eChapters

Wet litter can be caused by extrinsic or intrinsic factors related to excessive excretion of water. When the moisture content of litter exceeds 35%, it can lead to various issues, including pododermatitis of the foot pads, resulting in poor growth rate in broilers and low fertility in breeder flocks. Wet litter can also contribute to inflammation of the feather follicles. This can lead to gangrenous dermatitis, which is responsible for downgrading at processing or rejection by consumers. Additionally, wet litter is often associated with outbreaks of coccidiosis, as the oocysts of Eimeria spp. require moisture levels over 25% to mature. Necrotic enteritis occurs frequently in houses with areas of wet litter, while damp litter may contribute to the proliferation of toxic fungi.

Poultry holds significant value as it provides essential protein, vitamins, and mineral nutrients, including eggs and chicken meat.Poultry is a significant source of organic fertilizer and generates income and employment for millions of farmers and other poultry cultivators. The bigger and richer the industry, the more problems they face.Infectious diseases transmitted by flies, majorly house flies (Musca domestica) and other insects are the primary concern for poultry farmers on their farm. The threat of flies is a major problem worldwide wherever poultry farming is an important economic activity.In livestock and medical treatments, flies are significant pests that can cause irritation, spoilage of food, and serve as vectors for various pathogenic organisms. They are also highly destructive.

The thermal range ideal for poultry rearing is 130C to 240C and is known as thermo neutral zone. Any temperature on either side of this zone falls in the critical range (240C-380C and 0-130C) and is detrimental to birds. Heat stress (HS) happens when the amount of heat produced by a bird exceeds the bird’s capability to dissipate the heat from the body to its surrounding environment both by sensible and insensible heat loss. The imbalance between heat production and dissipation result due to variations in a combination of various factors viz. sunlight, temperature of the air, humidity etc. and individual variations at bird level viz. sex, breed, species and physiological status (Lara and Rostagno, 2013). During heat stress, the birds reduce their heat production by decreased feed intake and increased water consumption.

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxic secondary metabolites produced by molds. More than 25% of world’s food crops are contaminated with mycotoxins (Eskola et al., 2020). Like other environmental pollutants, mycotoxins also harm the health and productivity of animals and poultry. Mycotoxin development typically occurs in the field, during feed processing and storage under unfavourable conditions. Factors such as temperature changes, storage time, and conditions play a crucial role in fungal growth and aflatoxin synthesis.

Losses caused by Eimeria in Intestine of poultry are well known from more than century (Chapman, 2014) and their important information like life cycle, pathogenesis, global distribution are well established (Shirley et al., 2005). Heavy infection of coccidiosis in poultry leads to necrotic enteritis, reduced feed conversion ratio and even some species of Eimeria are responsible for mortality of birds (Shirley et al., 2005; Williams, 1999).Due to economic losses caused by Eimeria, prophylactic use of anticoccidial drugs and live parasitic vaccine are used in poultry industry (Blake and Tomley, 2014).

A novel approach to immunisation is edible vaccines that work by using plants as bio factories to create immunogenic proteins that, when ingested, can provide immunity. The idea is to genetically modify plants such that they express genes that code for pathogen proteins or antigens. Then, because they stimulate the synthesis of vaccine components within their tissues, these genetically engineered plants serve as vaccine delivery vehicles. The hepatitis B vaccination served as the model for immunogenicity in humans in the early research on edible vaccines.

Poultry production in India has emerged as a rapid growing sector among agricultural and livestock sector. Indian poultry industry has made a significant impact in economic, nutritional and socio-cultural aspects including livelihoods of poor rural households. Ever since its inception and is presently emerging as sun rise sector with a growth rate of 10-15% and overall turnover of Rs 70,000/- crore. Despite of frequent ingress with various pathogenic avian diseases including avian influenza, which is a severe setback for the industry, India has sustained globally as 3rd and 5th biggest country for egg and meat production respectively. Emerging and re-emerging poultry diseases in the country are posing significant challenges to the poultry industry.

