eChapters

As he looks to the future, Dr. Chauhan envisions several key goals to further the field of veterinary medicine: Expanding the scope of Veterinary Science :
Future goals of Dr. Chauhan
1. Advancing Research in Veterinary Pathology: Building upon his extensive research background, which includes authoring 120 books, contributing 101 chapters, and publishing 239 research papers, Dr. Chauhan aims to delve deeper into emerging diseases affecting livestock and companion animals. He plans to focus on molecular pathology to better understand disease mechanisms at the genetic level, facilitating the development of targeted treatments and preventive measures.
2. Promoting ‘Cowpathy’ and Indigenous Practices: Known as the “Cowpathy Man,” Dr. Chauhan has been a proponent of integrating traditional knowledge with modern veterinary practices. He intends to conduct rigorous scientific studies to validate and promote the use of indigenous products in animal healthcare, aiming to offer sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional treatments.
3. Enhancing Veterinary Education: With a passion for veterinary education, Dr. Chauhan plans to develop comprehensive curricula that incorporate the latest advancements in veterinary science. He seeks to mentor the next generation of veterinarians, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices, continuous learning, and adaptability in the face of evolving challenges in animal health.

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. 

AI-driven animal husbandry is advancing through machine learning, computer vision, IoT, big-data analytics, wearable devices and automated equipment. This chapter considers future applications for monitoring animal health, behaviour, nutrition, reproduction and environmental conditions. Predictive systems can support early disease detection, precision feeding, improved breeding and reduced production costs. However, high implementation costs, data privacy, inadequate infrastructure and limited digital knowledge remain significant obstacles, particularly in developing regions. Future research should prioritize affordable, user-friendly and explainable technologies suited to smallholders. Ethical AI, climate adaptation, multimodal data integration, omics analysis and interdisciplinary collaboration among animal scientists, engineers, policymakers and farmers are identified as essential research directions.

Introduction

Chromatography was first employed by Ramsey (1905) to separate mixture of gases and vapours. These first experiments used selective adsorption on, or desorption from, solid absorbents such as active charcoals. The  following year Tswett (1906) obtained discrete coloured bands of plant pigments on a chromatographic column. He coined the term “chromatography” (literally “colour writing”) which is obviously a misnomer when used retrospectively. Contribution of Martin and Synge (1941) in a study for which they were awarded the Nobel prize, and later James and Martin introduced gas-liquid chromatography in 1951 and 1952.

Introduction

Geese are found all over the world. There is great demand for day old green gooseling. Currently it produces in various country, but about 80% of the world production from the France. Geese are well adapted to hot climates, shady areas and to high rainfall regions. They are especially well suited in warm, shallow and water ways. It is difficult to estimate the percent contribution of geese in poultry numbers, but it would be a fraction of 1%. This intended that, little effort has been made to improve the strains of geese in relation to their genetic capabilities. In future, breeders and producers are likely to take a more technical approach to goose production and need to give greater attention to breeding, feeding and general management.

Peculiarity of geese

Geese are mainly ornamental birds and good forager. They are capable for taking care of itself by foraging after reaching adult stage. Swimming water is not so essential. They can digest 40-45% fibre which is higher than other poultry. Geese kept as a watch dog in farms either by biting or making noise. Geese don’t need elaborate housing but is necessary to safeguard against predatory animal. Geese are hardy in nature and resistant to most of diseases. Meat is very palatable with great calorific value. Gander reared as weeders; for this 6 weeks old gooseling used. Gander eats grass and weeds as quickly as they appear but don’t eat crop. After weeding season, they are fed with fattening diet for 3-4 weeks and marketed. Age of sexual maturity is 24 month and produces 50-60 eggs/years. Hybrid varieties produce even 90 eggs and 60 gooseling per year. They are broody in nature. Egg weight is 200-250gm. Grow very fast greater than other species of poultry. Reach 3.2 kg at 6 weeks with feed efficiency of 2.5. At 9^th week have 4.5 kg body weight with feed efficiency of 3. Adult male of goose is called Gander. Sound produced by goose is called Honking. Young one of goose is called Gooseling.

