Carcass traits of crossbred (Landrace × Desi) barrows reared with different floor space allowances under intensive system

Present study assessed the effect of floor space allowances on carcass traits of crossbred (Landrace × Desi) barrows in Indian conditions. Crossbred barrows (36) were reared with 3 different floor space allowances (12 each) having group size of 4 pigs/pen. One group (TIS) was provided floor space as per Indian Standards (0.9, 1.35 and 1.8 m2/pig for weaner, grower and finisher stages, respectively) specifications, while other two groups with 33% (T2/3) and 50% (T1/2) reduced floor space allowances. Pigs were reared up to 29 weeks of age. Final weight of pigs did not differ significantly among the groups. Six animals from each group were slaughtered. None of the major economic carcass traits, viz. carcass weight, dressing %, back fat thickness (BFT), loin eye area (LEA), estimated lean meat percentage etc. was adversely affected. Major cut-up parts, share of edible as well as inedible offal and composition of pork (moisture, CP and EE) also did not differ among groups. It indicates scope of 50 % reduction in floor space allowance for pig production in India without affecting final body weight and major carcass characteristics

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Not AvailablePresent investigation was carried out to study the behaviour of pigs at 33 and 50% reduced floor space allowances in relation to Indian standards (IS: 3916-1966) for housing of pigs. Crossbred (Landrace × Desi) barrows (36) were reared with 3 different floor space allowances (n = 4 (group size) × 3 (replications) = 12 each) i.e. group TIS (control) had floor space allowance as per Indian standards, while T2/3 and T1/2 treatment groups had 33 and 50% reduced floor space allocation per pig. Accordingly, during weaner (6–14 weeks), grower (15–22 weeks) and finisher (23–28 weeks) stages, 3 different floor spaces were provided. During each growth stage (weaner/grower/finisher), activities of each unit (consisting of 4 animals) were recorded thrice in sessions of 2 consecutive hours (an hour before (preprandial) and after (prandial and postprandial) offering of second meal in afternoon). Total time spent in agonistic activities did not differ among the groups. However, parallel pressing agonistic activity was more in T1/2 group during grower and finisher stages at prandial and postprandial time while in TIS group during weaner stage at preprandial time. Time spent resting was higher in TIS group at prandial and postprandial time during weaner stage while it was higher in T2/3 group during grower stage. Exploratory activities and social interactions were maximum in T2/3 group during weaner and finisher stages and differed significantly from T1/2 group. From behavioural response, it can be concluded that suitable floor space allowance should lie in between 33 to 50% reduction in relation to IS specifications.Not Availabl

Food Grains and Jaggery-based Expanded Food: Optimization of Process Variables, Protein Efficiency Ratio and Consumer Acceptability

Extrusion parameters for nutritious expanded food with jaggery were optimized following box-benken design using Response Surface Methodology. Jaggery and feed moisture affected physical properties, while nutritional and sensory properties of products were influenced by jaggery only. Optimized level of extrusion parameters consisted of 100 oC die head temperature, screw speed of 304 rpm, 14 % moisture and 4 g jaggery per 100 g of formulation with 80 % maize, 14 % defatted soy-meal, and 6 % sesame-based formulation having overall desirability of 0.807. This expanded food showed expansion ratio of 3.57, 173.76 kg.m-3 bulk density, 15.18 % protein with 72.55 % invitro protein digestibility and 2.63 protein efficiency ratio, 1.97 % total minerals, 2.9 mg.100 g-1 iron, 158 mg.100 g-1 calcium with acceptability score of 8.2 that also indicated the consumer acceptability ≥7 by 95.37 % using 9-point hedonic scale