Antibiotics have been used since their discovery to cure illness at therapeutic levels and to boost animal feed production at subtherapeutic levels by promoting animal development. Antibiotics have been regarded as necessary additives or supplements for improved growth and preservation of a healthy intestinal ecology in the production of chicken for more than 50 years (Huyghebaert et al., 2011). The Indian government outlawed the use of antibiotics in poultry feed in 2019. (Colistin, for example, is no longer allowed in poultry feed.) As a result, a lot of effort is being put into creating antibiotic substitutes. Alternatives to antibiotics should ideally possess the same advantageous qualities.

β-glucans are carbohydrates made of complex glucose polymers that provides the major structure found in the cell wall of yeast, fungi, algae, and cereal grains such as oats and barley. The structures of β-glucans vary depending on the original source and the type of linkages present on the glucose polymers. β-glucans consist of a backbone of glucose molecules linked at the 1 and 3 carbon atoms (Jacob and Pescatore, 2017). The six-sided glucose rings are connected together in linear or branched forms with glycosidic linkages. The structure of these glycosidic linkages will affect the functionality of the β-glucan molecules.

The acidifiers could be used to favourably manipulate the intestinal microbial populations and improve the immune response, hence perform an activity similar to antibiotics in feed. Acidifiers also improve the digestibility of nutrients and increases the absorption of minerals. The incorporation of organic acids also leads to thinning of the intestinal lining which facilitates better absorption of nutrients and its efficient utilization. However, their effect will not be similar among all types of organic acids as their mechanism of activity is based on its pKa value. At present, coated salts of acidifiers are available commercially for use in feed of poultry.

Poultry is one of the fastest growing segments of livestock in India. The major growth promoters used in broiler diets in the past were antibiotics, which have been found helpful in improvement of growth performance and feed conversion ratio in poultry (Miles et al., 2006). However, constant supplementation of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in poultry feed led to residual effects in poultry products and usage of antibiotics in sub-therapeutic concentrations resulted in development of antibiotic resistant bacteria (Diaz et al., 2015) which represent a public health hazard.

The poultry industry in India is experiencing rapid growth, with meat production and egg production increasing by 5.13% and 6.77%, respectively, in 2022-2023 compared to the previous year (BAHS, 2023). Numerous factors and challenges impact poultry production on a global scale, such as intense international competition, evolving consumer attitudes toward food safety, animal welfare, and environmental conservation. Poultry commonly harbor infectious diseases that can also affect humans, with many of these zoonotic diseases having reservoirs in mammalian species other than humans, adding complexity to their management.

Poultry has grown significantly over the last few decades; nevertheless, as production has increased, the usage of specific medications and feed additives has become essential for illness prevention, treatment, and growth promotion. Around the world, broiler chickens are regarded as one of the main sources of meat. Poultry consumption has increased by more than 100% in the last few decades, from 13% of total meat consumption in 1965 to 28% in 2015. All around the world, but especially in emerging and Asian nations, there is a growing need for chicken meat. The amount of poultry meat consumed worldwide increased from 11 kg per person in 2000 to 14.4 kg in 2011, with predictions that it will reach 17.2 kg per person by 2030.

In recent years, the global agricultural landscape has witnessed a paradigm shift towards more sustainable and ethical practices, with a particular focus on the well- being of animals. One such notable transformation is evident in the egg production industry, where traditional methods are being reconsidered in favour of more humane alternatives. Cage-free farming has emerged as a promising path, not only for meeting the demands of a conscientious consumer base but also for addressing concerns related to animal welfare. Cage-free farming represents a departure from conventional egg production systems that confine laying hens to small, restrictive cages. Instead, it offers an environment that allows hens to express natural behaviors, such as walking, spreading their wings, and nesting.

