5 - bacteriophage in feed (50 mg/bird/day up to 7th day and 25mg/bird/ day up to 35th day). E. coli was introduced orally in groups T3 and T4 on day 10, while T5 on day 26 (106 CFU/ bird). The bacteriophage supplementation to E. coli challenged birds had significantly increased the weights of eviscerated carcass, giblets, ready-to-cook meat; the cut-up parts like breast, back and drumstick compared to non-supplemented group. Results shed light on the potential benefits of bacteriophage as a natural alternate approach to antibiotic growth promotors in broiler production.

A three year old, male, Dachshund dog, weighing 10 Kg was presented to Veterinary College Hospital, Hassan with the history of snake bite (Russell’s viper). On physical examination, animal was dull and depressed, face was swollen and fang marks were observed on the right side of the face and blood tinged fluid was oozing from the bitten area. Animal was evincing pain on palpation of swollen area. Haemato-biochemical findings were within the normal range except for thrombocytopenia. The case was diagnosed as snake envenomation and treated with polyvalent anti snake venom intravenously, along with 100 ml of 0.9 per cent normal saline, dexamethasone and antibiotics for 5 days. Animal made uneventful recovery after 5 days of treatment. 

With the aim to examine the effect of rearing systems on major meat quality traits in native ducks, appropriate experimental investigation was conducted. Research material included a total of 160 day-old native ducklings. The experiment was organized in two treatments with two replications each. Two different rearing systems were employed the intensive (cages) and extensive system (free-range). The native ducklings belonging to same hatch were procured from a local duck farmer and reared simultaneously for a period of ten weeks. Twelve ducks (six male and six female) from each treatment were chosen randomly and slaughtered at the end of rearing period to study meat quality traits in native ducks. Differences were significant (P<0.05) among sexes and rearing systems on pre slaughter live weight, eviscerated weight and various cut up parts, the corresponding values are higher for intensively reared ducks. Regarding sex, both male and female ducks exhibited differences considerably higher weight gain, carcass and cut up parts yield than that of female ducks.

A clinical parameter study was conducted to file the reference serum bio-chemical values of Bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) reared under captivity. The animals were chemically restrained and six blood samples (3 males and 3 females) were collected from the saphenous vein and processed. In this study, the mean ± S.E. of estimated value of serum biochemical profiles were close to the normal range reported earlier. But, serum glucose level was less and serum level of phosphorus was comparatively high.

Restraining gadget for Indian poisonous snakes like Indian cobra and Russell’s Viper were designed, using available infrastructures. Tongs, collapsible tubes and bags were designed and applied in the poisonous snakes in order to have better restraining activities. These snakes reared at Guindy Snake Park Trust were successfully restrained, using the gadgets developed. However these gadgets were found not suitable for restraining procedure associated with Saw scaled viper and Common krait. The gadgets developed were useful for zoo veterinarians for control of these serpentines.

To improve the production performance of white Guinea fowl, selective breeding was carried out continuously for six generation. A total 1000 Guinea fowl hatching eggs were procured from various government institutions and private entrepreneurs, and subsequently keets were hatched out and base population was created. The production traits were given due importance during selective breeding for six generations to improve both body weight and egg production. The traits such as hatch weight 4th, 8th, 12th,16th and 24 week body weight (g), FCR, livability, age at sexual maturity (days), Hen – Day Egg Production (HDEP) and Hen - Housed Egg Production (HHEP), annual egg number, egg weight (g), adult livability, total and fertile hatchability (%) were studied in all six generations. The day-old chick weight of all six generations ranged from 26.46 to 28.10 g. The 4th and 8th week mean body weight of the first generation white Guinea fowl was 180.85g and 481.69 g respectively, which increased to 220.95 g and 494.13 g, respectively in 6th generation. Similarly, the 12th and 16th week body weights in 1st generation increased from 767.12 g to 805.29 g and 951.04 g to 1079.15 g, respectively, at 6th generation. The linear regression analysis of 4th and 8th week body weight over generations revealed significant increment of 7.59 g and 7.72 g, respectively, per generation. Similarly, the 12th and 24th week body weight in each generation had a positive change with high degree of goodness of fit. The 12 and 16th week FCR showed a positive change of high magnitude over generations. The hen day and hen housed egg production (29-51 weeks) from 1st generation to 6th generation increased from 39.26 to 40.55 % and 37.53 to 38.83 %, respectively, during the course of selection. The total and fertile egg hatchability also showed marked changes due to selection with values varying from 49.52 to 53.14 % and 71.37 to 72.38 % across the generations. This study concluded that the multi stage short-term selection can improve both body weight and egg production in white Guinea fowl.