Animal Husbandry and Poultry Science: Ration, Health and Efficiency
Breeds and species in Assam
Cattle: indigenous Assam hill cattle and Jersey/Holstein Friesian crosses. Buffalo: local types and Murrah. Goat: Black Bengal and Assam hill goat. Pig: Large White Yorkshire, Hampshire and local types. Poultry: Vanaraja, Giriraja, Kadaknath, commercial broilers (Cobb, Ross) and layers. Ducks: Pati and Nageswari, well adapted to wetlands and beels.
Nutrition and health
A balanced ration combines roughage and concentrate and meets crude protein, energy (TDN), mineral and vitamin needs. Clean water is a nutrient, not a luxury. Vaccination schedule: Marek's at hatchery, Ranikhet (ND) F1 in the first week, LaSota at 4–6 weeks, IBD and fowl pox as per local schedule; deworming at 4–6 weeks. Biosecurity, dry litter and coccidiosis control prevent most loss.
Worked example
A broiler batch consumed 3.6 kg feed per bird and gained 1.8 kg live weight. FCR = feed consumed ÷ weight gain = 3.6 ÷ 1.8 = 2.0. At ₹35 per kg feed, feed cost per kg live weight = 2.0 × 35 = ₹70. Improving FCR to 1.8 gives ₹63/kg - a saving of ₹7 per kg. This is why FCR, not feed price alone, drives broiler profitability.
Traps that cost marks
- Inverting FCR (gain ÷ feed).
- Describing Ranikhet disease as bacterial and treatable with antibiotics - it is viral.
- Applying layer management and lighting to broilers.
- Ignoring the difference between roughage and concentrate in ration formulation.