Science topic

Animal Husbandry - Science topic

The science of breeding, feeding and care of domestic animals; includes housing and nutrition.
Questions related to Animal Husbandry
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
10 answers
Respected all.
I came across the field of animal husbandry and mechanisation I.e use of technology for comfort of animals… plz suggest what can be done and what are the problems we face in animal husbandry practices and probable solutions. I found this is a topic worthy discussing. Keep posting on the previous work done on this aspect as well.
thanks and regards
Relevant answer
Answer
Not necessarily. Automatic milking machines provides cows with some autonomy and have reduced mastitis.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
11 answers
This is one of our works based on analysing the viability of ammonia recovery and removal from manures extracted from dairy farm. These kinds of approaches could be sustainable solutions for mitigating air pollution as well as could be utilised into sustainable energy productions.
What are some of the alternative measures could be used to recover ammonia from the animal manures those are practiced around world in domestic and industrial phases?
Relevant answer
Answer
Aspen Plus software or even if it's possible to process it on Excel it will also be easier to do the simulation.
Behind a model, there is always a mathematical equation that allows you to calculate what you need.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
5 answers
comprehensive definition of animal husbandry science and is this science limited to housing and ventilation systems?
Relevant answer
Answer
Can you broaden it by e.g. climatization, (heating, cooling, ventilation, climate control...) and broaden housing by including also water and feeding systems, manure disposal. Animal identifications and animal management?
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
15 answers
Could you share your experiences publishing in open access magazines in the agricultural sector, which are your favorite magazines, and why?
Relevant answer
Answer
Good question Dr. Juan Carlos Torrico, I follow.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
9 answers
For context, our lab is working with a ROSA-tomato reporter line (strain B6.Cg-Gt(ROSA)26Sor<tm14(CAG-tdTomato)Hze>/ J) that we have crossed to several Cre mice for the purpose of identifying specific neuronal populations. While crossing these reporter mice into Cre lines appears to present no apparent problems for them, when we have attempted to cross them into additional lines (i.e. knockout or flox lines) in order to identify specific cells with the reporter (that say have receptor X knocked out as well) we've started to notice that over time the mice begin to develop bright pink pigmentation in their skin (i.e. bright pink paws, tails, feet, ears, etc). When we go to collect brains from these animals for physiological or histological experiments, we also notice that their brains are also bright pink! This has become problematic, as trying to identify specific cells in slices from these animals brains has been hampered by the presence of the reporter (to a lesser extent) in all the surrounding cells in the neural tissue.
I was wondering if anyone has ever experienced a similar problem if they have worked with this reporter strain in the past, and if they have any suggestions or details on how they tackled this issue when breeding up mice within this reporter line.
Relevant answer
Answer
For this reason we always use Cre positive males and never Cre positive females for breeding.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
9 answers
Is milk thistle, a herb plant, used as an animal feed?
(Slybum marianum).
Relevant answer
Answer
Please take a look at this useful RG link.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
7 answers
For the last 5 months or so, I have been unsuccessful in attempts to breed zebrafish.
Water pH and temperature are kept constant and at appropriate levels. The light/dark cycle is appropriate. Males and females (sexually mature but = or < 2 years old) are sexually isolated in groups of 6 for either 3 days or 1 week. They are fed a diet of dry food in the early A.M. and P.M, as well as brine shrimp early P.M. Breeding tanks contain either rocks or marbles and mock aquatic plants. Fish selected for breeding are transferred to breeding tanks around 6 P.M. at a 2:1 F:M ratio. The water in housing and breeding tanks is continually filtered and cycled.
Is there anything I am missing?
Relevant answer
Answer
Hi, from my experience, breeding fishes with similar sizes has the highest rate of success. I believe this allows easier interaction between the fishes and thus better breeding outcome. You have mentioned that your attempts to breed zebrafishes have been unsuccessful. I would suggest you to also swap breeding partners. Zebrafishes have different preferences for their breeding partners, so try putting different partners. It has worked for me.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
7 answers
Research in animal husbandry, Food production and security.
