Cattle Breeding

CATTLE BREEDING IN INDIA

        In India farmers depend largely on bullocks for ploughing, irrigation and carting. Hence India needs a good number of efficient bullocks.  Droppings from cattle constitute the most important source of manure for the soil for maintaining its fertility. India is an important supplier of animal skin to the international market. Horns,hoofs and bones are utilized in industries. Bone-meal is used as mineral supplement in cattle and poultry feeds. 

In the villages desirable bulls are selected on the basis of draughtability and permitted to graze with the cows to bring about random animal breeding. Bulls not selected for breeding are castrated when young and converted to bullocks. They are the main source of animal draught power in India.

About 10-60 per cent cows are artificially inseminated by semen collected from high quality bulls. Artificial insemination ensures good quality progeny and is-also economical as semen from a single bull can inseminate several thousand cows.

An average cow or buffalo produces 8 - 10 calves during its productive life time. Generally only one ovum is fertilised at a time. Selective breeding,progenytesting and improvement take longer time in the livestock than in annual food crops. Majority of Indian cattle have been on marginal inputs and are infertile and poor milk yielders. Research on the cause of infertility led to the use of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin, to increase fertility. Stilbesterol tablets are implanted to induce lactation in sterile cows and immature females

To increase the milk yield, Indian cows are cross-bred with European breeds like Holstein, Brown Swiss, Jersey, Red Dane and others. The Karanswiss and Sunandini are the breeds developed through cross breeding at the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, and in Kerala, respectively.

 

Super ovulation and Embryo Transplantation

It is a kind of animal breeding method in wich A pedigreed bull and a high production cows are chosen to produce super milch cows. Super ovulation is induced by hormone injection. After artificial insemination, 4-10 embryos are collected at a time. Each embryo is then transplanted into a “carrier” cow (surrogate mother). Such embryo transplants can also be carried out in sheep, goats and other livestock. By deep freezing (—1 96°Cy it is posibIe to preserve seven days old foetuses for several years to be used when needed. An embryo can be cut into two, to obtain homo zygotic twins. The most beneficial outcome of embryo transplantation is the selection of high quality bulls for genetic upgrading.

 

Breeds of cattle

There are over 24 major breeds of cattle and 6 breeds of buffaloes in India. These can either adapt themselves to local conditions or conditions throughout the country. The quality of the cattle, in general, depends on the environmental conditions, especially on rainfall, temperature and humidity Indian cattle are found to do well in dry areas whereas they tend to be small in areas of heavy rainfall such as the coastal and hilly regions of the country. The important breeds of Indian cattle's for different purposes are as follows:

1. Much breeds: Eq - Gir, Deoni, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi etc.

2. Draught breeds: Eg- Malvi, Nageri, Hallikar, Kangayam etc.

3. General utility breeds : Eg- Ongole, Haryana, Kankrej, Tharparkar etc.

BUFFALLOES

Murrah ,,Bhadaubri ,Jaffrabadi ,S urti, Thehsana ,Nagpuri or Ellichpuri ,Nih Ravi ,

Buffaloes are better than cows because they are more resistant to diseases, give more milk and live longer. Their milk yielding capacity is three times more than cows. Buffalo’s milk is also superior to cow’s milk in fat content and minerals. The number of buffaloes in India is about one third of the cows.

Poultry Breeding

POULTRY BREEDING

Introduction and controlled animal breeding have been helpful in imporving other animal species like chicken, ducks, sheeps and pigs. Aseel, Chittagong and Ghaugs are some of the Desi breeds of fowls. White leg horn, Rhode island red, Black Minorca are the introduced varieties.

India and the neighboring countries are recognised as the original home of the red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus). There is evidence that a Aseel or Malay fowl were carried to Europe through the middle east about 2000 years ago and have given rise to the present day European breeds.

Poultry and poultry products are rich source of animal proteins and other nutrients such as fats, vitamins and minerals . Consumption of eggs would pave the way for overcoming protein malnutrition prevalent among children in India.

The domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) population of our country can be roughly classified into two types:

i. Indigenous (Desi type)

ii. Exotic (Improved type)

Some of the indigenous breeds like Aseel, karaknath, Ghagus Brahma, Bursa are the best table birds. The Aseel fowls are used in cock-fighting.

The exotic breeds are classified according to their source of origin, into American class, English class, Asiatic class. Mediterranean class and nature of some Standard classes, common breeds and important fowls

The indigenous breeds are crossed with exotic breeds for improving egg production. Heterosis has been utilised for producing better egg layers and broilers with high nutritive value.

Poultry-Housing System

HOUSING IN POULTRY

POULTRY-Housing System
The poultry house requires certain features for the better farming of poultry. They are:

1. The poultry houses or farms are to be located in non-residential areas so that the poultry is away from noise, dust, etc.

2. The farm should be constructed in such a way that it maintains good environmental conditions.

3. The farm should be elevated from the ground. Due to this, water may not get into the farm during rainy season.

4. The poultry farms are to be constructed in east to west direction along their length. As a result, good sun-shine is available.

5. The farm is to be located in a place where transport facilities are available. Water, electricity, feed and equipment are to be within the reach of the farm.

6.The farm is to be located near the consumer areas.

7. The poultry housing also requires proper temperature and light. At 30° C, the chicken can lay eggs well. Electric bulbs should be arranged at a height of 7ff. in poultry farms to provide warmness. These lights are to be switched on during first seven weeks. A relative humidity of 50-60% is ideal for poultry.

8. The sheds are to be ventilated properly. Proper ventilation helps in providing sufficient oxygen for birds and removes harmful gases such as ammonia and carbon dioxide. It also removes moisture in the house and helps in keeping optimum temperatures. To facilitate ventilation, the farm house is to be constructed in such a way that it should have an open front, adjustable windows or cloth covered frames and ventilation at ridge level.

9.The flooring of poultry house is to be constructed either with cement or napa slabs. Its roof is to be constructed either with palmyra leaves or cement sheets.

10. The chicken in a poultry farm are to be fed with sufficient food and water. Food troughs and water troughs are to be arranged depending on the size of poultry farm. The egg laying pots are also to be established in poultry sheds. One food trough is to be kept for every 20 fowls. The food troughs should not be filled completely with food material. The water given to fowls should be always clean and sufficient.

There are two important housing systems in poultry farms. They are

1. Deep litter system and 2. Cage system

 

1. Deep litter poultry system

This is the conventional housing system of poultry farms practiced since long back. 

The floor in the poultry farm is tube covered with a layer of saw dust, paddy  husk or straw. This layer is about 4 inches in thickness in summer, while in other seasons 7 inches thick layer is used on the floor. This layer of saw dust, paddy husk or straw which covers the floor of the poultry farm is called litter. The litter should be always

in dry condition. The droppings of birds produce ammonia. In wet condition, more ammonia in the litter may cause diseases. Hence, it should be mixed periodically with lime to reduce the percentage of ammonia in the litter. Further the litter should be changed once in a year. Growing chicken on floor covered by litter is said to be the Deep litter system (deep litter) or loose housing system.

The dimensions of the poultry house depend on the number of chicks to be accommodated. For example, 125 chicks require a space of about 400 square feet. A chick normally requires 2.25 square feet. It should be remembered that more than 250 chicks should not be accommodated in a poultry house. A distance of 40 feet is to be maintained in between two poultry houses or sheds.

2. Cage System  in PoultryOf late, many farmers are growing chicks by using cage system. In this system, the birds are grown in cages made of iron mesh. For growing about 25 fowls a cage measuring is 36” x 48” is used. Lesser dimension cages are used for growing small flocks. The cages are arranged in 2 or 3 tiers in poultry houses. Feeding, watering and other facilities are given to the chicken introduced in these cages.

cage method  in Poultry-advantages:

1. In this method, there is no wastage of space and food.

2. Chicks involved in cannibalism may be easily identified and removed. Cannibalism in poultry is referred to as one bird pecking at the other bird. 

