Raman Ghimire, Yumi Shakya and Nirajan Bhattarai
The popularity of exotic goats and its crosses with indigenous breeds has been increasing amongst the Nepali farmers as it improves productive and growth performance of indigenous breeds through cross breeding. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of genetic and non-genetic factors on the growth performance of Boer crosses with Local khari and Jamunapari cross breeds of goats in Jagatpur Farm, Chitwan, Nepal. Data of 60 registered kids were recorded in Jagatpur Agro Farm for five-month period and was analyzed using general linear model (univariate) in IBM SPSS Statistics 20. The mean birth weight of Boer × Khari, Jamunapari × Boer and Local khari was 3.19 ± 0.09, 3.45 ± 0.08 and 3.21 ± 0.08 respectively. The effect of breed was significant on 3 month weight (p<0.001), 5 month weight (p<0.05) and pre-weaning average daily gain (p<0.05). Boer × Khari was heavier than Local Khari followed by Jamunapari cross in all the three aspects; 3 month weight, 5 month weight and pre-weaning average daily gain. Sex was significant on 3 month weight (p<0.05), 5 month weight (p<0.05), pre-weaning average daily gain (p<0.05) and overall average daily gain (p<0.05). Male had higher weight and weight gains than female. The mean 3 month weight, 5 month weight, pre weaning average daily gain and overall daily gain of male was 14.85 ± 0.48 kg, 23.88 ± 0.41 kg, 127.64 ± 4.84 g/d and 136.8 ± 2.43 g/d whereas female was 13.56 ± 0.49 kg, 22.2 ± 0.42 kg, 115 ± 4.98 g/d and 126.79 ± 2.5 g/d respectively. Parity and season had no significant (p>0.05) effects on any weights and daily gains. Similarly, post-weaning average daily gain was not significantly affected by any factors. It was concluded that cross breeding of Boer goat with Jamunapari and Khari breeds with ability to adapt to local conditions can add much more value to productive performance including body weights and weight gains. Similarly, the fixed effects such as sex, breed and parity should always be taken into consideration as it had significant effects in goat performance. Thus, cross breeding and effects of these factors need to be studied in more detail to determine impacts on productivity and profitability of the meat goat industry.
Parés Casanova Pere M* and López-Navarro
Most published attempts to quantify equine hoof form are based on lineal and angular measurements. Here we applied geometric morphometric methods to study shape variation of hoof outlines in a sample of 25 distal forelimbs (13 right and 12 left). Limbs belonged to sound “Cavall Pirinenc Català” horse, an equine meat local breed from Pyrenees, slaughtered in an abattoir. The outline of each hoof was represented by a set of two landmarks and 86 semi-landmarks. Results reflected directional asymmetric, e.g. consistent differences between medial and lateral contours for all four limbs. Right limbs tended to supinate (rotation of medial wall towards out), while left limbs tended to pronate (rotation of lateral wall towards in). Such morphological adjustments may be an important consideration for hoof practitioners and may imply an important reconsideration of “normal” feet evaluation.
Cao Huihui, Yan Yanhua, Wang Lei, Zhou Yu, Wang Yan, Tang Xueying, Pang Xueliang, Zhang Ning, Dong Lixue, Zheng Baiqin
Jalel Fikadu Yadeta and Mangistu Urge Leta
This experiment was conducted at Nedjo ATVET College with the objective of evaluating the effects of graded levels of wild silver leaf desmodium (Desmodium uncinatum) on growth and body weight change Horro sheep fed a basal diet of natural pasture hay. Twenty intact male Horro sheep with intact milk teeth and an average initial weight of 18.28±1.47 kg (mean± SD) were used. The experimental sheep were blocked into 5 blocks of 4 animals based on initial body weight and randomly assigned to one of the four treatments within a block. The treatments were natural pasture hay ad libitum (T1) and wild silver leaf desmodium supplement at levels of 200(T2), 300(T3), 400(T4) g/head/d on dry matter bases. The basal diet had DM, CP and OM of 91.2, 75.5 and 9.3, respectively while the corresponding values for Desmodium were 89.8, 77.8 and 16.8. Desmodium supplementation resulted in significantly higher (p<0.01) final body weight and average daily gain (15.6, 38.9, 45.6 and 68.9 g/d in T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively) (p<0.001) than the sheep in the control treatment. Therefore, supplementation with 400 g/d Desmodium improved body weight of sheep and correspondingly increased the net income from the sale of sheep at the end of the feeding trial. Therefore, in the present study supplementation of wild silver leaf desmodium to natural grass hay at 400 g appears to be the best level for Horro sheep in growth and daily body gain.
Shridhar NB
Toxicity episode of Embelia tserium-cottom was observed in Malnad Gidda cattle. The clinical signs were severe anorexia, constipation, ascites , anasarca, perineal edema, brisket edema and death in Malnad Gidda cattle which consumed the plant leaves. This study confirmed the plant as a cause for the clinical syndrome of perineal edema which was an obscure disease. There was a damage to kidney and liver with an increase in serum creatinine, BUN,AST and ALT. In post mortem it was observed that there was a damage to most of the vital organs like kidney, heart, liver, lungs had lesions followed by the histological changes. Ailing animals were treated with symptomatically with administration with balanced electrolytes, B-complex vitamins, activated charcoal, isoflupredone, frusemide etc with poor recovery rate.