At a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%, the global poultry industry expanded from $352.02 billion in 2022 to $378.84 billion in 2023. Global production of chicken meat was projected to reach 103.4 million metric tons in 2023, primarily as a result of rising output in China, India, Brazil, and the US. India is currently the world’s second-largest egg producer (138.3 billion eggs in 2022–2023), trailing only China. It is also the world’s fifth-largest broiler producer (producing 4.99 metric tons (MT) in 2022–2023), behind China, the United States, Brazil, and the Russian Federation.

Introduction

This chapter gives an account of a summary of the significant findings of the study, followed by tenability of hypotheses, suggestions, further areas of research in the related areas, and a conclusion. The present study investigated the Quality of Work Life (QWL) of Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals working in Kerala’s eight prominent state universities. The data of the study were collected from the two hundred and sixty-six 266 regular qualified LIS professionals. 

This chapter presents the analysis and interpretation of data gathered through a structured questionnaire to conduct the current study. Data analysis and interpretation of data is the most significant part of the research report. It contains a detailed analysis of major results about the information for arriving at a valid conclusion. It helps to interpret the results of the study in a proper perspective. Based on the objectives and hypotheses formulated, the data was collected through a questionnaire. Likert’s scale was used to assess the opinions of the respondents. 

Introduction

Libraries are a center of information for the academic community of the universities in Kerala. It acts as a gateway to global knowledge. Libraries provide seamless access to the information that supports teaching, learning research, and extension. It also ensures fair access to knowledge in the academic community. The libraries fulfill the objectives of their parent organization. It caters to the educational needs of students, researchers, and faculty/Scientists of the universities for study, research, teaching, and extension activities.

Introduction

Quality of Work Life (QWL) is a popular concept among the organizations. Work is an essential part of everyday human life. Work influences the overall quality of life. Human resources are one of the main assets of any organization. Quality of work life (QWL) is one of the important subsystems of human resource management. There are economic, social, psychological and organizational aspects of work life. Many new subsystems are being added to human resource management with employees’ changing needs, culture, expectations, and work environment.

Introduction

It has been proved that libraries play a crucial role in education. Libraries have been collecting, preserving, and organizing knowledge since time immemorial. In the age of virtual information, libraries have been reinventing themselves as accessible and engaging learning spaces. Libraries existed in India during the ancient and medieval periods. The library is the primary requirement of the university. University libraries have a paramount role in developing university education in the country. The present chapter highlights the historical development of libraries, committees, and commissions on university libraries in India.

Introduction

This chapter reviews literature related to the current study on Quality of Work Life (QWL). Scrutiny of the available literature is of great value in gaining insight into the research problem. It is beneficial for strengthening the research problem. As there are fewer studies on QWL in the university libraries in Kerala, the works reported in other places were also reviewed. Hence, the available studies related to the topic are exhaustively reviewed. The review covers studies on the subject made at the regional, national, and international levels.

Introduction

Human beings are the most critical components of an organization. The organization’s survival has improved all the facets contributing to its success. In a competitive world, human resources are sine qua non in an organization. Quality of work life (QWL) is critical for deciding organizational employee- related outcomes. Human resource management has a unique role in any organization. Organizational goals in an organization are achieved through planning, organization, staffing, direction, coordination, and control. 

In recent years, the demand for rabbit meat and products has been steadily increasing in India. This has led to a growing interest in rabbit farming and research in the country. The future of rabbit research in India looks promising, with ongoing efforts to improve breeding techniques, nutrition, and disease management. Some of the key areas of focus include developing high-yielding breeds that are well adapted to the Indian climate and improving feed formulations to optimize growth and productivity. As there is also a rising interest in rabbit fur production, research is being conducted on ways to enhance fur quality and increase its market value. Furthermore, studies are being carried out on the potential health benefits of consuming rabbit meat as a source of lean protein. 

Rabbit-based cuisine has been made and enjoyed on a regular basis since the first early civilisations in the Mediterranean region. Rabbit is an easy-care plant that grows well in backyards and on farms. There are notable differences in rabbit production between nations. In 2020, Asia produced 70.5% of the world's rabbit meat, with Europe coming in second. Based on estimated figures obtained from FAOSTAT, there was a 24.1% decline in the global production of rabbit meat between 2010 and 2020.