3. The diseased birds can easily be separated.

4. Less labor is involved in this method.

5. Collection of eggs is an easy process.

6. Mortality rate is less in this system.

cage system disadvantages they are:

1. The cracked eggs are common.

2. It is difficult to clean the individual cages and to dispose the manure.

3. The food may not be distributed accurately depending on the consumption of the birds in the cage.

4. The birds are frequently subjected to a disease called cage layer fatigue. The bird lies on its side giving an impression that it is affected with paralysis. Hence, this is referred to as cage paralysis or cage layer fatigue.

5. Fatty liver syndrome is common in cage system. It is characterised by

i) a gradual drop in egg production (40% - 10%),

ii) fatty, enlarged, tan colored liver is noticeable, and

iii) birds become fatty.

In cage culture certain precautions are to be followed. They are:
1. In summer, water is to be sprinkled on cages. This is due to the fact that cage poultry needs protection from excessive heat in severe summer.

2. The chicks should be subjected to dubbing and debeaking. As a result of debeaking, the chicken may not involve in cannibalism and can easily procure the soft food without waste.

POULTRY-Equipment

Depending on size and type of poultry farm, various types of equipment are  to be used in poultry farms. The number and size of the equip mental sovary. Important poultry house equipment includes Perches, Feed hoppers, Watering devices, De beakers, Chick guards, Laying nests, Brooding hovers etc.

Poultry-Layers-Broilers

LAYERS – BROILERS IN POULTRY

      Generally, two types of chicken are grown in poultry farming. They are layers and broilers. The layers are grown only to lay eggs, whereas the broilers are grown for flesh. More or less, both layers and broilers require similar type of equipment and facilities.

            

The growth and economy of any poultry farm depends totally on the type of breeds and the management efficiencies. A variety of high yielding layers and broilers are available. These varieties are produced by the process of hybridization. The baby chicks of high quality in layers and broilers are produced by hatcheries. For poultry farming, the new born chicks are to be obtained. These one day old chicks are to be subjected for brooding. Brooding is the care and management exerted in the first few weeks after hatching (40 to 60 days). The artificial brooding is employed for this purpose. The artificial brooding is the method of handling chicks without the aid of mother hen. In this process, the farm houses and cages should be made ready for the baby chicks. The surroundings of the house and the equipment should be kept clean by using insecticides.

 

Poultry farming -Layers

The born chicks e newly are to be kept in brooders or brooding hovers. Brooders have l0 x 12 feet or 12 x 12 feet dimensions and accommodate 250 young chicks. Brooder generates heat (90° - 95°F) from the bulbs arranged in them. The temperature in the first week is to be maintained t 90-95°F. A temperature of 5° F is to be reduced for every week. The temperature in fourth week is at 75- 85°F. In some instances, infra-red bulbs are also used for brooding. In the absence of electricity, the fuel such as kerosene and gas are used to generate the heat. Temperature should be uniform for brooding purpose. At high temperature, the young chicks move away from the brooder and they get congregated at low temperatures.

An iron or bamboo mesh is normally used to protect the brooder. This mesh is named as chick guard. The chick guard keeps the young chick together in the brooder. Chick guard covers an area of 3 feet around the brooder and it is 2 feet above the ground level. The brooders are kept in brooding hover for five weeks.

The broods are to be fed initially with wheat or corn granules. This food is given in the first 3 days. In the first two weeks the immunity of the birds is very less and effected with diseases like Coccidiasis and Fowl pox. Coccidiasis is treated by giving coccidiostats, Amprosol and cardinal drugs, Fowl pox is treated by giving vaccination.

