International Journal of Natural Sciences

Phenotypic Characteristics of Commercial Layer Strains, ISA Brown and Hisex Brown

2016-08-01T05:52:23+00:00

The study was conducted to observe and compare the phenotypic characteristics of ISA brown and Hisex brown commercial layer strains. A total of 200 birds were examined out of 36000 in a commercial layer farms at Chandonysh upazila (sub-district) of Chittagong district, Bangladesh during the period of July to December, 2013. Observable difference was found in several phenotypic characteristics like plumage, beak, shank, egg, comb color and comb type between ISA brown and Hisex brown. In ISA brown shank length (cm), egg weight (gm) and body weight (gm) was 3.32±0.01, 59.44±0.47 and 1846.60±11.18 respectively where in case of Hisex brown it was 3.11±0.00, 55.82±0.45 and 1769.10±33.90. Significant (P<0.05) difference was found in shank length (cm), egg weight (gm) and body weight (gm). In ISA brown beak length and age at first lay was 2.02±0.01 and 141±0.51 respectively, On the other hand for Hisex brown, it was 2.02 ± 0.01 and 141 ± 0.58. There was no Significant (P>0.05) difference between the strains in respect of shank length, egg weight and body weight. Some innate characteristics of studied strains differentiate them and any improvement program of commercial layer strains should be incorporate production objectives and trait performance of the society.

International Journal of Natural Sciences (2015), 5(2) 41-45

Effects of triclabendazole and nitroxynil on EPG, hematological parameters and body weight against fascioliasis in goats at government goat development farm, Sylhet, Bangladesh

2016-08-01T05:52:24+00:00

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of triclabendazole and nitroxynil against fascioliasis in goat for a period of 28 days on 20 black bengal goats. Among hundred goats, twenty were selected for this study which was suffering from liver fluke (Fasciola gigantica) infection and were marked by tagging. Twenty goats were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C and D) where each group comprising of five goats. Group A were treated with tablet fasinex (triclabendazole, Novartis Ltd, Bangladesh) orally at the dose rate of 12 mgkg^-1body weight, group B were treated with acinex (triclabendazole, ACI Ltd, Bangladesh) orally at the dose rate of 12 mgkg^-1body weight and group C were treated with nitronex injection (nitroxynil, Renata Ltd, Bangladesh) subcutaneously at the dose rate of 10 mgkg-1 body weight. Goats of group D was kept as infected control group without giving any treatment. A significant (P<0.01) reduction of egg per gram (EPG) count was found on 7^th, 14^th, 21^st and 28^th days of treated goats of group A, B and C, respectively. The EPG count of control group were significantly (P<0.01) increased 7 day onwards up to experimental period. Reduction of mean EPG on 7^th, 14^th, 21^st and 28^th day after treatment in group A, B and C were 81.48%, 81.25% and 83.04%, respectively, whereas in control group the mean EPG were 22.43%. Of the hematological parameters, TEC, Hb and PCV values were lower on day 0 but turned to increase (p<0.01) on day 28 of the study. On the other hand, ESR and TLC were higher before treatment (day 0) but decreased significantly (p<0.01) on day 28.The body weight increased significantly (P<0.01) after treatments in group A, B and C respectively except untreated control. This result may indicate that three commercial anthelmintics contain triclabendazole and nitroxynil against fascioliasis in goat and nitroxynil have higher efficacies on egg per gram (EPG), hematological parameters and body weight against fascioliasis in goat. Additional detailed studies are required to prevent and control of fascioliasis in goats by using a routine prophylactic anthelmintics measurement.

