This study is planned to assess the socio-economic profile, cost economics in feeding and impact of brewery waste utilization among dairy farmers in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu. For this purpose, a survey was conducted in six blocks with one village per block and 15 farmers per village constituting a total of 90 respondents. Data was collected through personal interview method with the help of pretested interview schedule. The survey results indicated that majority of the farmers are in the age of 33 - 47 years and the family size of the respondents is less than 5. More than 50% of the farmers had experience of 10 years in dairy farming practices and the annual income from dairy farming was higher than agriculture sector. All farmers were providing their milch animals with green and dry fodder and the total cost incurred varied from Rs.38.97/- to Rs.29.53/day/animal during milch period and from Rs. 31.66/- to Rs.25.38/day/animal during the dry period. In concentrate mixture, the main ingredients reported were bran, husk, rice gruel and oil cakes and total cost incurred varied from Rs.112.74 to Rs.43.04/day/animal during milch period and from Rs.73.25 to Rs.24.95/day/ animal during the dry period. The mean milk production varied between 5.37 lts to 9.51 lts/day/animal and the cost/ltr of milk varied between Rs.13.50 to Rs.15.95/ltr. It is imperative to note that 38.89% of the farmers were utilizing unconventional feeds such as tapioca powder, tamarind seed, brewery waste and dried distillers’ grain soluble (DDGS) to feed their dairy cattle. Also, from the survey it is inferred that dairy farmers should be sensitised more on the scientific ways of feeding lactating dairy cattle to augment milk production and thereby to increase their livelihood security.

A biological trial was conducted at Department of Poultry Science, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai to evaluate the effect of inclusion of RDDGS in commercial broiler diet on hematological, serum biochemical parameters. A total of 144 commercial day-old broiler chickens were allotted to four treatments with three replicates and 12 birds per replicate. Experimental diets were prepared by including RDDGS at 0, 5, 10, 15% at the expense of soyabean meal was prepared to be nearly isocaloric and isonitrogenous as per BIS (2007) standards. At the end of the experiment blood was collected from one male and one female from each replicate and analyzed for serum biochemical and hematological parameters. Statistical analysis of data revealed that there was no significant (P>0.05) difference in the hematological, serum biochemical and intestinal histomorphology parameters. It can be concluded that the RDDGS can be included up to 15% in commercial broiler diets without effecting the hematological and serum biochemical parameters.

Growth dynamics of buffalo population and milk production and productivity in Tamil Nadu was analysed. Point to point annual compound growth rate (ACGR) was calculated to assess the trend in buffalo population and continuous annual compound growth rate (ACGR) for milk production and productivity. The share of Tamil Nadu to National buffalo population decreased from 5.29 to 0.72 % (1951 to 2012) and the buffalo milk production reduced from 4.01 to 0.46% (2001-02 to 2015-16). The ACGR of buffalo population in Tamil Nadu was -17.23% during the last inter-census period (2007-12). North Eastern and Cauvery Delta agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu registered high negative growth. The annual compound growth rate of buffalo milk production during 2011-12 to 2015-16 in  Southern zone was -27.37% and it was - 21.72% in North Eastern and -20.93 % in Cauvery Delta zone with overall ACGR of -16.85%. The ACGR of buffalo milk productivity was 0.61% (2001-02 to 2015-16) in Tamil Nadu, while the rate was 1.58% in India. Hence, rigorous implementation of buffalo development programmes is a prime requisite and need of the hour for improving buffalo population and milk production in Tamil Nadu.

Food wastes of vegetable origin fed to pigs contained significantly (P<0.05) higher metabolizable energy, comparable crude protein and lower dry matter, crude fibre, total ash, calcium, phosphorus, copper and iron compared to pregnant gilt feed (NRC, 1998). To optimize the food wastes for nutrients to be comparable with pregnant gilt feed, de-oiled rice bran at 33% and mineral mixture at 2% were added as supplement for food wastes on DM basis. A feeding trial was conducted in 18 large white Yorkshire crossbred bred gilts. The treatment groups were pregnant gilt feed (T 1 ), food wastes as sole feed (T 2 ) and food wastes + evolved supplement (T 3 ) with 6 animals in each treatment. The gestation body weight gain and gestation length did not differ (P<0.05) significantly among the treatment groups. No significant difference in litter size, litter weight at birth and weaning weight were observed among the treatment groups. Higher per cent stillborns and per cent piglet mortality was observed in T 2 compared to T 1 and T 3 . The average birth weight and weaning weight of piglets were significantly (P<0.05) lower in T 2 . Supplementation to food wastes (T 3 ) increased the piglet birth weight and weaning weight comparable to T 1 . Sows body weight after farrowing and at the time of weaning and lactation body weight loss did not differ significantly (P<0.05) among the treatment groups.

The possibility of production of hormone-free all male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in F2  generation, through the production of YY super males in F1 generation, was investigated in the present study. Feminization of Nile tilapia was carried out using the hormone, 17 beta estradiol at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg concentrations, orally through feed. The hormone enhanced the growth significantly (p<0.05) both in terms of length (55.39±0.67 cm) and weight (55.39±0.67 g) at 300 mg/kg feed when compared to other treatments and control. With the increasing concentrations (300 mg/kg) of the hormone, the survival rate decreased significantly (p<0.05) to 62±1.53%. The feminization rates increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing concentrations of the hormone, with the highest feminization percentage of 98.27±0.87% observed at 300 mg/kg concentration of the hormone. Two fish from F generation with the PIT tag numbers 81 and 88 produced all male progeny which was confirmed through morphological examination. The genotype of these two YY supermales was re-confirmed through molecular genotyping with the help of primers amhX1+36 and amhdY+5 DNA markers, specific to X and Y chromosomes, respectively using RAPD-PCR.