Relevant answer
Answer
When you confine yourself to Animal Husbandry, than all research is automatically applied. The difference can be in the timeframe between the research phase and the moment the results have a direct impact on the practice within the field of Animal Husbandry.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
3 answers
I have found that my zebrafish are sick and I suspect they are infected by some kind of pathogenic bacteria. I found Ulcers on their tails, and near their fins, so could it be caused by mycobacteria? Besides that, congestive cardiomyopathy was found in some of them. I am very curious to know how this outbreak happened, although all the fish are reared in system and the water is under a UV light.
Relevant answer
Answer
Taking advantage of the colleague's question, in my fish system (Zebrafish) is growing a filamentous structure that I doubt whether it is mucus or fungus. can anybody help me?
I have decontaminated the system but the structure continues to appear.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
4 answers
I'm currently researching on methods on how to breed Nila tilapia in order to increase the yield of collagen found on its skin since the presence of collagen on tilapia skin aid in burn treatment.
Relevant answer
Answer
Thank you for your answers! These will be helpful for my research. 
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
2 answers
We are following all the recommended guidelines for breeding like the 14-10 light night cycles and separating the males and females overnight before mating. For once we tried separating them for longer periods (7 days) prior to breeding. We use temperature regulators and we monitor the water quality regularly. For feeding, we feed them twice a day with brine shrimps. We selected chubby healthy females with slim males. all were in good health. Inspite of all those precautions, the fish are able to mate only when we have in tank breeders but not otherwise.
I would appreciate sharing some advice in that regard. Thanks
Relevant answer
Answer
www.wikihow.com › Home › Categories › Pets and Animals › Fish › Breeding Fish,Monyer Al,The correct answer is
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
7 answers
i wan to know if the farming system have any effect on the worm load in sheep and goats. i want to know if the farming system have any direct link with albendazole resistance in small ruminants
Relevant answer
Answer
Effects of farm management systems on worm load in sheep and goats:
Good Management
Internal parasite control starts with good management and common sense. Sheep should not be fed on the ground (unless the ground is frozen). Feeders which cannot easily be contaminated with feces should be favored for grain, hay, and minerals. Water should be clean and free from fecal matter. Pastures and pens should not be overstocked. When new sheep are acquired, they should be isolated from the rest of the flock for at least 30 days and aggressively dewormed to prevent the introduction of drug-resistant worms.
Use of Clean or Safe Pastures
Clean or safe pastures are pastures which are not contaminated with the worm larvae that affect sheep. Examples of clean pastures include pastures that have not been grazed by sheep or goats for the past 6 to 12 months; pastures which have been grazed by horses or cattle; pasture fields in which a hay or silage crop has been removed; pasture fields which have been rotated with field crops; and pastures than have been recently established or renovated by tillage. While burning a pasture will remove worm larvae, there are no pasture treatments that will effectively eliminate or reduce worm larvae.
Pasture Rest and Rotation
It is a common misconception that rotational grazing helps to control internal parasites in sheep. Intensive rotational grazing may actually contribute to parasitic problems. This is because rotating large groups of ewes and lambs through small paddocks concentrates livestock and infective parasite larvae onto the same small area.
Researchers in the Netherlands found that it takes three months of rest for an infected pasture to return to a low level of infectivity. Researchers at Langston University (Oklahoma) determined that a 65-day rest period was sufficient (for goats). Rotational grazing is an effective management tool for managing parasites, but only if pasture rest periods are long enough (i.e. 60 days or more). On the other hand, better nutrition provided by rotational grazing may offset the effects of higher parasite loads on the pasture.
Grazing Strategies
Approximately 80 percent of the worm larvae can be found in the first two inches of grass. Therefore, sheep grazing taller forages will have fewer parasite problems. Sheep should not be allowed to graze forages shorter than 2 inches in height. Sheep that browse also have fewer parasite problems. Another grazing strategy is to wait until the dew has lifted from the grass or grass has dried after a rain. Dry conditions force parasites to stay at the base of the plants where they are less likely to be consumed by the livestock.