International Journal of Natural Sciences (2015), 5(2) 46-51

Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern against E. coli and Salmonella spp. in Environmental Effluents

2016-08-01T05:52:25+00:00

Hospitals (medical & veterinary) and slaughterhouse effluents were the most contaminating effluents and need to be paid more attention due to pathogenic bacteria related to animal and public health concern. Two bacterial isolates such as E. coli and Salmonella from six medical hospitals, five veterinary hospitals and five slaughter houses were isolated to find out the antibiotic resistance pattern by using disc diffusion method. The antibiotic resistance patterns of identified isolates showed that Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Enrofloxacin, Pefloxacin, Colistin, Erythromycin, Oxytetracycline were 100%, Doxycycline was 83%, Gentamycin was 50% and Neomycin was 33% resistance to medical isolates and Ampicillin, Enrofloxacin, Pefloxacin and Erythromycin were 100%, Ciprofloxacin was 40%, Colistin was 60%, Doxycycline was 80%, Gentamycin was 20%; Neomycin and Oxytetracycline 80% resistance to veterinary hospital isolates and Ampicillin, Enrofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Pefloxacin, Colistin, Oxytetracycline, Gentamycin, Doxycycline and Erythromycin were 100% and Neomycin was 40% resistance to slaughter houses isolates of E. coli. The level of resistance of Salmonella positive isolates was found Ampicillin, Enrofloxacin, Pefloxacin, Gentamycin and Erythromycin to 100%, Ciprofloxacin was 67%, Oxytetracycline was 33% but Colistin and Neomycin was found sensitive to the isolates from both medical and veterinary hospital. Results indicated that hospitals and slaughter houses waste effluent has multiple-antibiotic resistance against E. coli and Salmonella.

International Journal of Natural Sciences (2015), 5(2) 52-58

Husbandry Practices of Dairy Farming at Chittagong Sub-urban Area

2016-08-01T05:52:25+00:00

The present study was carried out to know the present status including general information, feeding, breeding, housing, milking etc. and costs and returns of small dairy farms, to compare the productive and reproductive performance of crossbred and indigenous cows and to make recommendation for development of small scales dairy farming. With this view, the empirical data were collected by using pretested questionnaire. The study was conducted at preselected 30 dairy farms in Chittagong suburban area, and four months-long survey was diminished on thirty small dairy owners. It appeared that 57% farm owners belong to business class and remaining 43% to different categories. Fifty three percent took dairying as a side-business whereas only 47% took it as a main business enterprise. Major percentage of farm owner education level was Higher Secondary (60%). The dry period, calving interval, services per conception and days open of crossbred was 98.5±18.9, 419±11,3.1±0.82, 118±25.8 and indigenous was 140±10.4, 428±24.7,1.95±0.44, 137±7.78 respectively. The study showed that there were significant (P<0.01) differences within the dry period, services per conception, calving to first service, highest and lowest milk production and lactation period of crossbred and indigenous dairy cows. The study also showed non-significant differences within calving interval for crossbred and indigenous. In case of small dairy farming, the farms were facing a lot of problems such as scarcity of feeds and fodder, high price of concentrate and lack of technical knowledge. This type of dairy farming will be a potential sector for economic development of Bangladesh.

International Journal of Natural Sciences (2015), 5(2) 59-65

Determination of Salmonella in egg shell and egg content in some selected areas of Bangladesh

2016-08-01T05:52:26+00:00

Salmonellosis is one of the most common and widely distributed food-borne diseases. It constitutes a major public health burden and represents a significant cost in many countries. Salmonella are known for its wide range host and can cause clinical diseases in some hosts while in others, can be asymptomatic. Poultry and eggs are considered as major sources for different pathogenic Salmonella serotypes. Eggs produced locally under the small scale layer farm may present a hazard to consumers which may increase the spread of Salmonella in the environment. To investigate the occurrence of Salmonella, a total of 72 samples were taken from 6 poultry farm in some selected areas of Bangladesh. Sampling program was executed between October and December, 2013 and samples were tested using standard laboratory methods. Data was collected through direct interview and structured questionnaire. Our study shows that, true prevalence of Salmonella in egg shell and egg contents were 0.093% and 0.068% respectively. The highest apparent prevalence in Udayan poultry farm (50%) and lowest in Liza poultry farm (16.67%). The average frequency of egg shell contamination is positively correlated with re-use of egg tray without disinfection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation on Salmonella spp. in selected local egg production farms in Chittagong. Further detail study is highly recommended.