The layers are to be given a special diet from the third day onwards. This food is named as chick mash. It is constituted by 20% proteins and has a high calorific value. The mash is to be given along with water in the first few weeks. Dry mash can be given subsequently. The mash should be given for every two hours to the young chicks.
Water is to be supplied 3 to 4 times a day. The temperature maintained in the brooders is to be decreased gradually per every week. As a result, only 75° - 80°F temperature persists in brooders. From 9th week onwards, the lights may be reduced in the poultry. For a few days, zero watt bulbs are used to maintain light. The young chicken are subjected to debeaking on 21st. day.
The chicks grown for about twenty weeks are called growers. The growers are to be fed with grower mash or grower ration.

The young chicks grown in brooders should belong to the same age group. These chicks in the first few weeks are easily susceptible for fowl pox. Hence, they are to be treated properly.

The chicks aged 14 - 15 weeks usually suffer from the parasites such as round worm and tape worm. They are to be treated with anti-helminthes medicines. As a result of this treatment, the worms in the alimentary canal die and come out along with faeces. This is called deworming. The deworming is to be done for every 5 - 6 weeks.

The young chicks involve in cannibalism. This cannibalism can be prevented by debeaking which could be taken up once again at the age of 17 or 18 weeks.
The chicken at the age of 18 to 22 weeks start egg laying. At this stage, they are given a diet referred to as layer mash. The chicken at this stage are to be transferred into the cages. Four or  five chicken may be kept in a cage.

 

Broilers

These are the birds grown for meat purpose. The poultry house and equipment  required to grow broilers are much similar to that of layers. A broiler needs 1 square foot area in the farm house. The young chicks brought from hatcheries are to be kept in brooders. The brooding time in broilers vary with season. In summer, they require only 2 weeks, whereas in winter they need brooding for about one month. After one month chick guards can be removed. During night time sufficient lights should be established.
After one month the male and female are to be separated and reared separately.
The food given to broilers up to 42 days is called broiler starter mash. It contains 25% of proteins. From 7th week onwards, each broiler weighs 1 -1.5 kgs. and get ready for marketing purpose. The food given to broilers from 7th week onwards is called broiler finish mash. It co ins more carbohydrates and less proteins. In broilers the wieght of male or cock is higher than female or hen

Poultry-Diseases

DISEASES IN POULTRY

In the intensive system of commercial poultry farming, the birds are
subjected to various types of diseases. The diseases in poultry are
caused by a variety of agents. As such, the diseases are classified

as
 I) Bacterial diseases,
II) Viral diseases,
lll) Fungal diseases,
IV) Protozoan diseases
V)Parasitic diseases and
VI) Nutritional deficiency diseases.
I. BACTERIAL DISEASES in POULTRY
A. Chronic Respiratory Disease - This is the egg transmitted disease.
2. The production of the eggs falls down in layers.
3. The symptoms of the disease are sneezing, swollen sinuses, eyes and respiratory distress, reduced body weight, etc.
4. Disease could be controlled by dipping of hatching eggs in
antibiotic solutions and giving antibiotics such as Tylosin.
B. Fowl Cholera
1. This disease is spread by the birds like crows.
2. The symptoms of the disease are
a) Greenish yellow diarrhea
b) Purplish discoloration of comb and wattles, and
c) Respiratory trouble, stop feeding.
3. Disease could be controlled by treating with sulphonamides and antibiotics.
 
 
C. Coryza
1. The disease is transmitted through water and moist litter.
2. Symptoms of the disease are coughing, sneezing, swoollen
face, breathing problem, eye lids stick together and the
discharge from the eyes and nostrils emit bad smell, reduced
feed consumption and low egg production.
3. Disease may be controlled by treating the birds with
sulphathiazole in water and feed or giving streptomycin intramuscularly.
D. Pullorum Disease in Fowls
1. This disease is caused by Salmonella pullorum to young chicken of 5-10 days.
2. The fowls themselves are the carriers of this disease.
3. The body of young chicken is moist and aggregate in groups.
4. Symptoms of the disease are . dullness, and white diarrhoea. Due to this symptom, this disease is called Bacillary white diarrhoea. Breathing problem and high mortality occur in these birds.
5. Nitroferan compounds are used to control mortality.
E. Spirochaetosis in poultry
1. This disease is caused by spirochaets.
2. The disease is transmitted by the fowl ticks, hence it can be called tick fever.
3. Symptoms of the disease are high fever, greenish diarrhoea, pale combs and wattles, increased thirst and paralysis before
death.
4. The disease may be controlled by killling ticks and giving
pencillin for the birds.