Many families who have had the pleasure of raising rabbits consider them to be valuable members of their family. Unfortunately, rabbits are susceptible to a wide range of issues and illnesses, much like other pets. Upper respiratory tract infections (snuffles), internal and external parasites, dental disease, gastrointestinal (GI) stasis, uterine issues (cancer or infections), and pododermatitis (foot sores or sore hocks) are common illnesses that affect pet rabbits. Rabbits are incredibly prolific creatures with a vast potential for procreation. 

There are three sizes of rabbit farms: small, medium, and giant. Initially, their owners typically had a small number of does and a stock of growing bunnies for their personal use. Rabbit farms began expanding and selling animals when butchers began to sell rabbit meat. Breeds, housing conditions, feeding practices, and management strategies were all developed in accordance with the increase in does. In Europe, backyard stock owners have a mediocre interest in expertise. 

The management of a rabbit herd is a crucial aspect that requires careful planning and organization. As part of a larger scheme involving five medium-sized rabbit farms, the production and marketing of live rabbits and rabbit meat were streamlined into a single business. Although this may differ from the usual backyard production system, it serves as an ideal example of how one can modify their approach to suit specific needs. The success of this scheme lies in its detailed design, which ensures efficient management and optimal output for the herd. 

In the rabbit production industry, providing a healthy diet and adequate amount of food every day is crucial for success. Rabbits can only survive and thrive on a diet of forage, so it is important to carefully consider their nutritional needs when planning their feeding regimen.

Some rabbit producers choose to provide basic grains in addition to forages in order to increase the potential productivity of their herd. These grains can be sourced from one's own farm or purchased commercially as concentrated feeds. The type of feed given to rabbits will greatly impact the management of the herd, such as how frequently they need to be rebred.

The success of a rabbitry depends heavily on the equipment and hutches used. Climate, location, and budget all play a role in determining the type of equipment needed. Before constructing the hutches, careful planning is necessary to minimize labor and ensure optimum working conditions. A clean and efficient layout should also be considered in order to provide an ideal environment for raising rabbits. With a wide range of hutch designs available, it is important to choose one that best suits the specific needs and purpose of the rabbitry.

Breeds of rabbits: There is a diverse range of breeds when it comes to domestic rabbits, with each one possessing unique qualities. Currently, there are 38 recognized breeds and 87 varieties of rabbits that are well established all around the world. These breeds and varieties differ in various aspects such as color, size, type of hair coat, and other characteristics. Depending on their purpose, rabbits can be categorized into three groups: those bred for meat production, those bred for fur production, and those kept as companion animals.

Rabbits belong to the mammalian order Lagomorpha, which includes rabbits, hares, and Pikas. Fossil records indicate that Lagomorpha originated in Asia over 40 million years ago during the Eocene period. The continental drift during this period likely contributed to the diverse distribution of rabbit and hare species worldwide, excluding Australia. There are over 60 recognized breeds of domestic rabbits in Europe and America, all descended from the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), the only widely domesticated rabbit species. This species is distinct from native rabbits like North American jackrabbits and cottontail rabbits, as well as all hare species.

Food security is a pressing global concern that requires immediate attention. The rapid pace of urbanization and industrialization has resulted in a reduction of available land for agriculture, making it increasingly difficult to meet the growing demand for food. In countries like India, where there is already a shortage of meat, rabbit farming has shown great potential in helping to bridge this gap.

PART-A

Q1. Elimination of drug is studied under?

