Effect of introgressing dwarf gene from Bangladeshi indigenous to exotic breeds on egg production

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of introgressing autosomal recessive dwarf gene (adw) from Bangladeshi indigenous (deshi) dwarf (DD) chicken to Rhode Island Red (RIR), White Leghorn (WLH) and Fayoumi (FO) on body weight and egg production. Deshi normal (DN), DD, RIR, WLH and FO were used in crossings to produce 8 genotypes; RIR, WLH, FO, DN, DD, RIR x DD, WLH x DD and FO x DD. At 19 weeks of age, for separation of crossbreds into normal and dwarf on the basis of shank length, altogether gave 11 genetic groups; RIR, WLH, FO, DN, DD, RIR x DD normal, WLH x DD normal, FO x DD normal, RIR x DD dwarf, WLH x DD dwarf and FO x DD dwarf. At 19 weeks of age, 154 pullets; 14 from each genetic group were individually caged up to 42 weeks of age to compare egg production performance. Introgression of adw gene significantly reduced mature body weight and feed intake and adw pullets utilized feed more efficiently into egg mass in comparison with their normal size counterparts. Conservation and improvement of deshi adw chicken is suggested for their future use in breeding for egg production

Vitamin C and electrolyte supplementation to support growth and meat yield of broilers in a hot humid environment

The study was aimed at determining the effects of Vitamin C and electrolyte on growth and meat yield of broilers in a hot humid environment. A total of 60 straight run day old Cobb 500 broilers were reared up to 35 days of age and fed ad libitum on a starter diet up to 12 days and thereafter, on a grower diet. The broilers were divided into 4 treatment groups. One group (15 broilers) without Vitamin C and electrolyte supplementation was considered as control. In other three groups were provided 135ppm Vitamin C, 1250ppm electrolyte and 135ppm Vitamin C + 1250ppm electrolyte in drinking water respectively as supplement. Feed intake, body weight, feed conversion and survivability were similar in broilers that received different levels of Vitamin C and electrolyte supplementation in drinking water. Feed cost per broiler and per kg broiler increased due to the addition of Vitamin C and electrolyte. Dressing yield, breast meat, total meat and wing meat were (P<0.05) higher in broilers that received Vitamin C in drinking water than those of control, electrolyte and Vitamin C + electrolyte supplemented groups. No differences (P>0.05) were found in breast: dark meat, thigh meat, drumstick meat and abdominal fat which could be attributed to either Vitamin C or electrolyte supplementation. It implies that deficiency of Vitamin C may be related to reduce meat yield of broilers in a hot humid environment. However, further experiment using several doses of Vitamin C with large number of broilers may be conducted to confirm the appropriate doses of supplementation

Pattern and problem of poultry consumption by the rural and urban families of Fulbaria Upazila

The pattern and problem of poultry consumption by the rural and urban families of Fulbaria upazilla were studied. Data were collected through interview schedule from 100 respondents (50 from rural area and 50 from urban area). Problem confrontation index (PCI) in urban area 27 to 143 against the possible range of 0 to 150 and in rural area 33 to 138 against the possible 0 to 150. Overall area PCI was 60 to 281 against the possible range of 0 to 300. Nonavailability of day old chicks, lack of optimum amount of feed, unbalanced diets and fluctuating prices of eggs and meat were the acute problems hampered the consumption of poultry. The average farm size in urban and rural areas was 167.84 and 233.94 decimal. Livestock population consisted of 80% poultry and 20% large animal. Poultry contributed 4% of the total income in the rural area and 3% in the urban area. Rural people have less knowledge on health and nutrition than that of urban people. Poultry consumption in both rural and urban area is certainly very low. A positive correlation of age with poultry consumption implies that per capita poultry consumption is higher for older people. Reverse case is expected to build a healthy society. From correlations it can be concluded that in urban area increased farm size, increased livestock population, increased income, better knowledge on health and nutrition and decreased family size should increase per capita poultry consumption. Correlations also indicate that decreased family size and better knowledge on health and nutrition could minimize problems of poultry consumption. In rural area correlations computed impress that increased literacy, increased farm size, increased livestock population, increased income and better knowledge on health and nutrition should increase per capita poultry consumption. Whereas, increased income could remove problems of poultry consumption

Disposal of layer droppings reared in case and impact on environmental pollution

A study evaluated the droppings disposal in layer farm and measures adapted to protect environmental pollution. Data were collected from 20 randomly selected layer farmers by a semi structured personal interview schedule from Sadar upazilla of Mymensingh. The independent variables such as age and gender of farmers, family size educational qualification occupation etc. and the dependent variables such as flock size, age of birds, feed consumption, egg and dropping production, cleaning of dropping etc. were studied. The feed consumption and droppings production/layer/day were 116.54 and 151.65g, respectively. Hen housed egg production was 80.55%. The cost for cleaning, price of droppings and profit on droppings sale/layer/day were Tk 0.01, 0.07 and 0.07 respectively. Half of farmer received maximum earning from droppings in winter. Most of the farmers had single storied house and used ceiling fan. Most of the farmers clean droppings in alternate day in the morning by the male worker using belcha to minimize environmental pollution and half of them used disinfectants. Average time required/day to clean droppings was 83.00 minute. Majority of the farmer consider cleaning of droppings to be a real problem for odour and gas (NH3) emission. Majority farmers stored droppings at high land as an open pit. Average distance between pit and shed was 58.33m. The highest proportion of the farmers used droppings in the crop field by composting while others sold to fisheries. Majority of the respondents opined that feed, droppings, dead birds, medicinal wastes and odour do not cause environmental pollution. Droppings disposal is a real problem for aesthetic, public safety and environmental point of view. Cleaning technique and tools needed to be modernized for efficient and cost effective cleaning. Standard method needed to be introduced for proper treatment and use of droppings to maximize its use and benefit