Introduction

The Poultry industry stands as one of the most advanced sectors globally. The impact of diseases on poultry can be profoundly detrimental, affecting productivity, trade of live birds, meat and related products. Vulnerabilities in biosecurity within production sites, as well as weaknesses in disease diagnosis, pave the way for emerging pathogens to establish as persistent threats. In numerous tropical and developing nations poultry infections like viscerotropic velogenic New castle disease have become endemic, leading to disastrous losses. Many developing countries contend with a prevalence of vertically transmitted diseases among village-level flocks, including ailments like pullorum disease and mycoplasmosis. The combination of hot, humid climates fosters mycotoxicosis, compounded by prevalent immunosuppressive diseases, which in turn hinder the effectiveness of vaccination efforts. In the absence of robust quarantine measures and government – mandated control programs, disease can persist within both commercial and local flocks. The introduction of new infections further compounds the vulnerability of susceptible poultry populations.

Introduction

A thoroughly performed physical examination in poultry and avian clinical practice is of great importance. Most avian species happen to be prey animals, with the exception of a few raptors that tend to be predatory. This makes them try to appear healthy, in preparation to escape from potential predators, and as such, makes it difficult for their owners, keepers and veterinarians to detect early diseases. Physical examination when carefully performed in detail, increases the chances of obtaining fewer differential diagnosis that are likely to be harboring the confirmatory diagnosis after laboratory works are being performed. In essence, a thorough physical examination brings about cost efficiency in poultry/ avian clinical practice. Take for instance, a farm with over 50,000 layers, having lowered productivity. It will be cumbersome to go ahead and start blood sampling, faecal sampling or oral cavity swabs for laboratory analysis as the starting point. The disadvantages will be high labour demands, high capital demands, more stress on the animals and of course, long time till feasible outcome is to be obtained.

Livestock plays a pivotal role in sustaining the livelihood of millions of people worldwide, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities. Beyond providing food products such as milk, meat and eggs, livestock also contribute to income generation, draught power, manure for agriculture and socio-cultural functions in many regions. The health and productive performance of livestock animals are central to achieving the economic, nutritional and ecological goals of animal husbandry. Any compromise in animal health or productivity directly impacts farmers’ income, food security, and national agricultural output. Animal health is the foundation of productive and sustainable livestock farming. Good health ensures animals can grow, reproduce and perform at their genetic potential. Conversely, disease, poor nutrition and environmental stress can severely reduce productivity and increase mortality. Common health challenges in livestock include infectious diseases (bacterial, viral, and parasitic), metabolic disorders and management- related stress conditions. Moreover, zoonotic diseases—those transmissible to humans— are of growing concern in the context of public health and food

Introduction Identification of animals is must as a requirement in the daily management to spot and identify a particular animal in a herd/group/flock. Objectives of Identification • Identification is done to carry out routine work efficiently. • For registration and recording of the parentage in breeding programme / birth • Identification required at time of transportation and Insurance and loan from Bank. • For individual feeding of animals. • During milking • During sale, for participation of animals in the rally, show and exhibition. • For treating the animal, heat detection etc. • It is necessary for in case of theft and loss of animal for complain and search of animal. Selection of Identification Method • Depends very much on Need and personal

Introduction India’s animal husbandry sector plays a vital role in the country’s economy and food security. It provides livelihood to millions of people, contributes significantly to the agricultural gross domestic product (GDP), and meets the nutritional needs of the population. The sector encompasses various aspects of livestock production, including dairy farming, poultry farming, sheep rearing, goat rearing, and piggery. Milk Production India is the world’s largest milk producer, with an annual production of 230.58 million tonnes in 2022-23. This represents an impressive growth rate of 3.83% over the previous year. The top five milk-producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. Egg Production India is also the third-largest egg producer in the world, with an annual production of 138.38 billion eggs in 2022-23. Egg production has grown by 6.77% in the last year. The top five egg-producing states are Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal, and Karnataka. Meat Production India’s meat production in 2022-23 was 9.77 million tonnes, with an annual growth rate of 5.13%. The top five meat-producing states are Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal,

