nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; The pelvic girdle of Chinese goose was a large, elongated bone, narrow cranially (3.0 cm) and wide (8.0 cm) caudally. It consisted of two os coxae, each of which was made up of an ilium, an ischium and a pubis. The ilium of the Chinese goose was the largest and longest (14 cm) bone of the os coxae. The pre-acetabular part of the ilium was 6.80 cm long and 2.0 cm wide. The post-acetabular part of ilium was 7.2 cm long. The ilioneural canal was slightly broad in front and narrow caudally. The pelvic surface of ilium showed six openings on either side of the bodies of the lumbosacral mass. The ischiatic foramen was 3.60 cm long and 1.20 cm wide. The ischium was triangular in shape and 7.50 cm long. The caudal border of the pelvis was wide (7.50 cm) and showed a deep notch. The pubis was long (12.0cm), thin, bent rod-like bone, projected well beyond the caudal border of the os coxae and bent medially. The pectineal process was short and rounded. Pneumatic foramina were absent in the os coxae of the Chinese goose. The acetabulum was large and formed by all the three bones. The anti-trochanter was quadrilateral in shape and prominent.

In present day, supplementation of extra minerals and vitamins is highly essential in commercial diets due to high productivity and to withstand the detrimental effects of different stresses. Selenium is one of essential trace minerals for better growth and productivity as well as anti-stressor in commercial broilers. Nano-selenium can effectively be synthesized through High Energy Ball Milling (HEBM) technique from its precursor, for use in commercial broilers as anti-stressor and to support multiple bodily functions. The prepared nano particle had 44.5 % of selenium as measured by Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDAX) analysis with the product yield of 50 g/hr. The chemical composition of sodium selenite powder was same as that of the original mega particle. The size of Se nano particle ranged from 37-85 nm as analyzed through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). X-Ray diffraction pattern confirmed that the synthesized Se nano particle was free of impurities and provided accurate information on the atomic arrangements. The Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectrum of synthesized nano particle source of selenium peaks was located at 3023.26, 2800.12, 2502.23, 2314.17, 1610.40 and 1413.30 cm-1 which showed chemical bonding in a target material. The zeta potential of nano selenium was -23.30 mV when analyzed through particle size analyzer. Se nano-particles could be successfully synthesized through High Energy Ball Milling method from its precursor and could be characterized for its quantity, size, shape, stability and purity. The synthesized Se nano-particles could be utilized for the conduct of biological trial in commercial broilers.

‘New generation’ Dried Distillers’ Grains with Solubles (DDGS) collected from modern ethanol plants were analysed for its nutritional composition and included in the diet to assess the performance of commercial Vanaraja chickens. Six numbers of commercial ‘new generation’ DDGS samples collected from modern ethanol plants were analyzed for their basic nutrient composition and amino acid profile. Five isocaloric and isonitrogenous experimental diets containing graded levels of ‘new generation’ DDGS (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10% DDGS) were formulated as per ICAR-DPR standards for Vanaraja chickens basis, and fed for chicks (9 replicate pens containing 6 chicks each) of commercial dual purpose birds of Vanaraja strain for the period of 6 weeks. Growth performance of birds was recorded at 7, 14, 21, 35 and 42 days of age and 9 representative birds per treatment (one each from replicate pen) were randomly selected and processed to study their carcass yield and characteristics. The ME and CP content of ‘new generation’ DDGS is 2850±57 Kcal/Kg and 27.35±1.16%, respectively. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in the growth performance of birds during chick stage (7 to 21 days) and during early finishing stage (35 days) birds fed diets containing ≥5.0% ‘new generation’ DDGS had shown lower weight gain and significantly (P<0.05) poor feed conversion compared to Control. There was no significant difference in the carcass yield and its characteristics between the dietary treatments. Good quality protein rich ‘new generation’ DDGS can be used (10%) in the diets fed to commercial Vanaraja chickens without significant impact on overall performance of birds.