International Journal of Natural Sciences (2015), 5(2) 66-72

Socio-economic status of duck farmers and duck farming in haor areas of Sylhet district in Bangladesh

2016-08-01T05:52:27+00:00

This study was conducted to evaluate the socio-economic status of the duck farmers and to investigate the management practices of duck farming. Also attempt to identify the problems of duck farming in Biswanath and Balagonj upazila of Sylhet during a period from September to November 2014. For this study the information was collected by direct interview using a questionnaire from 60 duck farmers. Status of the duck farmers of the selected regions were investigated in the present study. The results reveal that most of the respondents duck farmers were < 35 years of age (52%) having with primary level of education (28%). In most of the farms there were local (deshi) ducks of 65.5% followed by KC (21.5%) and zinding (13%) respectively. For ducks feeding of the farmers depended on natural feed sources while some provided rice and broken rice (23.5%) rice polish and wheat bran (21.5%) and mixed feed (38%). Family size of the most of the farmers (57%) were large (size > 6 members). About 73% farmers had no training on duck farming and some of the farmers had training with short duration (7 to 15 days). Fifty percent of the farmers were made duck houses with tin-shed and wood having necessary floor space. Result of this study revealed that majority of the farmers (68%) had no idea about common duck diseases. The highest proportion of the farmers (65%) never followed the vaccination program regularly. There have some problems identified for duck farming including low price of duck meat and egg made ranked as most serious problems. Therefore, if the problems are addressed properly, the duck farming in haor areas in Sylhet, Bangladesh could be more profitable business for the farmers.

International Journal of Natural Sciences (2015), 5(2) 73-79

Effect of Different Organic And Inorganic Fertilizers on the Growth and Yield of Wetland Rice

2016-08-01T05:52:27+00:00

Two experiments were conducted at farmers field of Tukerbazer, Sylhet in Boro season and T. aman season of 2013 in order to test the effect of different organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of wetland rice. Eight treatment combinations were tested in T. aman season namely T₁= Control (without fertilizer), T₂= Agro-Sar (Organo-Chemical) (ASOC) @ 750 kg/ha, T₃= STB (Soil Test Based), T₄= T₂+50% STB, T₅= T₂ + 60% STB, T₆= T₂ + 70% STB, T₇= T₂ + 80% STB and T₈= T₂ + T₃ where BRRI dhan31 was used as test crop. In Boro season, the following ten treatment combinations were tested in Boro season: namely T₁= FRG 05 dose: N, P, K, S and Zn @ 123, 26, 60, 13 & 4 kg/ha, T₂= Agro meal plus @ 300 kg/ha, T₃= T₂ + N, P, K, S @ 74, 16, 60 and 8 kg/ha, T₄= ASO @ 740 kg/ha, T₅= T₄ + N, P, K, S @ 74, 16, 60 and 8 kg/ha, T₆= Agro-Sar (Organo-chemical) (ASOC) @ 740 kg/ha, T₇= T₆ + N, P, K, S @ 74, 18, 36 and 8, T₈= Raj Jaibo Sar @ 790 kg/ha, T₉ = T₈ + N, P, K, S @ 74, 20, 54 and 9 kg/ha, and T₁₀= Control (without fertilizer). The blanket doses of fertilizers were applied as soil test based (STB). The experiments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications of each treatment. The sources of N, P, K & S were USG, TSP, MP and gypsum. The treatment T₄ where USG was deep-placement produced the maximum yield and also found superior in terms of economic point of view.