Multi-species Grazing
Sheep (and goats) are generally not affected by the same internal parasites as cattle and horses. Consequently, pastures grazed by cattle and horses are safe(r) for sheep (and goats) and conversely. Sheep can be co-grazed with cattle and/or horses. A leader-follower system can be utilized or pastures can be alternated between sheep and cattle and/or horses. 
There are numerous other benefits to multi-species grazing. Each species has different grazing behavior that complements one another. For example, sheep prefer to eat weeds and short, tender grasses and clover, while cattle prefer to eat taller grasses. Cattle may offer some protection from predators.
Alternative Forages
Some pasture plants have anthelmintic properties, such as those containing condensed tannins. Research has shown that sheep grazing tannin-rich forages have lower fecal egg counts than animals grazing traditional grass pastures. The tannins may also decrease the hatch rate of worm eggs and larval development in feces. 
Forage species which contain high levels of condensed tannins include sericea lespedeza, birdsfoot trefoil, and chicory. Sericea lespedeza is a warm, season legume. Birdsfoot trefoil is a long-lived perennial legume. Chicory is a low-growing, leafy perennial. Generally speaking, trees and shrubs contain higher levels of tannins than pasture grasses, and tropical legumes contain more condensed tannins than temperate legumes.
Healthy Soil
Earthworms have been shown to ingest worm eggs and larvae, either killing them or carrying them below the soil surface. Certain types of fungi will trap and kill parasitic larvae. Dung beetles ingest and disperse manure, thus keeping eggs and larvae from developing. Anything that is done to maintain soil health and promote these types of organisms will aid in parasite control. Scientists are examining the possibility of feeding nematophagous fungi to livestock to kill larvae in manure piles.
Nutritional Management
Supplemental feeding should not be overlooked as a means to control parasites. Sheep and lambs on a higher plane of nutrition mount a better immune response to internal parasites than animals whose nutritional status is compromised. Animals on low protein diets are more susceptible to infection because they produce less IgA (immunoglobulin). Higher levels of protein have been shown to improve the pregnant ewe's immune response to parasites after lambing. Lambs receiving protein supplementation usually have reduced fecal egg counts.
Zero Grazing
Keeping sheep and/or lambs in confinement or dry lot (i.e. "zero grazing") is a means of reducing parasitism and preventing reinfection. Under a zero grazing situation, sheep and/or lambs do not have access to vegetation for grazing. They are housed in a bedded barn, dirt lot, or facility with slatted floors. Feed should be fed off the ground in feeders. Watering containers should be kept free from fecal matter. Slatted floors offer the best protection against internal parasites because sheep generally do not come into contact with their feces.
Genetics
Genetics is probably the best long term strategy for controlling internal parasites in sheep. Some sheep breeds are naturally more resistant and resilient to internal parasites. They include the Florida (or Gulf Coast) Native and hair sheep breeds with tropical origins: St. Croix, Barbados Blackbelly (and its derivatives), and Katahdin. Grazing resistant breeds of sheep with susceptible breeds, may act to “sweep” pastures and reduce contamination to susceptible animals.
Regardless of the breed raised, producers can breed sheep which are more resistant to parasites by culling ewes that are persistently affected by parasites and favoring parasite resistant ewes and rams in their selection programs. Both fecal egg counts and FAMACHA© scores can be used to identify sheep with resistant and susceptible genetics. 
In New Zealand, it is possible to select rams that shed 60 to 70 percent fewer parasite eggs than historical averages. In the US, the National Sheep Improvement program (via Australia's LambPlan) provides EBVs for parasite resistance (fecal egg counts) in Katahdin sheep. EBVs can be calculated for other breeds once fecal egg count data is submitted to NSIP.