1. Pharmacokinetics
2. Pharmacometrics
3. Toxicodynamics
4. Toxicoelimination

Q2. Serpentine receptor is characterized by

1. 7 Transmembrane loop
2. Petals of lilly like structure
3. Zinc fingers
4. JAK STAT

Q3. Status epilepsy is treated best with lorazepm/diazepam

1. Per rectal
2. Intravenous
3. Intramuscular
4. Oral

Q1. Which of the following is semisynthetic product:

1. Chlortetracycline
2. Chloramphenicol
3. Tetracycline
4. Oxytetracycline

Q2. Natural source of amphotericin B is:

1. Streptomyces aureofaciencs
2. Streptomyces nodosus
3. Streptomyces erythreus
4. Streptomyces venezuelse

Q3. Following is /are mitotic inhibitor

1. Paclitaxel
2. Griseofulvin
3. Vinblastine
4. All of the above

PART-A

1. Indicate True/False for the following

1. Super infection phenomenon is common with antibiotics that are given as depot preparation.______
2. A combination of penicillin and chlortetracycline leads to antagonism of antimicrobial activity.______
3. Bactericidal drugs act most effectively on toxins librated by organism.
   1. Most of the laboratory sensitivity tests are conducted at a pH of 4-5.______

Q1. Halothane is metabolized in to

1. Trifluoracetic acid
2. Inorganic chloride
3. Bromine
4. All the above

Q2. Psychomotor stimulants causes

1. Excitement
2. Relieve fatigue
3. Increase motor activity
4. All the above

Q3. Repeated administration of barbiturate causes

1. Tolerance
2. Drug dependence
3. Toxicity
4. All the above

Q1. Alpha naphthyl thiourea is less toxic

1. In an empty stomach
2. With oily food
3. Full stomach
4. Not affected

Q2. A rodenticide that blocks tricarboxylic acid cycle by competitive inhibition of the enzyme aconitase

1. Fluoroacetamide
2. Pindone
3. Chloralose
4. All the above

Q3. ANTU is less toxic in an empty stomach a) In an empty stomach it will irritate the stomach wall resulting in vomiting and throwing away the poison and hence no toxicity.

1. Absorb only with fatty materials
2. Immediate absorption and detoxification
3. All the above
4. None of the above

Q1. The exit of drug from C.S.F. irrespective of its entry is by:

1. Passive diffusion
2. Filtration
3. Facilitated diffusion
4. All of the above.

Q2. The number of half-lives required to reach 99% of steady state concentration is:

1. 3.3
2. 4.4
3. 5.5
4. 6.6

Q3. The receptor concept was first introduced by:

1. J.N. Langely in 1878
2. Simonis in 1964
3. Paul Ehrlich in 1926
4. Wakcsman in 1826

Q1. Penicillins disrupt the formation of following peptide bond during its antibacterial action on bacteria:

1. D-alanine-D-aspartate
2. D-alanine- D-glutamate
3. D-Glycine-D-alanine
4. D-alanine-D-alanine

Q2. In E.coli, topoisomerase IV, the target enzyme of the quinolones is encoded by the genes

1. parC and parE
2. gyrA and gyrB
3. par C and gyr A
4. parE and gyrB

Q3. Streptomycin interferes in protein synthesis by inhibiting the start codon

1. AUG
2. AAU
3. UUA
4. AGUa

Q1. Glucuronide conjugation occurs in the compounds with following functional groups:

1. Hydroxyl
2. Carboxyl
3. Amino
4. All above

Q2. Which of the following is not a chelating agent:

1. Dimercaprol
2. Penicillamine
3. Dimethyl sulfoxide
4. Ca-EDTA

Q3. Most appropriate treatment of acute organophosphate toxicity:

1. Atropine alone
2. 2-PAM alone
3. Atropine + 2-PAM
4. Sod. Thiosulphate alone

Q1. The nitrogen atom of amino group in basic structure of sulfonamide is designated as

1. N1
2. N2
3. N3
4. N4

Q2. Trimethoprim produces synergistic action by interfering the synthesis of

1. Dihydrofolic acid from tetrahydrofolic acid
2. Tetrahydrofolic acid from dihydrofolic acid
3. mRNA from DNA
4. tRNA from DNA