International Journal of Natural Sciences (2015), 5(2) 80-85

Seasonal Variation in Population Dynamics of Helminth Parasites in Clarias batrachus from Natural wetlands of Sylhet, Bangladesh

2016-08-01T05:52:28+00:00

A year round field investigations were conducted with the aim to examine the seasonal variation in population dynamics of helminth parasites in Clarias batrachus from different natural aquatic habitat of north-eastern region of Bangladesh, Sylhet. This article summarizes the percentage of prevalence, mean intensity, abundance and index of infestation of helminth parasites in the C. batrachus during different months and seasons of the year in accordance with temperature, humidity and rainfall. The investigation period were categorized into four seasons i.e. pre-monsoon (February-April), monsoon (May-July), post-monsoon (August- October) and winter (November- January). A total 180 C. batrachus host individuals were examined and among them 139 (67.87%) specimens were found to be infested with 2205 individuals of parasites of three different groups namely trematode, cestode and nematode. Almost (100%) prevalence of helminth infestation were recorded from both male and female C. batrachus during the winter (Nov-Jan), followed by (Feb-April) pre-monsoon (66.67-86.67%) and (Aug-Sep) post-monsoon (66.67-80.00%) while lowest (53.33-60.00%) in monsoon or rainy season (May-July). Lower range of environmental temperature (21.0525.050C), associated with moderate humidity (62.00-64.00%) and scarcity of rainfall increases the intensity of helminthes parasitic infestation in C. batrachus. In consistent to this, with the gradual increasing in ambient temperature (28.01- 30.010C) and humidity (75.00-89.00%) associated with moderate rainfall (33.40-790.90 mm) declining the intensity of helminthes infestation in C. batrachus of the study area.

International Journal of Natural Sciences (2015), 5(2) 86-89

Patho-physiological investigation of anorexia of cattle at Sylhet district in Bangladesh

2016-08-01T05:52:29+00:00

The present study was designed to explore the patho-physiological investigation of anorexia of cattle at Sylhet district, Bangladesh. The aim of this study has been conducted to determine the patho-physiological causes of anorexia in cattle during the study period started from September to December in Bishwanath upazila veterinary hospital, Sylhet. Anorexia is one of the most common illness among female cattle in Bangladesh. In this study, a total number of 155 diseased cattle, 100 cattle were found having anorexia due to parasitic, infectious, nutritional deficiency and unknown etiology. Results of this study showed most anorexia developed due to parasitic infestation (41%) which was determined by feces examination and observing the body condition of the animal. The female cattle developed anorexia in higher rate (67%). The early age (less than 1year) of the cattle were found mostly to develop anorexia in cattle, may be due to parasitic and nutritional deficiencies cause.

International Journal of Natural Sciences (2015), 5(2) 90-92

Factors affecting retained fetal membrane and its therapeutic management in dairy cows

2016-08-01T05:52:30+00:00

Retention of fetal membrane (RFM) in dairy cows is a common complication after parturition due to failure of the separation of villi of fetal cotyledon from crypts of maternal caruncles and affects on reproductive cycle. The present study was conducted in 594 cows of 15 different dairy farms of Sylhet district. The data was collected by direct interviewing of the farmers in a prescribed questionnaires data sheet and data record from the register of the contracted farms. The overall incidence of retained placenta was 17.51 %.The cross bred dairy cows had higher incidence (14.14%) of RFM compared to local one (3.04%) and differ significantly (p <0 .05). The parity and age of the animals had substantial effect on retention of fetal membrane in dairy cows. The incidence of RFM had notably increased from 1^st parity (10.04 %) to 7^th parity (57.14 %) and the highest observation was found at more than 7 years and lowest at the age below 3 years of age. The season, sex of calves, body condition of the animals and level of vitamin AD3E before parturition had significant effect on incidence of RFM in dairy cows. The RFM affected cows were treated either with intra muscular injection of oxytocin or herbal drug Eutoklin and manually removing the retained membrane. RFM affected post partum first estrus, service per conception, days open and calving interval significantly on parturated cows compared to normal delivered cows. Younger healthy cows, supply of balanced diet, sufficient daily exercise; comfortable calving areas should be maintained to reduce the incidence of RFM.

