Ph.D. Thesis

OSTRICH (Struthio camelus) PRODUCTION THROUGH NUTRITION, BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS AND IMPROVING REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE UNDER THE FARMING CONDITION IN BANGLADESH

2025-08-01T00:00:00Z

OSTRICH (Struthio camelus) PRODUCTION THROUGH NUTRITION, BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS AND IMPROVING REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE UNDER THE FARMING CONDITION IN BANGLADESH ISLAM, KHANDOKER TOUHIDUL Ostrich farming is gaining increasing attention in Bangladesh as an alternative and profitable enterprise to traditional livestock systems. The ostrich (Struthio camelus), known for its fast growth, high feed efficiency, lean red meat, and large eggs, holds considerable potential for commercial-scale farming. However, the development of ostrich farming in Bangladesh is constrained by limited scientific knowledge, a lack of species specific management practices, and suboptimal reproductive outcomes. This dissertation was designed to comprehensively assess the biological, behavioral, nutritional, and reproductive parameters of ostriches reared under semi-intensive farming systems in Bangladesh, with a view to identifying strategies for improvement and long-term sustainability. The study consisted of six integrated components. First, a baseline survey identified the major bottlenecks and opportunities within the emerging ostrich farming sector. Second, the effects of dietary methionine and lysine supplementation on growth performance and survivability of ostrich chicks were examined. Third, behavioral patterns and social interactions of captive ostriches were studied to better understand ethological needs under farm conditions. Fourth, detailed carcass analysis was performed to evaluate meat yield and nutritional composition. Fifth, ostrich eggs were examined for physical characteristics and nutrient content. Sixth, reproductive challenges and hatchability under artificial incubation were investigated. Results revealed that feed cost, breeder performance, technical limitations, and lack of veterinary support are critical constraints. Methionine (0.2%) and lysine (0.15%) supplementation significantly improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). Ethological observations identified clear diurnal activity cycles, mating behaviors, and social hierarchies that influence welfare and productivity. Meat analysis showed high protein (22.4%) and low fat (1.8%) levels, and eggs exhibited large size, strong shells, and nutrient-dense yolk. Hatchability through artificial incubation reached 68.2%, although early embryonic mortality remained a key concern. This research provides foundational knowledge that supports scientific management of ostriches in subtropical climates. It offers practical recommendations for enhancing productivity and reproductive success, while informing policy and extension strategies for promoting ostrich farming as a viable agribusiness in Bangladesh. OSTRICH (Struthio camelus) PRODUCTION THROUGH NUTRITION, BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS AND IMPROVING REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE UNDER THE FARMING CONDITION IN BANGLADESH; A Dissertation Submitted By KHANDOKER TOUHIDUL ISLAM, Registration No.: 2005166, In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy In Animal Nutrition Department of Animal Science and Nutrition, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200 Bangladesh; AUGUST, 2025.

MEAT YIELD, QUALITY AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIGENOUS AND CROSSBRED CATTLE REARED UNDER IMPROVED FEEDING SYSTEM