Fodder quality and availability are major determinants in profitable ruminant production system. Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Tamil Nadu and other related institutions promote fodder production through several schemes and projects. Intensive fodder production through promotion of sustainable fodder production model under irrigated condition is one among them. The objective of the present study was to validate the fodder production potential of the ten-cent model for livestock feeding. In livestock farm complex Madhavaram, ten-cent model fodder plot was established with Hybrid Napier grass variety Co (BN) 5 in 4 cents area; fodder maize (African Tall) in 1 cent; fodder sorghum (CoFS 31) in 2 cents; fodder cowpea (Co 8) and Velimasal (Desmanthus virgatus) in 1.5 cents area each; Agathi (Sesbania grandiÀora) and Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) were cultivated as boundary plantation. Standard agronomical management practices were adopted during the study period (15 months) and fodder was harvested at specified intervals. The total biomass yield realized was 9918 kg. The average yield/cut (kg) of Co5, sorghum, maize, cow pea, Desmanthus and Agathi/Subabul were 1340.0, 264.6, 160.0, 178.0, 71.0 and 98.0 kg respectively. Highest fodder yield was noticed during south west monsoon season (2492.0 kg) followed by north east monsoon season (1796.5 kg) and lowest yield noticed in summer season (1465.0 kg). The total CP and TDN yield (on dry matter basis) of ten-cent model fodder plot, estimated from available standards were 1121.71 kg and 5586.58 kg respectively during the study period. The results of this study revealed that quantity and quality of fodder harvested from the ten-cent model fodder plot can support one cattle or five goats for a year. It is possible to sustain one cow or five goats through fodder production in the ten-cent model fodder plot.

An experiment was conducted by feeding diets with different levels of lysine (1.20, 1.30 and 1.40 % in pre-starter diet, 1.10, 1.20 and 1.30 % in starter diet and 0.95, 1.05 and 1.15% in finisher diet) and methionine (0.45, 0.55 and 0.65% in pre-starter diet, 0.40, 0.50 and 0.60 % in starter diet and 0.35, 0.45 and 0.55 % in finisher diet) to commercial broilers for a period of five weeksto assess the cumulative feed consumption and feed conversion ratio in environmentally controlled and open sided deeplitter housing system. The results of the study revealed that broilers reared in environmentally controlled housing system consumed more feed than in open sided housing system. In addition the housing system also inÀuenced the feed conversion ratio irrespective of various combinations of dietary lysine and methionine in broilers.

Sugarcane press mud (SPM) is one of the potential agro-industrial by-products available in India and research exploring its utilisation in ruminant nutrition is scanty. In this direction, the present study evaluated the feasibility of dietary incorporation of SPM at graded levels in a feeding trial lasting 180 days to crossbred growing calves. A total of 18 numbers ofJersey crossbred growing calves were randomly distributed into three groups of six each based on comparable body weight (90.70±3.43Kg) and age (~5 Months) following a completely randomised design. The three dietary treatments were SP0, concentrate mixture without SPM; SP10, concentrate mixture comprising 10% SPM and SP20, concentrate mixture comprising 20% SPM on air-dry basis.The experimental calves were offered weighed quantity of designated isonitrogenous and isoenergetic concentrate mixture (coarse mash) along with ad libitum Co-FS 29 (chopped to 1-2 cm length) to fulfil nutrient requirements prescribed by Indian Council of Agriculture and a 6 days digestion trial was conducted towards end of the feeding trial. Representative pooled sub-sample of daily collected and acid preserved urine samples were analysed for purine derivatives to assess the microbial N supply to host animals. Blood samples were collected on 0, 60, 120,and 180 day of experiment to assess the metabolic status of growing calves. Results revealed no significant (P>0.05) differences in the intake and digestibility of basal nutrients, nitrogen balance, nutritive value of diets, average daily gain as well as feed conversion ratio among the treatment groups. Dietary Caretained by growing calves was significantly (P<0.05) higher in SP20 as compared to SP0. Urinary purine derivatives concentrations and serum biochemical parameters were did not differ (P>0.05) among the treatments. The cost of formulated concentrate mixture (Rs/day) was reduced (P<0.05) in SP20 (Rs.36.80) followed by SP10 (Rs.39.70) when compared to SP0 (Rs.42.44). These findings suggested that SPM could be safely fed up to 20% level in the concentrate mixture by substituting expensive traditional feed ingredients without negatively inflicting the performance of growing crossbred calves.