Scientists are currently looking for genetic markers for worm resistance so that a DNA test could be used to show producers which of their animals are resistant to internal parasites.
Proper Anthelmintic Use
Anthelmintics are still an important part of parasite control. However, they must be used properly to ensure effectiveness of treatment and slow down the rate by which worms develop drug resistance. To start with, the weights of sheep and lambs must be known or approximated accurately in order to calculate the proper dosage of medicine. Underdosing results in the survival of worms which are resistant to the anthelmintic used. Underdosing is one of the major causes of increasing anthelmintic resistance.
Flocks should be divided into groups for deworming or drenching equipment should be calibrated for the heaviest animals in the group. Oral drenching is the recommended method of treatment for sheep. Oral medications should be delivered over the tongue. If the medicine is deposited into the mouth to stimulate the closure of the esophageal groove and bypass the rumen.
If an anthelmintic is more slowly absorbed in the gut, drug levels are prolonged and the treatment may be more effective. Thus, fasting sheep for up to 24 hours may improve efficacy of dewormers, especially when using benzimidazoles and ivermectin. However, water should not be restricted.
To prevent the introduction of drug-resistant worms, you should deworm newly purchased animals with drugs from at least two of the three anthelmintic families. Moxidectin should be favored over ivermectin due to its superior potency. Levamisole should probably be the other choice, since widespread resistance is believed to exist in the benzimidazole group of dewormers. After deworming, the animal(s) should be released onto a wormy pasture to help dilute any "super-resistant" worms that may remain in his system.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
6 answers
There has been some belief that supplementation of game animals with specialized feeds can yield significant increases in body weight and ultimately red meat production and game meat can contribute significantly to the reductions of red meat imports in SA.
Relevant answer
Answer
We cannot disqualify game meat in terms of quality and/or taste, but the challenge will remain the quantity and the health aspect.  Cost and duration of production is another challenge which in a way talks to affordability especially by the poor who really need good sources of protein. The economics of it also need to be considered in terms of tons and cost of production per hectare over a specific period compared to domesticated livestock. 
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
4 answers
which are the different indicators used to measure such impact.
Relevant answer
Answer
Can someone help me in designing a maket-oriented fodder production system for enhancing the profitability and productivity of extensive  livestock production system in Somalia where fodder scarcity and its seasonal variation has a devastating impact on the entire production system?
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
11 answers
We are contemplating to go for dipping of sheep flock during this month, what is the best dipping material in terms of efficacy and avoiding resistance.Previously we have been using Butox (Deltramethrin)  for quite some time.
Relevant answer
Answer
In view of the large number of animals, instead of dipping the animals one by one which is laborious and causes stress to the animals. It also require skilled personnel, i will suggest running them through a dipping vat where you mix amitrax in the recommended dilution rate. However, if you just want to control ectoparasite, you can use cypermethrin instead of the amitrax. More importantly, regularly management procedure for control of parasite should be maintained. You should practise integrated pest management on your farm.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
7 answers
i want to search some gene associated with plumage colour and shank colour of native chicken. its happy to receive answers. 
Relevant answer
Answer
The question is too wide. Hunting behavior in dogs is a complex of different traits.
Each trait is controled by different sets of genes.There are also different patterns of hunting behavior in different breeds of dogs (different hounds, pointers, shepherds etc.). To answer your question it is necessary to know in what trait exactly you are interested in. In other case the answer will be - almost all genes somehow could influence hunting behavior.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
11 answers
young british heifers; conditioning protocol; paddock 1 for control group and paddock 2 for tested group (under the same pasture)
Relevant answer
Answer
Could this be done with replicates over time? Depending on the duration of each trial, one could  alter treatments so that each treatment is represented 6 times over a year or 3 times over a year.
You must ALSO UNDERSTAND that having all of the animals together in a single pasture for one group and all of the animals in a single pasture for the other group only gives you 1 OBSERVATION PER PASTURE (the average of all of the animals in the pasture). This is because all of of the animals in a pasture affect all of the other animals in that pasture. It is a classical statistical error to treat them as multiple observations. That's why we have to treat PENS as the observation in group-fed animals in pens.