An attempt was made to document the management practices of the backyard goat production in Cauvery Delta zone of Tamil Nadu. The primary data were collected by interviewing 180 backyard goat farmers selected by multi-stage random sampling using pre-tested interview schedule and analyzed through descriptive statistics. About 46.11 per cent of the respondents kept their animals under open system of housing and floor of the goat shed was mud type in 96.67 per cent of the sampled farmers. All the farmers stored manure in an open place. Majority of goat farmers raise their goats solely on browsing and grazing stubble of field crops, natural pasture and tree leaves. Majority of farmers did not possess their own breeding buck but they use community buck for breeding purpose. Middlemen (57.22 per cent) played a major role in marketing of goat in all categories of flocks, followed by butcher (36.11 per cent). Only one-fifth of flock owners dewormed their flocks yearly twice. None of the sample respondents vaccinated their goat against infectious diseases. Goats were marketed round the year (87.78 per cent) and about 12 per cent marketed their goats on special occasions. The major reasons for marketing was found to be the want of money to overcome financial problem (61.07 mean score) in case of bucks / male kids and culling due to old age (66.00 mean score) in case of breeding does. Majority of the sample backyard goat farmers did not follow scientific  management practices at their farm level, which warrants intensive extension programmes. Implementation of best management practices among backyard goat farmers in Cauvery Delta zone of Tamil Nadu would improve the profitability.

A study was conducted to identify the suitable planting material (stem cuttings/ root slips) for propagation of Cumbu Napier Hybrid Grass Co(BN)5 understorey Cocus nucifera with different fertilizers and manures and to examine the nutritive value of the fodder. The experiment had seven treatments replicated thrice, T1 (Stem cuttings for propagation-Control), T2 (Stem cuttings + Recommended dose of fertilizer), T3 (Root slips + Recommended dose of fertilizer), T4  (Stem cuttings + Farm yard manure@10t/ha), T5 (Root slips + Farm yard manure @ 10t/ha), T6  (Stem cuttings + Farm yard manure @10t/ha + Recommended dose of fertilizer) and T7  (Root slips + Farm yard manure @10t/ha + Recommended dose of fertilizer). No significant (P>0.05) variations were observed in the yield irrespective of planting material and manuring. Significantly highest plant height was observed in Root slips + Farm yard manure @10t/ha + Recommended dose of fertilizer (T7), the number of tillers / plant and leaves per tiller, were significantly highest in Stem cuttings + Farm yard manure @10t/ha + Recommended dose of fertilizer (T6), leaves per clump were significantly highest in T6 and T7. No significant variation existed in the fortnightly body weight, average daily gain and dry matter intake of animals fed Cumbu Napier hybrid grass Co(CN)4 Vs Cumbu Napier hybrid grass Co(BN)5. However, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) in the IVth week was significantly better in Cumbu Napier hybrid grass Co(BN)5 fed cattle. It was concluded that to cultivate Co(BN)5 understorey Cocus nucifera stem cutting with application of farm yard manure and recommended dose of fertilizer was the best practice.

A study was carried out to assess the effect of dietary crude protein on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Kadaknath chicken up to 12th weeks of age. A total of 240-day old Kadaknath chicks were purchased from the College of Poultry Production and Management, TANUVAS, Hosur and wing banded, weighed individually and distributed randomly into four experimental groups with three replicates of 20 chicks each. Four experimental diets were formulated with four levels of crude protein viz., 14, 16, 18 and 20 per cent with 2800 kcal/kg ME. Growth performance and carcass characteristics were studied. All the data generated were statistically analysed and interpreted. The Kadaknath chicken fed with 20 per cent crude protein with 2800 kcal /kg ME had highest 12th week body weight (1018.66± 55.19 g ) when compared to other treatment groups. The carcass characteristics of Kadaknath chicken showed significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) among treatment groups for eviscerated carcass weight, eviscerated carcass yield, ready-to-cook weight, ready-to-cook yield and per cent giblets. The per cent cut–up parts of Kadaknath chicken at 12 th week of age did not show significant difference among treatment groups. The present study concluded that Kadaknath chicken fed with higher crude protein (20 % CP) resulted in significantly higher 12th week body weight, eviscerated carcass and ready-to-cook yield.

The present case describes the successful vaginal delivery of a buffalo calf with Aplasia Cutis Congenita co-existence with Ablepharon Macrostomia Syndrome (AMS) in a graded Murrah buffalo.

The present study was aimed to study the comparative anatomy of Pectoral bones in pigeon and conure bird. In both the birds Pectoral bones were composed of Humerus, Radius and ulna, carpals, Carpometacarpus and Digits. Humerus of conure on its medial tuberosity well marked facet was noticed. Bones of forearm in both pigeon and conure were composed of thicker ulna and slender Radius. Carpometacarpus was composed of three bony elements. Digits of both the birds were three in number. Pigeons have strong well developed Pectoral bones and are strongest flyer when compared to that of conure. The anatomical feature of Pectoral bones in pigeon was similar to that of conure but had few variations.