International Journal of Natural Sciences (2015), 5(2) 93-97

Comparative Study On Nursing Of Different Strains Of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) In Bangladesh

2016-08-01T05:52:31+00:00

This study was conducted to investigate and compare the growth performance of four Tilapia strains in hapa nursing with the aim to find out the best strain of tilapia. The research was conducted by four treatments with five replicates each. The tilapia fry were collected from, BFRI source from BFRI HQ, Mymensingh stocked in Treatment-1; unknown source from Hi-Tech Tilapia Hatchery Dagoanbhuiya, Feni in Treatment-2, Philipine strain from Green Field Tilapia Hatchery, Laxmipur in Treatment-3 and fry from Breeding Cohort, Sonar Bangla Hatchery, Bamna, Barguna in Treatment-4. The Individual stocking weight (g) of fry was average 0.01g. The fries were stocked in 12 hapa at same stocking density of 1200 fish/m². Each of the hapa was 2m × 1m × 1m size and fixed in an earthen ponds. Supplementary feed with 31.29% of protein level consisting of rice bran (25%), mustard oil cake (15%), wheat flour (30%) and fish meal (30%) was given at the rate of 40% of their body weight per day manually, four times a day at the beginning of the experimental period and reduced to 25% of their body weight and continued up to harvesting period. The results showed that fry of Treatment-4 strain was the best strain and had significantly (p < 0.05) higher final mean body weight (FMBW), mean body weight gain (MBWG), specific growth rate (SGR) (9.75%), gross yield (GY) (2.13) and Net yield (NY) (2.12) than the Treatment-1 , Treatment-2 strains and Treatemnt-3 strain. Treatment-4 strain had the fastest growth rate, whereas the lowest performing strain was that from Treatment-2. We also analyzed survival rate of the fish from stocking to harvest, survival rate was highest in Treatment-4 strain (80%) where lowest is Treatment-3. Treatment-4 stain also showed the best feed conversion ratio (FCR) 1.62 than others. Considering the overall performance it can be concluded that tilapia strain collected from Breeding Cohort source is best among the four strains. However, further research may still be needed to compare more strains from different water body to evaluate the genetic potential for Tilapia.

International Journal of Natural Sciences (2015), 5(2) 98-106

Risk factors of postpartum uterine infection and its subsequent effect on fertility of crossbred dairy cows in Bangladesh

2016-08-01T05:52:31+00:00

Postpartum uterine infection is extremely important in dairy cattle. It is both common and detrimental to reproductive performance. The present study was conducted to investigate the factors responsible for postpartum uterine infection and its subsequent effect on fertility of crossbred dairy cows in Chatmohar Upazila, Pabna District. A total of 317 cows were selected and registered and then follow up them in postpartum period. Reproductive histories and data of the studied cows were assessed by direct interviewing and from record book of the owners and nearby government veterinary hospital. Totally 33 cows were found uterine infected (10.41%) in postpartum period. The case of pyometra was substantially higher in present study in contrast to others. The incidence of uterine infection puerperal metritis, pyometra and endometritis were 1.89%, 5.99% and 2.52% respectively. Dairy cattle calving season and parity reflected greatly on the incidence of uterine infection. Potentially significant (p<0.05) and higher incidence of uterine infection were associated with poor management system where minimum complications were found with good management practice (3.20%) compared to poor management farms. The dairy cows suffering from endometritis significantly showed prolonged days to first estrus interval, days open and number of services per conception and calving interval values (68.5±0.05 days; 115.4±0.4 days , 4.75±0.50, and 398±6 respectively) than normal healthy cows. Further researches in the near future must be directed for prevention of uterine infection, as most of effective treatments dont prevent the negative impacts of such disease upon dairy, reproduction and culling percentage within dairy herd.

International Journal of Natural Sciences (2015), 5(2) 107-111