2016-12-01T00:00:00Z

MEAT YIELD, QUALITY AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIGENOUS AND CROSSBRED CATTLE REARED UNDER IMPROVED FEEDING SYSTEM SIDDQUE, MD. ABU BAKKUR A study was conducted to develop suitable and cost effective feeding system for improving performance and meat quality of indigenous and crossbred (HF × L) cattle of Bangladesh. After conducting a baseline survey on the existing feeding and management systems of indigenous and crossbred cattle, and the socio-economic conditions of the farmers, 40 farmers were selected for the fattening program from two villages (Kathalbaria and Char Faridpur) of Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj district. Twenty indigenous bulls (average body weight 208.08 ± 13.98 kg) and twenty crossbred (L × HF) bulls (average body weight 256.26 ± 26.85 kg) of 24 months of age were divided into four equal groups were fed on four diets (T0, T1, T2 and T3) up to 120 days, where T0 referred to the conventional diet and T1, T2 and T3 referred as improved diets. Required DM for individual animal was supplied by roughage and concentrate sources of the ration in the ratio of 2:1. Local grass and paddy straw were supplied to group T0 and T1, Napier grass and straw to group T2, and Napier grass, straw and Ipil ipil leaf to group T3 as roughage; whereas concentrate was supplied as 1.5% of live weight. The results revealed that, total DM intake, FCR and ADG of experimental animals were affected (p<0.01) by feed treatment, breed, and interaction of breed and feed treatment. Crossbred bulls of diet group T3 showed the highest DM intake (11.07 kg/d) and ADG (1.17 kg), and the lowest FCR (9.48); while indigenous bulls of group T0 showed the lowest DM intake (5.32 kg/d), ADG (0.27 kg) and the highest FCR (19.7). Breed type and feed treatment interaction had significant (p<0.01) effect on pre-slaughter body measurements, carcass yield characteristics, and most of the parameters for yield of primal cuts and non-carcass components of the experimental animals. Feed treatments also affected (p<0.01) different pre-slaughter body measurements, carcass yield characteristics, weights of most of the primal cuts as percent of chilled carcass weight of indigenous bulls, and most of the parameters for yield of non-carcass components. Different body measurements, carcass yield parameters and non-carcass components were significantly higher (p<0.01) for crossbred bulls than the indigenous bulls, but yield of primal cuts did not affected (p>0.05) by breed type. The highest retail cut percentage (54.59%, yield grade-1.00) was found for group T3 of crossbred bulls and the lowest retail cut percentage (52.45%, yield grade 1.97) was found for group T0 of native bulls. Among different physical properties of meat breed and feed treatment interaction significantly affected cooking loss (p<0.01), marbling score (p<0.05) and color score (p<0.01); but did not affect (p>0.05) meat pH and drip loss. Feed treatments had no significant effect on physical properties of meat of indigenous bulls, except effect (p<0.01) on cooking loss and color score of meat of crossbred bulls. Cooking loss and marbling score of meat were significantly higher (p<0.01 and p<0.05) for crossbred bulls than the native bulls, while meat pH, drip loss and color score were not affected (p>0.05) by breed type. Breed and feed treatment interaction had significant effect (p<0.01) on proximate compositions of meat, but the proximate compositions did not vary significantly (p>0.05) among different feed treatment groups. Moisture content was higher (p<0.01) for meat of crossbred bulls, while protein, fat and ash content of meat was lower (p<0.01) in crossbred bulls than the native bulls. The sensory properties of beef i.e. the tenderness, chewiness, fineness, beef flavor intensity and color of beef from indigenous bulls were higher than the crossbred bulls although not significant (p>0.05); which caused higher (p<0.05) overall acceptability of meat for indigenous bulls than the crossbred bulls. Total viable count (TVC) of beef ranged from 3.63 log10 CFU/g to 4.90 log10 CFU/g (P<0.01) among different feed treatment groups of indigenous and crossbred bulls, but did not exceed the recommended safe limit of ICMSF (1986) for beef. Feed cost per day (BDT/d), feed cost per kg LW gain (BDT/kg LWG), total cost (BDT) and net return (BDT) were also affected (p<0.01) by feed treatments, breed type and interaction of breed and feed treatment. Indigenous and crossbred bulls fed diet T3 had comparatively higher daily feed cost (76.66 and 112.9 BDT/d, respectively), and lower feed costs per kg LW gain (BDT 156/kg LWG and BDT 96.78/kg LWG, respectively); while lower daily feed costs (45.99 and 59.26 BDT/d, respectively), and higher feed cost per kg LW gain (169.94 and 130.86 BDT/kg LWG, respectively) were found for diet T0. Both for indigenous and crossbred bulls, diet T0 showed significantly (p<0.01) lower total costs (33305.2 BDT and 47577 BDT, respectively) and net returns (622.8 BDT and 2324.8 BDT, respectively), while improved diet (T3) showed significantly (p<0.01) higher total costs (42569.8 BDT and 56563 BDT, respectively) and net returns (2951.6 and 6683 BDT, respectively) in this cattle fattening program. Crossbred bulls showed significantly higher (p<0.01) total cost and net return than the indigenous bulls. So considering all the above findings, it may be concluded that fattening of indigenous bulls could be suitable for production of better quality beef meat with lower cooking loss, marbling, prime color, higher protein, fat, ash content and consumer acceptability. But, crossbred (HF × L) bulls treated with improved diet T3 (rice straw + Napier grass + concentrate + Ipil ipil leaf) could be more effective and economically feasible for beef cattle production in Bangladesh. MEAT YIELD, QUALITY AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIGENOUS AND CROSSBRED CATTLE REARED UNDER IMPROVED FEEDING SYSTEM; A Dissertation Of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY By MD. ABU BAKKUR SIDDQUE, Registration No.: 0905093, Session: 2013, Department of General Animal Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University Dinajpur-5200; December, 2016.