Providing balanced nutrition to different groups of dairy cows with varying production levels is a significant challenge for commercial dairy farmers. The production performance of dairy cows is directly influenced by the type of feed provided. Ensuring balanced nutrition is crucial to optimize productivity in milk production and reproduction while minimizing feed costs. Dairy cow rations should consist of high-quality forages, a balanced mix of grains and protein sources, essential minerals, vitamins, and other feed supplements. Proper feeding practices are essential to prevent under or overfeeding and ensure that cows receive the right amount and combination of feed ingredients.
Formulating well-balanced rations that meet the nutrient requirements of cows results in optimal feed digestion and utilization. Transitioning from traditional feeding systems to a total mixed ration (TMR) feeding system is recommended for efficient and profitable feeding of dairy cows. TMR feeding systems have been widely adopted in developed countries due to their effectiveness. Each mouthful of TMR provides a complete and balanced ration for the cows, reducing feed selection by the animals and promoting synchronization of carbohydrate and protein availability in the rumen, leading to lower rumen acidity.
TMR feeding systems offer benefits such as labor savings, the ability to feed various types of feeds, and ensuring a nutritionally balanced ration at all times. While TMR may pose challenges in meeting individual nutrient requirements for each cow, larger dairy farms with multiple groups of cows can effectively manage this issue. By providing a nutritionally balanced ration consistently, TMR feeding systems help cows consume energy close to their requirements while maintaining the physical characteristics of roughage necessary for proper rumen function, ultimately leading to optimal production and economic efficiency.

Body Parts of Farm Animals

It is important to know about the various terms used to indicate different body parts of the animals so that whenever a description of the animal/body part is presented, one could specifically understand it. Some of the terms used to point out different body points of common livestock species have been shown in Figure 2.1.1-2.1.5. Terms which are more frequently used for different livestock species have been depicted in Table 2.1.1.

The study of general reproduction and reproductive performance in animals is a vast and intricate field that spans across various species, habitats, and biological systems. Reproduction is a fundamental biological process that ensures the continuity of life across generations. It involves a series of complex physiological and behavioural events, from mating and fertilization to gestation and birth. The general reproduction and reproductive performance in domesticated animals is a fascinating and complex field that has significant implications for various aspects of human society, including agriculture, pet ownership, and conservation efforts. Domesticated animals encompass a wide range of species, from farm animals such as cows and chickens to pets like dogs and cats, and even animals kept for conservation or recreational purposes, such as horses and certain bird species. Each of these species has unique reproductive systems and cycles, and understanding these is crucial for effective management and care. For instance, the gestation period for dogs is typically around two months, while for horses, it’s closer to a year. Similarly, some birds, like parrots, may lay eggs only once or twice a year

We may study the nutrient metabolism in a better way as explained in the following summarized form in Table 1.

Introduction

Diversity connotes multiplicity of variety. In a given ecosystem, diversity refers to presence of number of different species of ?ora and fauna that have ecological niches in agreement with the environment. Scaling up, there exists diversity between different ecosystems. All life forms of ?ora and fauna on earth contains genetic material, that is the repository of an immense amount of genetic information in the form of traits, characteristics, etc. Focusing on the species level, genetic diversity refers to genetic variation that is observed in a population. Thus, genetic diversity is the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. This provides in built latitude to the nature and/or the livestock breeders (including farmers) to manoeuvre/ manipulate so as evolve an improved population of desired qualities and traits. Further, genetic diversity is essential because the presence of adequate and appropriate genes in a population will make the species tide over adversaries owing to climate change and other emerging threats like new disease outbreaks. The ‘desired’ divergent gene pool provides the inherent resilient mechanism that equip the species to cope with likely challenging situation.

