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 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. 

The identification and development of new and effective alternatives to antibiotics that do not hinder productivity assumes paramount importance in the context of antimicrobial resistance and food safety. In recent years, phytobiotics have been used as natural growth promoters in ruminants, poultry and swine, to improve growth and health. A wide variety of herbs, spices and essential oils have been used individually or as blends in poultry for their potential application as alternative growth promoters. In nursery and growing pigs supplemented with phytobiotics, intestinal pathogens were inhibited and beneficial microbial population that contributes to improving digestion and absorption of nutrients were increased resulting in increased weight gain and decrease in diarrheal syndrome. The inclusion of essential oils in the diet of finishing pigs, improved the productive yield and carcass characteristics. It also reduced the incidence of therapeutic treatment and mortality. Natural plant products have the potential to improve rumen fermentation, reduce loss of feed energy, improve animal health and productivity, increase animal lifetime performance, and reduce greenhouse gases production in ruminants. Phytobiotics with wide range of activities, is projected as a feed additive for higher market growth compared to other alternatives to antibiotics in the feed industry.

The current study was designed to evaluate the influence of three different ground vegetable oil seeds on various physico-chemical, microbiological and sensory attributes of chicken sausages from spent broiler breeder hen stored under frozen (-18±1°C) condition. Chicken sausages were incorporated with ground poppy, sesame and peanut seeds each at 10 % level separately as three treatments and were analyzed for their keeping quality along with high fat control. The mean values of FFA, TBARS, tyrosine values, standard plate count, psychrophilic count and yeast and moulds counts were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by formulation during frozen storage and values increased significantly (P<0.05) throughout the storage period in all chicken sausages. Chicken sausages with ground sesame scored lowest standard plate counts (5.66 log CFU/g) than any others after 180 days of storage at 18±1°C. Coli forms, lacto bacillus and anaerobic counts could not be detected during entire storage period. Scores for all sensory attributes decreased significantly (P<0.05) during storage in all treatments irrespective of formulation. Study proved that, the three ground vegetable oil seeds were effective by delaying the lipid oxidation, microbial growth and preserving sensory quality during frozen storage and among them ground sesame seed was more potent to be a better preservative.

Nano silver particles are valuable alternative for antibiotics and disinfectants as it is relatively free of adverse effects. Nano silver particles (AgNPs) have new physical and chemical characteristics enabling it to have a strong antibacterial activity and used today more as a high disinfectant in poultry farms. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of 10, 20 and 50 ppm of Ag-NPs as egg shell sanitizer and assess the microbial count on the egg shell surface during different storage conditions. The total bacterial count on the egg shell and egg quality characteristics were carried out on 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of storage after sanitation. Presence of nano silver and distribution on egg shell surface were determined using transmission electron microscopy. Results showed that bacterial loads on the egg shell were declined with the increased concentration of Ag-NPs used and the 50 ppm concentration of Ag-NPs had 1-3 log reduction in the total bacterial count on one day after disinfection in the egg shell surface which were comparable with the positive control (1% Kohrsolin) used in the trial. However, the external and internal qualities of eggs did not show any significance difference among different treatments during different storage days. However, nano silver 50 ppm had comparatively better zone of inhibition than 10 and 20 ppm levels in disc diffusion method. This study concluded that using Ag-NPs at 50 ppm concentration in disinfecting chicken egg can effectively reduce bacterial load on egg shell.

A study was planned to analyze the changes in livestock population growth rates and its trends in Tiruvarur district. Tiruvarur shares 2.94 per cent of goat and 2.1 per cent of cattle population to the respective population of Tamil Nadu. The remaining livestock species (buffalo, sheep, pig and poultry) including poultry share of Tiruvarur to states respective species population was negligible, contributing less than one per cent. Recent 20th census, evinced a positive growth rate with highest favourable growth rate of 64.65 per cent for poultry, followed by 2.3 per cent in cattle and 1.44 per cent for goat population of Tiruvarur. Negative growth rates were recorded for other species, which was found to be similar to the state population growth trend. Tiruvarur had a decrease in total livestock population and species-wise too showing negative growth rates between inter census period. Percentage population change over from the base year was 3.23% for goat whereas this was on negative trend for all other species. Analyzing the compositional share of livestock population, goat had the highest share with 53.03±2.62 per cent. All other livestock showed a decreasing trend from 16th to 20th census in Tiruvarur livestock population change. Inadequate infrastructure facilities (77.3%) topped among the five constraints analysed, followed by non-availability of feeds and fodders, mortality and environmental factors. Least constraint was found to be marketing facility. It can be concluded that increasing demand for goat meat, which fetch high remunerative price along with easy managemental practices and favorable conducive environment than other livestock, makes goat farming a highly suitable farming system for Tiruvarur.

A study was conducted to evaluate the biomass yield and proximate composition of biomass from the natural pastures of Madras Red sheep. Eight villages were selected from the habitat of Madras Red sheep and 40 samples each during  rainy and summer season were collected to assess the biomass yield and proximate composition. The study showed that biomass yield and proximate composition were higher during the rainy season during which these sheep completed their breeding, reproduction and lactation. The total dry matter content was higher during the summer season which was able to meet maintenance requirement of sheep during these months. Farmers managed these animals without any supplementary feeding, but during summer the animals were let in the harvested fields where they had access to crop residues for grazing.

In the present study, the expression pattern of OAS-1 and MX-2 gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was associated with the early pregnancy in cattle. A total of 60 animals were selected and divided into 2 groups, treatment (50) and control (10) group and synchronized using double PGF2α protocol by 11 days apart followed by insemination at 72 and 96 hrs after second dose of PGF2α. The cows were subjected to blood collection on day 0, 14, 18, 20 and 25 post insemination and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) were harvested using Histopaque® solution, followed by RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis. A significantly (P≤0.01) higher expression of OAS-1 and MX-2 gene was observed on days 18 and 20 post oestrum by quantitative real-time PCR and concentration of MX-2 protein in serum were significantly higher (P≤0.05) on day 18, 20 and 25 in pregnant cows when compared with that of non-pregnant cows. Hence, the present study is concluded that the expression of OAS-1 and MX-2 genes and their encoded proteins may be used to develop a marker for early pregnancy diagnosis in cattle.

A pluriparous non-descript doe was presented with the history of dystocia. Clinical investigation revealed the presence of closed cervix and lodged multiple foetuses in the tract. Laparo-hysterotomy was performed and four foetuses were relieved, of which one was alive, one was still born and the other two were mummified. Thus the present report describes the incidence of quadruplets in a doe comprising of dual mummies along with a stillborn and a live kid.