LIVESTOCK RESEARCH STATION, KATTUPAKKAM

RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Release of new strain of sheep - "Kattupakkam Red Sheep"

The strain was released in the year 1995. It is an important meat breed in India. The strain is fast growing, easy to handle, suitable for wide range of conditions and comparatively resistant to diseases.

The mature ram and ewe weigh 22 and 21.1 kg respectively. The skin of Kattupakkam Red Sheep is preferred in tanning industry due to better gains in the finished leather.The meat of the strain is finely textured, tender with a pleasant meaty odour and flavour.

Performance Birth weight  2.67 kg 6 month weight   14.82 kg 9 month weight  20.35 kg 12 month weight   21.57 kg

2. Release of "Kattupakkam White Pig"

Kattupakkam White Pig is a strain developed as a result of two decades of research by selective breeding. It is highly prolific, fast growing, easy to handle and has the capacity to produce two farrowings/sow/year. They are regular breeders and attain maturity at the age of 8 to 9 months.

Performance Litter size at birth   10.18 Litter size at weaning 7.55 Birth weight  1.13 kg Weaning weight   9.99 kg Body weight at 154 days  52.40 kg Body weight at 210 days  72.88 kg

3. Jersey X Sindhi crossbred - suitable for the plains of Tamil Nadu

Performance Age at first calving  30-36 months Lactation yield (305 days)   2500 kg Inter-calving period   13-14 months Milk fat   5 per cent

4. Murrah buffaloes - selective breeding

Performance Age at first calving   48 months Lactation yield(305 days)   1800 kg Inter-calving period  18 months Milk fat   7 per cent

5. Under the pilot project on crossbreeding with Boer goat, the crossbreds are emerging with satisfactory increase in body weight.

On an average, more than 40% increase in body weight is observed over the local goats.

Body weight (kg)  Boer crossbred  Local goat At birth 2.49 1.85 At Weaning 10.63 6.67 At 6 months 14.16 9.85

6. The performance of Tellichery goat under intensive system of management revealed the average body weight of 26 kg at the age of one year.

7. Under All India Co-ordinated Project on Pigs, the local desi have been studied for the past 6 years. They are now adapted to the intensive system of management with the satisfactory performance characteristics.

Performance Litter size at birth   6.61 Litter size at weaning   4.26 Birth weight   0.44 kg Weaning weight   6.67 kg Body weight at 30 weeks  32.40 kg

8. The Broiler Rabbit unit serves as seed stock for farmers, including 3 major meat breeds such as New Zealand White, White Giant and Soviet Chinchilla. The 6 month body weight of these broiler rabbits are found to be 2.5 to 3.0 kg.

 

9. Under Ostrich scheme, the Ostriches have been imported from Malaysia on 26.04.2000 to study their adaptability and performance characteristics for commercial exploitation. The Ostrich is the largest living bird, hardy in nature and can survive in a wide variety of climates. They have long productive life of more than 80 years by producing usable products such as meat, hide, feathers and eggs.

Performance particulars (as on 31.01.2002)
1.	Average feed intake (crumbled pellet)	2.50 kg/bird/day
2.	Average green fodder intake (Stylo)	2.50 kg/bird/day
3.	Average water intake	14 lit./bird/day
4.	Average body weight	125 kg
5.	Average height	8.5 feet
6.	Average pepples intake	50 g/bird/day
7.	Average egg weight	1158.92 g

10. Under Institution Village Linkage Programme for Technology Assessment and Refinement, a pilot study was carried out in Nellikuppam and Ammapet villages.
A total of 417 families, 1100 acres of agricultural land, 780 cattle, 260 goats, 275 sheep, 1350 chicken and 90 ducks have been benefited. At present, the scheme is functioning under National Agricultural Technology Project benefiting the farmers engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry, agricultural engineering and horticulture in Anjur, Therkupattu, Therkas, Kollamedu and Pudu colony villages.

11. Under "Productivity Enhancement of Ducks" scheme a total of 150 duck farmers in Kancheepuram and Villupuram districts are benefited. The problems faced by the farmers in these regions are identified through Participatory Rural Appraisal technique and demand driven, location specific technologies in the existing micro-farming situations are taken up to assess the impact of the refined technologies for extrapolation to similar production system.

12. The scheme to Enhance the productivity of pigs is taken up in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. The local desi pigs are improved by crossing with exotic breed, Large White Yorkshire. Under this scheme, more than 50 pig farmers are benefited.

13. Fisheries scheme: Duck Cum Fish culture

14. Government of India Scheme on “Assistance of states for Integrated Piggery Development to strengthen the existing pig farm at Livestock Research Station, Kattupakkam” Landrace, Duroc and Large White Yorkshire pigs have been purchased to develop three way cross hybrid piglets to increase the pork production.

DUROC PIG	LANDRACE PIG