EFFECTS OF MANAGEMENT INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING ON INDIGENOUS (DESI) CHICKEN OF BANGLADESH

2011-11-01T00:00:00Z

EFFECTS OF MANAGEMENT INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING ON INDIGENOUS (DESI) CHICKEN OF BANGLADESH Hasnath, M. Rashed The aims of study-1 was to determine the effects of separating baby chicks from their mother hen on commencement of next laying clutch of mother hen and growth rate of chicks and survival rate from 0 to 8 weeks of age. A native hen spends a higher percentage of its time in incubation of eggs, caring, rearing and protecting her chicks after hatching with low nutritional status of itself which is one of the reasons for delaying in commencement of next clutch and consequently low productivity. Egg production of native chicken assumed to be increased by shortening weaning period and improving nutrient intake. An on-farm trial was conducted in two locations (Dhamrai, Dhaka and Ullapara, Sirajganj, Bangladesh) during June 2009 to May 2010. In study-1 the chicks were separated at 3 weeks, 5 weeks and 7 weeks from mother hens, no chicks separation from mother hen as a control group was also in the study. The results showed for the above weeks that the next laying clutch of days were 36.33+2.5, 50.27+5.7, 56.8+4.7 and 63.47+7.3, respectively upon chick separation. The time period of commencement of next laying clutch was significantly different on age of chick separation (p<0.001). On the other hand, the separation of chicks from mother hen at 3, 5, 7 weeks and no chick separation had no significant effect on number of eggs laid in the next clutch. Body weights of chicks at 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 weeks at two locations were significantly different among the treatments. Body weights of mother hens at laying period and body weight after hatching period had no significant difference. The survival rate of chicks at 3 weeks was significantly higher compared to 5, 7 weeks and no chick separation group which showed that separation of chicks at 3 weeks decreased the time to next commencement of laying of mother hen. In study-2 supplementation of balanced mash feed was given to mother hen and baby chicks during June 2010 to May 2011 at the same two locations to know the effects of feed supplementation on them. The number of egg production of each clutch was higher with the significant difference (p<0.001) of 60 gm of balance mash feed compared to 40 gm, 50 gm and no supplementation. The weight of eggs were not significantly different among the treatments. Body weight of 8 weeks of chicks with 60 per cent balanced mash feed supplementation was significantly different (p<0.001) compared to 40 per cent, 50 per cent and no supplementation feed. The effect of feed supplementation on egg quality of shape index, albumen index, yolk index, Haugh Unit and shell thickness had no significant effect on different treatments, but the yolk color of fully scavenging group was significantly different compared to other treatments. The economic efficiency of the 60 gm supplementary group was higher compared to other treatments of feed supplementation. It is concluded that indigenous (Desi) chicken are more viable and economical with rural usual nourishment if they are treated with 60 gm balanced mash feed supplementation. Body weight and survival rate of chicks separated at 3 weeks were higher which implies that chick separation and feed supplementation is necessary for improvement of indigenous (Desi) chicken of Bangladesh. Village poultry make a substantial contribution to household food security throughout the developing world. It helps the diversity incomes and provides highquality food and fertilizer and acts as a renewable asset in over 80per cent of rural households (FAO, 2004). Irrespective of where the resource poor areas of the world are located and where scavenging poultry are reared, there are certain aspects that are common: The keepers of scavenging poultry usually maintain a few (2-10) birds, are generally females and children and are frequently the poorest people in the community (Acamovic & Sinurate, 2005). Small holder poultry production is primarily from free range birds and there are few or no inputs. These birds are known around the world by different names, including family, scavenging, free range, desi, rural and backyard poultry, and chickens are the main species kept (Acamovic ef al., 2005).Village chickens are not purebred animals because considerable crossbreeding (Van Eekeren et al., 1995). These birds seen to be well adapted to their harsh environmental conditions, such as temperature extremes, heavy rainfall and periodic feed shortage (Gueye, 1998).