Thus, the power of your experiment can be strengthened by doing multiple replicates over time. Good luck.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
5 answers
I am working on evaluation of cardioprotective activity of a plant extract in my treatment schedule fixed for 28 day pre-treatment with extract and last 2 days we'll induce myocardial infarction. this is routine work by all researchers but what is the necessity of pre-treatment of plant extract?
Relevant answer
Answer
Thank you very much, Gopichand Chinta, Zhaoyang Hu and Mohammad mehdi Ommati for your valuble answers really i mean it, defenatly it would help for my research...
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
5 answers
I am new to ichthyology and I need to extract the lower pharyngeal jaw from cichlid fish specimens fixed in formalin and preserved in 70% ethanol and I want to do it without destroying the specimens because of their rarity. I am looking for a publication or a tutorial explaining how to do. Can you help me?
Relevant answer
Answer
Hello,
I agree with Carmelo, with CT scan you will have information on their morphology and also on the jaw position.
Moreover these virtual data can be easily stocked,  used and shared and they will follow you even if you change your institution.... and be sure that they can be of great interest for ichtyologisst outside your fiel: indeed as a paleontologist I always need more and more information on bone and tooth morphology but this is often hard to find or to access.
Cheers,
Olga.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
5 answers
I am looking to utilize Ethovision software to track multiple animals in an arena using color-marking. Does anyone have suggestions for fur-coloring techniques that I may be able to use on prairie voles, and that would last up to 2-4 weeks? I have worked with veterinarians at my institution to pilot using color spray intended for sheep wool (we do not spray directly on animal, but brush it on from a pooling of the paint in a weight boat), but this seems to be wearing off after a few days. Ideally, I would use a dye or paint that would last for weeks and be resistant to removal by cage mates. Thanks for your time!
Relevant answer
Answer
We used in primates (Alouatta) dyes for human hair, Bigen brand, does not require hydrogen peroxide and not contain ammonia.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
13 answers
How to explain that ,NDF/ADF digestibility in dairy cattle was improved while cellulolytic bacteria numbers was decreased? Anyone can explain or have some suggestion/ reference?
Relevant answer
Answer
As an engulfing manner of protozoa against bacteria in addition of bacteria counting you must pay attention to protozoa. although protozoa have lower number compared to bacteria, as weight they are mostly same as bacteria.
So it's possible observed decrease in cellulolytic bacteria population was due to increase in size and number of protozoa.
also check microbial protein  markers. please find and review Dr. Dehority's book on rumen microbiology. it would be very useful reference.
however as others said above don't forget ruminal pH functions. ch13 of attached book may be useful.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
11 answers
After almost a month of Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS), both of my control rats (no stress) and stress-model rats exhibit low serum corticosterone concentration. Surprisingly, the level of ACTH in stress-model rats were significantly higher compared to control rats. Is it a common observation? Because most CUMS literature i found report high corticosterone level in their stressed rats.
Relevant answer
Answer
Elevated ACTH but low CORT is sometimes seen in rodent models of post-traumatic stress disorder (only in males though, are you using males? There are significant sex differences in the HPA axis response to stress). Diminished CORT release in response to stress could be due to a sensitization (or increase in number) of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in the pituitary, and if all GR are saturated with ligand, no more suppression of ACTH can occur so that's where you can get high ACTH and low CORT. Due to this, the adrenal glands can become insensitive to ACTH--you can quantify ACTH receptors or just give them an ACTH injection and measure their CORT response to see.
I use the single prolonged stress paradigm (a PTSD model), which is a single exposure to 2.5 hours of intense stress. These stressed rats show a 50% increase in glucorcorticoid receptor expression in the PVN of the hypothalamus and exaggerated negative feedback of the HPA axis which drives their CORT levels down. As you pointed out though, CUMS doesn't usually result in this phenotype. It sounds like maybe something was different between your experiments, but it's hard to tell what (light cycle, handling, housing?)