VIRAL DISEASES IN POULTRY

A. Marek’s Disease . .
1. This is contagious disease.
2. The wings and fleck fall down. They do not drink water. Weight of the body reduces. They move away from other fowls.
3. Symptoms are paralysis and loss of vision in old birds.
4. No treatment is available but vaccination to the young chicks gives protection.
B. Ranikhet disease
1. This is also called New castle disease.
2. It is a contagious disease.
3. Symptoms are breathing problem, coughing, nasal discharge,
greenish diarrhoea and paralysis.
4. No specific treatment is available. However, mild doses of
vaccine followed by booster doses of strong vaccine reduce
the risk of disease.
C.Infectious bronchitis in Poultry
1.This is a contagious disease.
2.Symptoms are sneezing, coughing, high mortality in young ones, drop in egg production, thin shell eggs, etc.
3. No specific treatment, but mass vaccination of young chicks is effective in preventing the disease.
D.Infectious laryngotrachitis
1.This is a contagious disease which affects the older birds.
2. The symptoms are:
i. Marked respiratory problems, swelling of the face
ii. Drop in egg production and
iii. High mortality rate.
3. No definite treatment but vaccination controls the disease to some extent.
E. Fowl Fox
1. This is a mild disease effecting young chicken and layers.
2. The main symptom to identify this disease is the typical wart -like structure, skin or mouth found on the comb.
3. Breathing is difficult. It spreads through mosquitoes.
4. Vaccination is proved to be effective.
 
F. Gumboro Disease
1. It is infectious and effects younger birds of 4 - 8 weeks.
2. Disease spreads through feed and water.
3. Symptoms of the disease are watery diarrhoea, depression stop feeding and young ones shiver.
FUNGAL DISEASES IN POULTRY
A.Brooder Pneumonia :
This disease is also named as Aspergillosis. It is caused by a fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus. This disease spreads through litter and feed to the young ones of brooding stage.
2. Symptoms of the disease are breathing problem, gasping, inflammed eyes and high mortality.
3. No treatment is available.
B. Aflotoxicosis:
1. This disease is caused by Asperigillus flavus.
2. It spreads through contaminated litter and feed.
3. The symptoms are variable. Fall of immunity and are liable to be afected with other diseases. The egg laying capacity falls down and the fowls are destroyed.
4. It may be prevented by avoiding moisture, contaminated teed and litter.
IV. PROTOZOAN DISEASE IN POULTRY:
1. The protozoan parasite, Elmeria causes coccidiasis in fowls.
2. It spreads mostly to young ones through litter and water.
3. The symptoms are: depression, droopiness, ruffled feathers, young ones agregate in flocks, take less food and water, and
bloody diarrhoea. Mortality in these birds is severe.
4. This can be treated through water medication. Nitrofurazone and other medicines are often used.
V. PARASITIC DISEASES IN POULTRY
The diseases are caused either due to ecto parasites or endo parasites.
1. Ectoparasites Ticks, mites, lice and fleas are the common ectoparasites.
They cause generally severe irritation by biting or sucking.
They can be prevented by using insecticide like DDT.
2. Endo parasites Helminths like nematodes (round worms) cestodes (tape worms) and trematodes (flukes) are the common endo parasites. The symptoms caused by these organisms vary depending on the parasite. For treatment, the drugs like carbontetrachloride, turpentine are used.

VI. POULTRY-NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY DISEASES
These diseases are caused by the dificiency ot nutrients such as vitamins and minerals in the feed. For example the deficiency of vitamin E causes a disease called “Encephalomalacia” in poultry. The nutritional deficiency diseases are due to intensive method of poultry farming. They can be rectified by treating the poultry with the balanced feed.