Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
Livestock resources
Tamil Nadu has notable cattle breeds such as Kangayam, Alambadi, Umblachery and Pulikulam, plus buffaloes, sheep (Madras Red, Nilgiri), goats (Kanni Adu, Kodi Adu, Salem Black) and poultry. The exam tests breeds, feeding, breeding systems, disease control and livestock economics.
Nutrition and breeding
- Feed consists of roughage (green and dry fodder) and concentrate. Rations must meet maintenance and production needs.
- Breeding systems include inbreeding, outcrossing and crossbreeding; artificial insemination is widely used.
- Health care includes vaccination, deworming, sanitation and prompt treatment. Important diseases are foot-and-mouth disease, haemorrhagic septicaemia, black quarter, anthrax, peste des petits ruminants, Newcastle disease and mastitis.
Worked example (Pearson square)
Formulate 100 kg of 16% crude protein feed from maize (9% CP) and groundnut cake (40% CP). Parts maize = 40 − 16 = 24; parts GNC = 16 − 9 = 7; total = 31. Maize = 24 ÷ 31 × 100 = 77.4 kg; GNC = 7 ÷ 31 × 100 = 22.6 kg. Check: (77.4 × 0.09) + (22.6 × 0.40) = 6.97 + 9.04 = 16.0% CP. The reasoning is that the square balances the two ingredients around the target protein level.
Traps that cost marks
Confusing crude protein with total digestible nutrients; feeding extra concentrate without water; confusing FMD with PPR, which mainly affects goats and sheep; using expired vaccines; and depriving calves of colostrum.