If you want to explore further what's going on in your rats I suggest looking at the dexamathasone suppression test to measure HPA negative feedback (see attached paper). It would also be helpful to quantify glucocorticoid receptor expression in the hypothalamus and pituitary. Baseline CORT levels can vary a lot between individuals, so I take a baseline blood sample and expose them to a mild stress (30 minutes  in a restraint tube), take another blood sample at 30 minutes, and then look at the CORT released. Good luck!
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
5 answers
I need sheep energy requirenment data for references, is there anyone has such a data?
Relevant answer
Answer
Yes I could help you in this case
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
1 answer
The role of recombinant vaccines in industrial poultry.
Relevant answer
Answer
I do  not think so
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
8 answers
Could animal husbandry science have a role with this case?
Relevant answer
Answer
Amazing but true!
According to Low Urine pH: A Novel Feature of Metabolic Syndrome, A difference of less than 1pH in your urine may determine whether or not you will suffer from the symptoms of metabolic syndrome! "Participants with the metabolic syndrome had a significantly lower 24-h urine pH compared with participants without the metabolic syndrome. Mean 24-h urine pH, adjusted for age, gender, creatinine clearance, and 24-h urine sulfate, decreased from 6.15, 6.10, 5.99, 5.85, to 5.69 with increasing number of metabolic syndrome abnormalities". - (2007 Maalouf, et al pg 1, paragraph 3) If you think you may be affected by metabolic syndrome, talk to your doctor.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
7 answers
The abandoned or so called stray cattle are a problem in my state. We can't slaughter cattle in India. Apart from traffic hazard and potential for spread of infectious and zoonotic diseases these animals pose many other problems. We have some 32,000 such cattle in the state. There are a few shelters for these animals which are not sufficient to accommodate them. The sheltering of this large population involves a lot of capital plus recurrent expenditure on feeding and management. We are looking for some viable alternative for their rehabilitation.
Relevant answer
Answer
in my humble opinion to use a rational science based method to solve a problem caused by a religious faith is leading to unsatisfactory  results.
Having said that you may try first to identify (with absolute certainty: microchip, e-bolus) each of these 32000 cattle then pair each marked cattle with a family (or families or wealthy individuals) who is against cattle slaughter and ask them to take care of the expenses for feeding and management of that specific animal.  
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
7 answers
I am looking for a method to quantify differences in management approach, cultural aspects etc., as to explain why the South-Korean pig sector lags behind in performance and to learn how to improve.
Relevant answer
Answer
Hi Robert,
If you are more interested in what determines industry location, there is literature on that as well. 
1. Trade theorists’ discussions of production/industry location are informed by two strands of literature. Comparative advantage arguments based on the role of factor endowments can be derived from Heckscher-Ohlin (HO) models. Recent theoretic work has extended the standard HO models to accommodate environmental factors where cross-country differences in the stringency of (environmental) regulation play a role in trade patterns.
2. New economic geography (NEG), by contrast, stresses the importance of increasing returns, market access and upstream and downstream linkages. NEG predicts that while activity will be dispersed when transport costs are either ‘very high’ or ‘very low’, clustering of industries occur when transport costs are ‘intermediate’.
The HO and NEG theories should be regarded as complementary and their relative importance for industrial location outcomes is thus an empirical issue.
The attached paper  discusses the insights under 1 and 2 above in detail and  applies it in combination to analyse the location of pig production in Europe.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
4 answers
I managed to find the number of fur farms per country in an EU report, but I can't find the specific locations of the farms per country. 
Relevant answer
Answer
Thank you, Alex. Yes, I had already checked that page. It's ok now, I realised that in the end I don't really need the information anymore. Hugs!
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
6 answers
Old World camels are slow maturing animals however female Bactrian camels reproduce earlier in life then dromedaries.
