Background: The study was conducted on 12 Sahiwal cows at the Bull Mother Experimental Farm, Durg (C.G.), to evaluate the effect of dried Moringa oleifera stem on milk production, milk composition, hematological and biochemical parameters, along with proximate analysis. Methods: The 42-day study, which encompassed the full transition phase (21 days pre-calving and 21 days post-calving) involved 12 cows divided into control (T0) and treatment (T) groups (n=6). Cows in T0 received concentrate, green fodder and paddy straw, while in T, 20% of concentrate DM was replaced with dried M. oleifera stem. Result: Proximate analysis of M. oleifera stem showed 20% moisture, 12.19% CP, 16.53% CF, 2.52% EE, 12.35% total ash and 56.41% NFE. Average milk yield was numerically higher in T1(5.77 kg/day) than T0 (5.04 kg/day), without affecting milk composition. Haematological and most biochemical parameters were similar between groups, except total serum protein, AST and ALT, which were significantly higher in T, while triglycerides were lower. Feed cost per kg milk decreased in T1(₹28.89) compared to T0(₹35.50), increasing profit (₹16.11 vs. ₹9.50/kg milk).

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf supplementation on reproductive performance of lactating Sahiwal cows. Twelve lactating Sahiwal cows were randomly allocated into two groups comprising a control group (T0) fed a basal diet and a treatment group (T1) supplemented with neem leaf at 200 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 days. Reproductive performance was assessed using first postpartum heat period, calving-to-conception interval, and conception rate. The mean first postpartum heat period was numerically lower in neem-supplemented cows (132.83 ± 19.81 days) than in control cows (157.20 ± 22.37 days). Similarly, the calving-to-conception interval was reduced from 166.00 ± 21.22 days in the control group to 114.67 ± 5.54 days in the neem-supplemented group. Conception rate remained comparable between the two groups (50.00%). However, the observed differences were statistically non-significant (P > 0.05). The numerical improvements in reproductive performance may be attributed to the antiparasitic, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and protein-sparing effects of neem bioactive compounds, which potentially improve metabolic status and support reproductive recovery during the postpartum period. It was concluded that dietary neem leaf supplementation showed a favourable trend toward improved reproductive performance in Sahiwal cows, although further studies involving larger sample sizes and longer supplementation periods are required to confirm these effects.

Livestock farming plays a vital role in the rural economy of Chhattisgarh State. This investigation was conducted to evaluate the existing feeding and housing management practices adopted by local cattle farmers of Bastar, Narayanpur and Dantewada districts from the Bastar Plateau zone of Chhattisgarh. The study revealed that all respondents adopted an extensive system of cattle farming, with feeding primarily dependent on grazing, crop residues, and grasses. Only 19.5% of respondents offer concentrate ratios, whereas very few supplied mineral mixtures to the animals. All the farmers constructed sheds for their animals using locally available low-cost materials, such as polypropylene or thatched roofs, and earthen flooring. Most of the sheds lack electricity, although cleanliness and ventilation facilities are maintained. The investigation highlights that the cattle farmers followed traditional low-input rearing with limited scientific management practices. Therefore, it reveals the urgent need for strengthened extension services and farmer,s training programme to promote scientific management practices among farmers.

Experiment was conducted on162 purebred Sahiwal cattle were selected from Bull Mother Experimental Farm and Government Cattle Breeding Farm located at the campus of College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Anjora, Durg, Chhattisgarh on the basis of their physiological status viz dry cows, lactating cows, pregnant cows, heifers and calves to measure the location of centre of gravity. The comparison of centre of gravity of dry, pregnant and lactating cows was found to be significant (p<0.05) and the centre of gravity of dry, pregnant and lactating cows was found to be 16.454 ± 0.394 inches, 15.83 ± 0.301inches and 18.21 ± 0.644 inches from hind limb respectively. On other hand, the point of centre of gravity of 0-3-month calves, <1 yr calves and heifers was found to be significant (p<0.05). The point of centre of gravity of 0-3-month calves, < 1 yr calves and heifers was found to be 7.81 ± 0.362inches, 9.029 ± 0.235 inches and 12.419 ± 0.947 inches from hind limb respectively.