Q3. An ophthalmic sulfonamide is

1. Sulfaguinidine
2. Sulfadimidine
3. Sulfadimethoxine
4. Sodium sulfacetamide

Q1. Resistance in tetracycline is due to mutational changes in

1. Tet A gene
2. Kat G
3. Par C par E
4. Inh A

Q2. Single step mutation can be seen in

1. Erythromycin
2. Tetracycline
3. Chloramphenicol
4. Rifampicin

Q3. Multistep mutation is observed in

1. Streptomycin
2. Rifampicin
3. Both A and C
4. Tetracycline

Q1. The exit of drug from C.S.F. irrespective of its entry is by

1. Passive diffusion
2. Filtration
3. Facilitated diffusion
4. All of the above

Q2. The number of half-lives required to reach 99% of steady state concentration is

1. 3.3
2. 4.4
3. 5.5
4. 6.6

Q3. The receptor concept was first introduced by

1. J.N. Langley in 1878
2. Simonis in 1964
3. Paul Ehrlich in 1926
4. Walksman in 1826

Demand for fodder in intensive livestock farming necessitates the fodder seed production in all the livestock and fodder farms for their own use and sale to needy. In the recent past, fodder seed production is also becoming commercial activity of farmers as the income is promising. Since, there are number of new varieties of fodder are coming to the market, demand for their seed is also encouraging to produce the same commercially. Considering this, the farm managers should aware of fodder seed production technologies for cost effective and quality fodder seed production.

Cost of production of fodder is critical in deciding the profitability of fodder production and livestock production. In intensive animal farming, fodder plays a vital, because of the reason that, most of the feeding regimen of dairy cattle, buffalo and small ruminant production system is fodder based. Fodder make out the bulk o feed expenditure apart from compounded feed. Understanding the economics of fodder production is vital in production of fodder in livestock farms.

Register in general is recording of an event, transaction of stock and stores, money etc., and collectively it is aggregation of data. The farm will have lot of static and dynamic information and collection and recording all these information and storing the same is called register maintenance. Register maintenance is not a one time job, it is continuous process. Some of the registers will record the basic physical information and some other will record the financial transactions like expenditure, income etc. Maintenance of register with economics is more critical, because they decide profitability and economic efficiency of the farm. Registers are always associated with various activities carried out in a farm.

Integrated Farming System is a traditional concept in agriculture in which we are trying integrate various agriculture farming and its allied enterprises suitably for efficient use of single and multiple production function. In simple sense, it is a way integrating crop farming with livestock and poultry farming, fish farming, bee keeping and other agriculture technologies to enhance the value chain of farming system.

The core idea ofintegration is harvesting the complementary and supplementary relationship functions of various enterprises effectively and the art of using the waste of one enterprise to be the input of other enterprise. It is a efficient farming tool for small and marginal farmers to optimize the output per unit of land and investment. Moreover, it is more of organic, eco and soil friendly in nature.

Food and Agriculture Organization defines organic agriculture is a unique production system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity, and this is accomplished by using on-farm agronomic, biological and mechanical methods in exclusion of all synthetic off-farm inputs.

The beauty of organic agriculture production is dependency three elements namely soil, plants and animals. It is also called animal agriculture in which, animal depends on plants, plants depends on soil and soil depends on animals for their fertile life.

In economics, labour is defined as manual or mental work for acquiring income for their livelihoods. In farming domain, the agriculture labor is defined as labourers who earn their main source of income by working in farms of others for a wage. In this type, labours may classified in three namely skilled, semi skilled and unskilled labours based on their skill sets.

Skilled labour is a type of labour, who is having specific skills like carpentry, black smiths, drivers, masonry etc will be utilized to perform a specific function, and correspondingly their wages will be on the higher side than other two types. 

As per Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), agro forestry represents land-use systems and technologies where trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc. are deliberately used on the same land-management units as agricultural crops and or animals, in some form effective utilization of land and to increase the returns per unit of land. The three main components of agro forestry are land, crops & trees and animals and that can be combined in numerous spatial and temporal function thus creating different kinds of production function.