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Not AvailablePresent experiment was conducted to study the relative economics of crossbred (Landrace×Desi) pigs with thirty six crossbred barrows reared under 3 different floor space allowances (n=12 each) having group size of 4 pigs/pen. One group (TIS) was provided floor space as per Indian Standards (0.9, 1.35 and 1.8 m2/pig for weaner, grower and finisher stages, respectively) specifications, while other two groups with 33% (T2/3) and 50% (T1/2) reduced floor space allowances. Only covered floor area was provided for all the groups. Different parameters analyzed during the study involved growth, feed conversion efficiency, requirement of water and labour for floor washing, and some other economic variables. Pigs were reared up to 28 weeks of age. Relative economics of pig rearing for three floor space allocation groups was calculated using partial budget analysis. Major performance traits, i.e. average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) did not differ significantly among the groups. Although body weights of T2/3 and T1/2 groups were marginally higher than TIS group. In contrary to minor savings of labour, large quantity of water was saved in T1/2 and T2/3 groups (805.4 liters/pig and 400.1 liters/pig, respectively) than TIS group between weaner and finisher stages. Additionally, input costs of ` 145 and ` 96 per pig was saved by providing floor space as per T1/2 and T2/3 groups, respectively than TIS group. It can be concluded that economic gains were maximum in 50% floor space reduction group without adverse effect on performance traits of crossbred pigs.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableTo compare the effect of different floor space allowances on physiological status of pigs, 36 crossbred (Landrace x Desi) barrows were reared with 3 different floor space allowances [n = 4(group size) x 3(replications) = 12 each]. Group TIS (control) had floor space allowance (0.9, 1.35 and 1.8 m2/pig during weaner, grower and finisher stage) as per Indian Standards (IS: 3916-1966), while T2/3 and T1/2 treatment groups had 33% and 50% reduced floor space allocation with fixed small (n=4) group size throughout the experiment. Skin lesion score, blood parameters and back fat thickness (BFT) of pigs were estimated. Mean skin lesion score of head and ears (weaner, P<0.05) was lower in TIS group than other groups, and body regions (finisher, P<0.05) was lower in TIS than T1/2 group, whereas, lesion score for other body parts and growth stages did not differ among the groups. Plasma cortisol concentration was higher (P<0.05) in T1/2 group than other groups (grower) and TIS group (control). BFT of pigs did not differ statistically among the groups. It is concluded that suitable floor space allowance in Indian conditions should lie between T2/3 and T1/2 group for crossbred pigs.Not Availabl

Effect of roofing materials on micro-climate in loose house for animals during rainy season

Aim: To find out the influence of different types of roofing materials on micro-climate in animal loose housing system during rainy season. Materials and Methods: Different shade materials were used for covered area under each of three treatments. Thatch shading roof (T1 ), Agro-net shading roof (T2 ), Asbestos with canvas shading roof (T3 ). Long axis of the paddock was east-to-west orientation. The covered area floor space was 1.5 ×1 m (excluding manger) for each animal and open paddock was 2 × 1 m. Height of shed at eaves was 2 meter. Daily temperature (maximum and minimum) and dry bulb and wet bulb temperature of macro and micro- environment under different treatments were recorded at 9:30 AM and 2:00 PM of Indian Standard Time (IST) by using maximum and minimum thermometer and dry and wet bulb thermometer. Both inside and outside surface temperatures of shade materials were measured by infrared digital thermometer (ebro, TFI 220). The statistical procedures followed were two way ANOVA and Paired 'T' test. Results: During the experimental period, maximum temperature was recorded under asbestos and lowest temperature was in agro-net and maximum protection from high temperature was given during peak hot hours in agro-net than asbestos. THI was more (P<0.05) under asbestos than agro-net and thatch.The outside surface temperature at 9.30 AM and 2:00 PM (IST) was significantly lower (P<0.05) in agro-net than thatch and asbestos. Conclusion: Thatch and agro-net were better in warding off the hot and humid environmental condition in comparison to asbestos. [Vet World 2013; 6(8.000): 482-485

Effect of different level of concentrate supplementation on the periparturient growth performance of Ganjam goat in extensive system

Aim: The present study was carried out to evaluate the impact of concentrate supplementation to the pregnant Ganjam goats on their growth performance in periparturient period. Materials and Methods: A total of 45 pregnant Ganjam does of similar body weight, age and parity were divided into three treatment groups with 15 does in each. T1 : normal browsing at range system, T2 : normal browsing with concentrate supplementation @ 200g/day, T3 : normal browsing with concentrate supplementation @ 300g/day for 60 days before expected date of kidding. Observations regarding various growth performances were made following standard procedures. Results: Average daily concentrate feed intake for T2 was 160 g and 225 g for T3 . For the does in T1 , the body weights ranged from 34.59 &#177; 0.75 kg (at the beginning) to 38.29 &#177; 0.75 kg (after 60 days of supplementation) while for those in T2 it increased from 33.91 &#177; 0.70 kg to 38.71 &#177; 0.64 kg and for T3 itranged from 34.05 &#177; 0.64 to 39.55 &#177; 0.62 kg. The cumulative live weight gain during the period 0-60 days varied significantly among the different treatments with the lowest value in T1 (3.71 &#177; 0.27 kg) to highest value in T3 (5.49 &#177; 0.22 kg) although the initial body weights were same. The cumulative body weight gain during 0- 90 days postpartum was significantly higher in T1 (3.13 &#177; 0.46 kg) compared to T3 (2.10 &#177; 0.19 kg). Significant difference in average daily gain during prepartum period was found in all groups as 61.78 &#177; 4.47, 79.89 &#177; 2.20, 91.56 &#177; 3.71 for T1, T2 and T3 respectively. The average daily gain of the does during post partum period was 23.33 g (T3 ), 24.30 g (T2 ) and 34.81 g (T1 ) perdoe indicating a statistically significant difference among the treatments. Conclusion: It is concluded that on supplementation of concentrate between 160 to 225 g improved both prepartum and postpartum body condition of Ganjam goats. [Vet World 2013; 6(7.000): 428-432