Relevant answer
Answer
Hi, I agree with you, female can be reproduced so early, but we should differentiate between age of puberty and age of full maturity to avoid such complications in growth rate and at time of parturition (dystocia). 
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
6 answers
Specifically, feed containing doxycycline, amoxicillin, sulfatrim, or ivermectin?
Relevant answer
Answer
We have looked at side effects of feed additives (FEED ADDITIVES: DO THEY ADD TO ANIMAL WELFARE? AN EVALUATION . C.A. Kan, L.P. Jager and J.F. Grommers Animal Welfare I998, 7: 397 -414)
I am not aware of similar papers on "real" drugs.
Any effect wil always depend on the kind of trial you are doing and what parameters you are measuring
 
 
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
6 answers
My Lygodactylus williamsi geckos are complicated to say the least, but I hatched what had been sexed as a male (showed hemipene shadowing in post-vent) and a few weeks ago, "it" delivered a fully formed, hard shelled, fully yolked egg in the enclosure. Hemipene shadows still present, as well as displaying variations of the characteristic blue coloring, which is specifically male. I have three females who have remained olive and never hinted at blue coloration. It's 6 months old, and sexual maturity doesn't usually occur until after the first year. None of my herp texts, veterinary texts, or repro texts discuss this in any length other than it being related to parthenogenic species, which this one hasn't been categorized as. I'm also having a difficult time successfully hatching females. I'm at a 1:6 ratio currently for the past three years.
Relevant answer
Answer
Ester,
Two years ago I was incubating at 27C, most died. Okay, all died within the first three months of life. Last year I incubated at 22-25C (I repurposed a lab incubator for this precise control thinking it was a temp variation issue). I have had three female failures to hatch (incubated correctly and died after breaking the shell and never actually hatched). All but one male survived hatching. I have had egg retention and deposition occur 122 after last clutch delivery with one particular female. She also laid three clutches that were partially formed, empty eggs, or shells had holes in them. Yet, one of the retained eggs hatched and is a thriving male. Another female glued her eggs to the enclosure and the clutch took 142 days to hatch. The enclosure had variable temps, and tended to be cooler than the other 11 enclosures, so longer incubation time I was okay with. I honestly thought it had died since they hatch 80-110 days to hatch, and the enlisted was transported to a new location during the incubation. Nothing about this species in my captive experience is aligning with the Morris' or anyone else's publications. Which, by the way, keeping them from drowning in a drop of nectar, gecko replacement food, or get stuck in a plant and die has proven to be complicated as well.
James,
The egg was moved to incubation immediately, including the branch it was glued to. After a few weeks of keeping an eye on it, I noticed it was slightly deformed, having a deep depression on the backside near the branch. It looked similar to the egg that was retained and subsequently dried out during incubation. Once I cracked the egg, the yolk was dry, just the same. But, what surprised me was she had the pre-anal "V" pores, the hemipene shadows, and the blue phenotype (which I believe only occurs after first matings because I have three shades of blue in my males and they do not thrive without being able to see each other and interact with each other. They are much more social than expected. She hasn't laid another egg yet, but she's been devouring dusted fruit flies like they are going out of style and her calcium sacs aren't filling up. Even my males have calcium sacs now after the mating hiatus. My adult females were a bit chunky two weeks ago and yesterday I noticed they lost a lot of girth, but are still very active and have healthy calcium sacs, but no eggs were found in the enclosures upon inspection.
Gordon,
I may be asking you questions about your publications because the repro studies are new to me. This started off as a simple genetic variation study and has become something else now, so I lack some higher education in repro language and terminology. I didn't exactly focus on repro studies during my undergrad, which I'm now regretting.
I'm still trying to study for my MCAT, do my own studies, and try to find a job at the same time, so I apologize if I'm slow to reply. I sincerely appreciate everyone's help. Thank you!
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
4 answers
I am interested in establishment of bull superior.