Over the years, with human interventions, the genetic diversity has been interfered with to meet specific needs; mostly with respect to garnering higher production and productivity. In the process, the diversity has been compromised for achieving the unitary goal. In certain cases, geographical barriers and other bio-physical constraints have also led to loss of diversity within a population. Studies on impact of climate change especially the effect of rise in environmental temperature on milk production of dairy animals indicate that global warming will negatively impact milk production. During 2020, the annual loss in milk production of cattle and buffaloes due to thermal stress will be around 3.2 million tonnes of milk costing more than Rs 5000 Crore at current price. Similarly, there would be prevalence of many emerging diseases including those with zoonotic implications owing to change in climatic conditions. Thus, the present day society is confronted with an imminent development dilemma of ecology vs. economics more specifically genetic diversity vs. higher production. It has led to volume of debates and discussions on the livestock development agenda to be pursued. The apparently con?icting interests has also generated antipathy amongst two schools of development.

Dairy buffalo production has been a tradition in Asian region and some other parts of the world where fresh  buffalo milk, dahi (cultured sour milk), ghee (butter oil) and yoghurt are very popular. In Italy, the dairy buffalo industry is flourishing; thanks to the popularity of buffalo mozzarella cheese. Because of the market for Mozzarella, buffalo farming is a profitable enterprise and is carried out in an organized manner with modern equipment.

Introduction

Agricultural biodiversity must be an integrated part of climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. Climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation should complement each other (FAO, 2007, 2008). Climate affects vectors, pathogens, hosts and host-pathogen interactions from the level of cellular defence to that of the habitat. Hoberg et al. (2008) provide an overview of predicted responses of complex host-pathogen systems to climate change. Climate change may affect the spatial distribution of disease outbreaks, and their timing and intensity (Epstein 2001). Outbreaks of African horse sickness, peste des petits ruminants, Rift Valley fever, bluetongue virus, facial eczema and anthrax are triggered by specific weather conditions and changes in seasonal rainfall profiles.

Livestock is an important source of income for the rural poor and marginal farmers which enables earn income and food security using common resources.It is a best option to utilize such waste resources in proper way to earn income. About 65-69% of Indian population consisting of small and marginal farmers and land less laborers reared animal as supplementary occupation by feeding their animals agriculture by products. Indian agriculture is very difficult to sustain without dairy animals. Per capita availability of milk comes out to 281gm per day, which is below than the average of 300gm recommended by Nutrition Council of ICMR. Thus, there is a further need to increase the milk production of the country in view of minimizing difference between per capita availability and requirement. Milk production in India has increased from a modest 22 million tons during 1970-1971 to about 122 million tons in 2011—2012 (Deptt. of Animal Husbandry and Dairying).

Genetic characterization using DNA markers is a cutting edge technology that makes it possible to study animal variability at basic level. A genetic marker can be any stable and inherited variation which is measurable or detectable by a suitable method and can be used subsequently to detect the presence of a specific genotype or phenotype other than itself, which otherwise is non-measurable of very difficult to detect. Such variations exist at morphology, chromosome, biochemistry or DNA levels that can serve as genetic markers. Molecular markers are the markers that reveal variations at the DNA sequence level. The polymorphisms observed at the DNA sequence has many applications which include percentage determination, genetic distance estimation and evolution, determination of individual identity, identification of disease carrier (heterozygous) animals, determination of twin zygosity and freemartinism, gene mapping, marker assisted selection (MAS), sex determination, DNA fingerprinting and transgenic breeding. Gene mapping is a tool to identify the genes responsible for specific traits.  The genetic map is constructed from linkage relationship based on the frequency of meiotic exchange (amount of recombination) among linked traits. Genetic map helps

Poultry has been extensively used for various biological experiments and its contributions to science are impressive. Among poultry species, chickens have made fundamental contributions to our current understanding of many immunological processes and it ranks high in the biological world. It still serves as an animal model to investigate immunogenetic aspects of disease resistance and tumor regression. Among the major contribution from poultry, the first evidence for viral induced tumor came from chicken (Rous, 1911; Nobel prize, 1966), reverse transcriptase enzyme was isolated from Avian Leukosis virus (Tamin and Baltimore, 1963; Nobel Prize, 1975), oncogenes in virus are from host cells (Bishop & Harold Varmus; Nobel Prize, 1989) and major two arms of immune response i.e. the T and B cells were first discovered in chicken.