This paper highlights the determinants that influence the technical efficiency of dairy farms in the Chhattisgarh plains of India. For the present investigation, 44dairy farms were randomly selected and administered with pre-developed questionnaires. The data obtained were analyzed using the Cobb-Douglas production function via FRONTIER 4.1 to identify various determinants and management parameters that affect the technical efficiency of dairy farms. A longer calving conception interval (β = - 0.03), regular faecal examinations (β= - 0.08), and the presence of a loose housing system (β= - 0.06) had significantly negative influences (P < 0.10) on technical efficiency. It was concluded that measures to improve peak milk yield (β = 0.58), lactation persistency (β = 0.82), strategic culling of animals (β = 0.03), regular deworming (β = 0.10), high labor productivity (β = 0.15), and improved ratios of pregnant to non-pregnant animals (β = 0.07), forage to concentrate (β = 0.07), and milch to dry animals (β = 0.08) along with the presence of irrigation facilities (β = 0.07), proper dairy waste disposal (β = 0.05) and utilization (β = 0.04), and environmentally controlled dairy housing (β = 0.36), would enhance technical efficiency. The study recommends better feeding, housing, and waste management practices to improve the efficiency of milk production in dairy farms across the Chhattisgarh plains and similar agro-climatic zones of India.

Tent Pegging is the cavalry sport in which the horse with rider has to cross an 80-meter strip in 7 seconds so speed is an important criteria for these horses but meager data are available about limb conformation traits of Tent Pegging horses, therefore this study was carried out to characterize baseline measurements of length of bones and angle in the limbs of 20 Indian Sporting Horses of Tent Pegging category. The length and angle of bones and joints were measured with the help of tape-meter and Goniometer by locating the anatomical reference points on the limb of Indian Sporting Horses. The measurement of the bone length and angle of joints were obtained which are specific for the Tent Pegging category of Indian Sporting Horses of Indian Army. The study revealed that the arm length represented 63.65% of shoulder length. Arm length was 82.30% of fore - arm length. Fore cannon length was 59.01% of fore - arm length. Thigh length was 95.89% of pelvis length and 80.60% of gaskin length. Fore cannon length was 76.51% of hind cannon length. Conclusively, the results provide guidelines of limb conformation for selecting Indian Sporting Horses for better performance in racing as well as Tent Pegging.

This study analysed the effect of dietary supplementation of dried bael fruit pulp powder (DBFP) on the performance of broiler chicken. A total of 150-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into five groups (T1-T5). The birds of T1 were fed with basal diet without bacitracin. The birds of T2 group were supplemented with bacitracin at 150 mg/kg feed. The birds of T3, T4 and T5 groups were supplemented with DBFP at 1, 1.5 and 2% respectively. Growth parameters were studied at weekly intervals and at the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to study serum biochemical and oxidative stress indices of birds. The results revealed significantly better growth promoting activities in terms of weight gain and feed conversion ratio were exhibited by birds fed with 2% DBFP. Including 2% DBFP significantly reduced the concentrations of total cholesterol, ALT, glucose, creatinine and MDA in birds of the supplemented group. The inclusion of DFBP in the diet significantly increased the dry matter and crude protein digestibility in birds fed the higher level of DBFP; incorporation of DFBP also resulted in significantly improved villus height and villus-crypt ratio of jejunum. All these parameters are indications of the growth promoting efficiency of 2% DBFP in broiler chicken. Bael fruit powder has promising potential to be used economically as a herbal additive in commercial broiler chicken at the level of 2%.

Lactating Osmanabadi goats (n = 12) were randomly divided into three groups: T0, T1 and T2. The control group (T0) was offered a regular concentrate mixture, whereas in the treatment groups, Jackfruit peel (JFP) was included at 10% (T1) and 20% (T2) levels in a concentrated mixture on a dry matter (DM) basis. For the nutrient utilization study, 350 g of concentrate mixture was offered in the morning and evening, and green forage (hybrid napier fodder) was given adlib throughout the day. Inclusion of JFP did not show any significant effect (p >0.05) on the intake, outgo (g/d) and digestibility (%) of nutrients (DM, OM, CP, EE and NFE). The effect of the inclusion of jackfruit peel was non-significant on the apparent absorption of Ca and P. No significant change was observed on hemoglobin (g/dl), packed cell volume (%) and serum biochemical parameters, viz., total protein, albumin, globulin (g/dl) and A:G ratio (p >0.05) due to the inclusion of JFP. Serum ALT level was not affected, whereas AST level was significantly lower in T2 (64.72 IU/L) compared to T0 (90.34 IU/L). Thus, JFP could be safely included up to 20% level in a concentrated mixture of Osmanabadi goats.