Relevant answer
Answer
The presentation of puberty in the bull is associated with age and body weight, and race (genetic component). In the male puberty begins when the first male produces sperm, which is also associated with mounting behavior (females and males in the group). Puesdes review the age and average weight at which the bull (according to race) has puberty and that will allow you to have a better idea. The quality of sperm production can evaluate the collecting semen and watching the microscope.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
2 answers
Important issue in camel husbandry in all areas with scattered watering points
Relevant answer
Answer
Thank you but the factors you mentioned were already assumed to be present !
1) water appearance clean and devoid of unpleasant smell or other negative qualities
2) herdsman watering camels was stirring and splashing water
3) camel were fed and of the fodder was moderately dry
4) camels were exercised (the walk several km to reach the water point)
I know one traditional method used in Somalia! I am just curious to see if somebody else can come up with the same or a different method.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
6 answers
Relevant answer
Answer
Dear Fabian,
Thanks for your information. Certainly, I know their project in Wageningen and read summary and details about it.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
8 answers
Exchange information on various topics concerning Bactrian Camels.
Relevant answer
Answer
Thank you Haldis,
I know Peter and his wife they are working with dromedaries as milking animals in the very special set up of the UAE. They have a different expertise. I know Prof Niasari I did a “camel workshop” at Teheran University for him a few years ago. He is a very good scientist but also him with a different expertise: camel reproduction: implanting Bactrian embryos in dromedary surrogate mothers (there are very few Bactrian in Iran) and camel AI .
Bactrian and dromedaries are very similar (they interbreed and produce fertile offsprings) so there are not many differences
My few simple questions: how to estimate the body weight of a bactrian camel? Is the formula used to estimate body weight in dromedaries ever been used for bactrians ? Is camel pox present among bactrians (probably yes) but is the disease clinically similar to the one affecting dromedaries? Is C. titillator present in bactrian (probably yes)? Is lymphadenitis common in bactrian as in the dromedary? Is Sarcoptes scabiei the main culprit for causing mange or other mites? Body areas affected as in the dromedary ? How the syndrome “wry neck” is treated? What is the watering interval during dry condition? What is the morning and evening rectal temperature in a normally dehydrated Bactrian ? etc etc etc .
Can you or somebody else answer? Alternatively if offered the possibility I would be happy to spend some time in a nomad camp to drink Bactrian camel milk and ask the herdsman a million questions!
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
5 answers
Two years ago we imported exotic rabbits from France to improve rabbit productivity in the country. The rabbits have shown good growth rates but are not reproducing very well. We have high incidence of kit mortality during kindling and after kindling even after post weaning stages. The rabbits were imported from a temperate country to a tropical country. They are receiving Vitamin C to reduce effect of heat stress. Air-conditioning and fans are used on very hot days to also reduce effect of heat.
Relevant answer
Answer
Reduce handling (with your hands) to a minimum. My experience is that mothers neglect them (or even eat them) when the pups are disturbed (their smell I guess).
What is the meaning of control here? increase, decrease at will, simply measure or compare? To measure, compare mortality frequencies to that of a control group not handled or still in its European environment. If your objective is to acclimate these rabbits or descendants to tropical conditions, then keeping them in a room mimicking temperate conditions is inappropriate.
Selection : Keep the surviving ones and have them reproduce among themselves to obtain a resistant line.
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
4 answers
It can be questions to be asked, as many producers do not measure and record traits that need equipment.
Relevant answer
Meat mass (kg) produced per production area (ha), calving interval, open days, residual feed intake (if measurable), birth rate, dystocia rate, abortus rate, weaning rate, weaning weight, fertility index, etc... There are many measures
  • asked a question related to Animal Husbandry
Question
2 answers
For a successful cattle keeping.
Relevant answer
Answer
Thanks Dr. Pankaj for you useful answer to my question. Personally, am against the use of antibiotics. The problem is that it has become a habbit of injecten and feeding the cattle with these medicines to protect them from getting sick on the savannah grassland.