The study was conducted on pregnant bitches at Small Animal Gynaecology Ward, Department of Clinics, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai- 600007, Tamil Nadu to evaluate the use of four-dimensional (4D) ultrasonography in staging embryonic and fetal development and for predicting the pregnancy outcome and to study the fetal anomalies and fetal resorptionin bitches. Twelve pregnant bitches of different breeds of 10 to 40 kg body weight were the experimental animals for the study. All the twelve pregnant bitches were subjected to both 2D and 4D ultrasound examinations at days 30, 40, 50 and 60 post breeding. The accuracy of gestational age prediction based on gestational sac diameter and head diameter using 4D ultrasound was studied and compared with 2D (two-dimensional) ultrasound. The present paper reports the use of 4D ultrasonography in diagnosing fetal activity, fetal anomalies and fetal resorption in bitches.  

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of turmeric powder on production performance and egg quality characteristics of Rhodo White (RW) layers. Seventy two RW layers were weighed individually and distributed randomly into four turmeric powder supplemented reated experimental diets with three replicates of six layers each and the experimental diet was given for a period of 20 weeks from 26 to 45 weeks age of the birds. There was no significant difference in total egg production, hen day egg production (HDEP) and hen housed egg production (HHEP) among the treatment groups. The feed intake in all treatment groups was almost similar during 26 to 45 weeks of birds. Turmeric powder did not inÀuence the feed intake and feed efficiency in all treatment groups. A non-significant difference was observed in egg quality characteristics. The egg yolk cholesterol was significantly (P<0.01) reduced by 18.59 %, 24.91 % and 33.24 % in 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15 % turmeric powder supplemented groups respectively than control. It was concluded that the inclusion of turmeric powder did not inÀuence the production performance & egg quality characteristics and however the egg cholesterol level was significantly reduced at 0.15 % in RW layers

Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) is the causative agent of colibacillosis in broiler chicken and various antibacterials used to control the infection may lead to the development of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and pan drug-resistant bacteria. Further, antibacterial resistant bacteria also emerge as a result of inappropriate use of antibacterials in chicken, reducing the efficacy of antibacterials used for medical purposes. Keeping this in view, this study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial property of vitamin C against resistant bacteria when used along with enrofloxacin. A total of 60 liver swabs collected from the field were used in this study. E. coli were isolated using selective media and were genotypically confirmed by amplification of Adk gene. The resistant genes (qnrA, qnrB and qnrS) were detected through PCR. E. coli isolates were subjected to antimicrobial screening against enrofloxacin and vitamin C (L- ascorbic acid) both by qualitative method and quantitative method. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion revealed enrofloxacin resistance in 83.33 percent of samples. The MIC of enrofloxacin against resistant isolates was 90.25 μg/ml, but when vitamin C was administered, the MIC was non-significantly lowered to 86.16 μg/ml in the macro broth dilution method. It was also found that vitamin C alone exhibited antibacterial activity at a concentration of ≥ 5 mg/ml. Hence, it is likely that vitamin C may improve antibacterial effects of enrofloxacin in poultry.

A study on effect of supplementary feeding of creep feed in Pattanam sheep lambs was conducted in its breeding tract of Tamil Nadu, India. Total number of 90 Pattanam sheep lambs at the age of one month were selected in the farmers flock and divided into three groups each comprising of 30 lambs, assigned to the following treatments and reared upto three months. In T-1 (control) 30 lambs were maintained by routine feeding management by farmers, in T-2 30 lambs were fed with concentrate supplementation at the rate of 50 gms per lamb per day along with routine feeding management by farmers and in T-3 30 lambs were reared by concentrate feeding at the rate of 50 gms per lamb per day with mineral supplementation through salt lick block along with routine feeding management by farmers. Fortnightly body weight (kg) and average daily gain (gms) was recorded to assess the influence of supplementation on growth rate of lambs in farmers flock. At start of the trial the overall body weight of lambs was 8.45 ± 0.91 which was non-significant. Fortnightly body weight was 9.78 ± 2.21, 10.98 ± 1.54, 11.77± 1.73 and 12.09 ± 1.73 in first, second, third and fourth fortnights respectively. Between groups significant difference (P< 0.05) in body weight gain was observed in first fortnight and highly significant difference (P< 0.01) was observed during subsequent fortnight. Average daily gain (g) was recorded as 88.67, 80.00, 52.67 and 26.00 during first, second, third and fourth fortnight, respectively. It can be observed that the lambs under T3 had superior ADG followed by the lambs under T2 and T1.