To evaluate the effect of diet supplementation with Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) on egg quality traits of Japanese quails, a study was conducted for 16 weeks. For this purpose, a total of 270 adult female quails and 90 adult male quails of seven weeks of age were divided into 5 groups (M0, M0.5, M1, M1.5, and M2) of 3 replicates of 24 birds (18 females and 6 males) each. The groups corresponded to 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2% inclusion levels of MOLM. The egg quality traits were studied fortnightly in four randomly collected eggs per replicate. An improvement (P≤0.05) in the egg quality traits, particularly egg shape index, albumen index, yolk colour score, and Haugh unit was recorded in the quails fed MOLM-based diets which denote better egg quality and higher chances of acceptability of the eggs by the consumer. It is concluded that MOLM can be safely included at 2% in the diets of Japanese quails.

The effect of feeder design on the growth performance of the Osmanabadi goat kids was investigated at the Seed Centre for Osmanabadi Goats-DRS Farm, Dau Shri Vasudev Chandrakar Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Durg, (CG, India) for a period of 60 days during the winter season. A total of 18 Osmanabadi weaned kids were randomly divided into three groups with six kids (3 males and 3 females) in each group viz T1, T2 and T3. T1 group kids (control) were kept on conventional feeder, T2 on circular feeder and T3 on linear feeder. The maximum (P>0.05) mean body weight was observed on the 60th day in T3 (13.23±0.33), as compared to T2 followed by T1. Similarly, a significantly higher mean body length was observed in T3 as compared to T1 and T2 groups on 45th and 60th day of the study. The maximum mean heart girth was observed on the 60th day in T3 (57.5±0.67) followed by T2 (55.3±1.4). Furthermore, the maximum mean height at wither was observed on the 60th day in T3 (58.1 ± 0.7) than T2 (57.1 ± 0.7) and T1 (55.8 ± 1.7). Our results revealed that modified linear feeder design positively influenced the growth performance of goat kids.

Butyric acid, a short- chain fatty acid is considered as a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoter in poultry feed. The present study investigated the effect of feeding graded levels of butyric acid on the performance of broiler chickens. Day-old broiler chicks (n=180) were divided into 6 groups with 3 replicates of 10 chicks in each. The diets were formulated using conventional feed ingredients. Six diets were formulated for pre starter, starter and finisher phases. Diet I was NC (T0), diet II contained antibiotic bacitracin @ 50 mg/kg (T1) and diets III,IV,V and VI contained butyric acid at graded levels i.e. 0.2,0.4,0.6 and 0.8% in groups T2 to T5 respectively. The average body weight during the 4th and 5th weeks of study increased significantly (P<0.01) in T3 as compared to other groups. The weekly feed intake at 4th week was significantly (P<0.01) lower in birds of supplemented groups (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) as compared to NC(T0). The cumulative feed conversion ratio was significantly (P<0.01) better in T3 as compared to T1, T2 and T5,however no significant difference was observed between T3 and T4. The dry matter and crude protein metabolizability were significantly (P<0.01) higher in all the treatment groups as compared to negative control(T0).Among the treatment groups the per cent retention of phosphorus was significantly higher in supplemented groups as compared to NC. It is concluded that butyric acid @ 0.4% could be a better alternative to antibiotic bacitracin, which is widely used in commercial broiler feed regimens to improve performance.

Cow dung is very useful as fertilizer, with help of earthworms a unique product vermicompost is formed. Importance of vermicompost over chemical fertilizer is accepted by all. There is plenty of cow dung but vermi tank are limited, here we have discussed some innovations to fasten the process of maturation by using decomposer, bacteria and fungi species, here we have reviewed different methods. It found significantly higher phosphorus percent in slurry method, slight more K percent compare to conventional method, not much difference in N content are reported, almost two folds increase in useful bacteria fungi and azotobacter population are recorded as compare to conventional. There are reported increase in N and P contents of manure after inoculation of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and N-fixing bacteria. Waste decomposer which contains fungi Trichoderma viridae and strains of bacteria Pseudomonus fluorescence and Azotobactor chroococcum also impart positive effects on nutrients composition in manure and also a symbiosis effect on earthworm population. The method of Pile composting enriched with decomposer will be prove as very useful for huge quantity waste with less resources and time.