Browsing by Author "Gunawardana, G.A."

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    Effect of Dietary Probiotic and Phytobiotic Combination on Growth Performance and Meat Quality Traits of Commercial Broilers
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019) Adikari, A.A.D.I.; Illippangama, I.P.A.U.N.K.; Gunawardana, G.A.; Palliyeguru, M.W.C.D.; Jayasena, D.D.
    Probiotics and phytobiotics are feed additives that enhance gut health, improve digestion, absorption and thereby promote performances of humans and animals. This research was conducted to determine the effect of dietary probiotic and phytobiotic combination on growth performance and meat quality traits of commercial broiler chicken. A total of 996 day-old, Cobb-500 broiler chicks were randomly assigned into the experiment pens. The treatment (0.25g of probiotic Bacillus spp. and 0.25g of phytobiotics in 1L of drinking water) and control (drinking water only) were each replicated six times in separate pens, each pen had 83 chicks. All the birds were fed ad-libitum with commercial broiler starter, grower and finisher feeds. Two birds from each replicate were randomly sampled and slaughtered on day 35. Leg meat samples were tested for sensory parameters, meat quality and proximate composition. Blood serum samples were collected and tested for antibody levels against alpha toxin of Clostridium perfringens bacteria. Birds fed growth promoters achieved better (p<0.05) weight gain (1,927g) and feed conversion ratio (1.53) compared to the control group: 1,908g and 1.55, respectively. In addition, they had significantly higher (p<0.05) sensory attributes: flavour, taste, juiciness and overall acceptability compared to the control group. Raw meat redness (10.3) was lower (p<0.05) and lightness (58.8) was higher (p<0.05) in the treatment compared to those in control: 12.9 and 54.8, respectively. However, other meat quality traits and proximate composition were comparable between the two groups, except ash content which was higher (p<0.05) in birds fed growth promoters compared to control. There was no significant difference in serum antibody levels between the two groups. In conclusion, probiotic and phytobiotic combination in drinking water improved growth performance of broiler chickens and the sensory attributes of the leg meat.
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    Evaluation of the Effect of Artificial Insemination (Ai) on Hatchability in Indigenous Chicken at Central Poultry Research Station, Karandagolla
    (Uva Wellassa University of Srilanka, 2011) Andaraweera, N.D.; Nambapana, N.M.N.; Gunawardana, G.A.
    The poultry farming is considered as one of the main livestock sector in Sri Lanka where indigenous chicken farming provides a promising house hold income for people in rural areas of Sri Lanka. (Buvanendran,1976).They can get high quality and quantity of day old chicks and eggs for daily consumption by rearing indigenous chicken.(Kushanthi et al., 2003) Introduction of Artificial Insemination (AI) program for indigenous chicken can be used for selection, upgrading and development of several suitable indigenous chickens for back yard poultry farming in Sri Lanka (De Silva, 1964). This experiment was carried out at the Central Poultry Research Station, Karandagolla under the supervision of staff of Veterinary Research Institute, Gannoruwa. The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the Artificial Insemination on hatchability in indigenous chicken and to supply increased number of indigenous chicks to farmers by improving hatchability through AI which is the best method for breeding while increasing hatchability. .
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    Prevalence and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Bacteria in Milk from Subclinical Mastitis Cows in Embilipitiya, Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019) Abeysekara, N.N.; Gunawardana, G.A.
    Several types of bacteria can be present in cow milk due to contaminated sources in the dairy farms and from cows with infected udder like subclinical mastitis. Antibiotics are used to control mastitis and other diseases in dairy cows. However the erroneous usage of antibiotics can lead to increased resistance among bacteria that may have public health implications. Thus, the present study was carried out from January to September 2018 to assess the prevalence, types and antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria from subclinical mastitis cows` milk. A total of 160 milk samples from 40 lactating cows were collected from four dairy farms in Embilipitiya, Sri Lanka. California Mastitis Test was used to detect subclinical mastitis in cows. Bacteria in milk were identified using selective media (MacConkey, Brilliance coliform, Mannitol etc.), colony morphology, Gram staining and biochemical tests (Catalase, Coagulase, Citrate, Urease etc.). Susceptibilities of the isolates were tested against 9 antibiotics using Kirby-Bauer method. Overall, 16 cows were detected with mastitis. The prevalence of mastitis in quarter-wise and animalwise were 10% and 40%, respectively. Hind quarters (32.5%) were affected than fore quarters (7.5%) while quarter disposition showed significant difference (P< 0.01). Staphylococcus sp. (38%) was most frequently found, followed by Bacillus sp. (31%), E. coli (19%) and Klebsiella sp. (12%). Bacterial isolates were susceptible to gentamycin (56%) followed by enrofloxacin (44%) and neomycin (38%). Isolates were highly resistant to tetracycline (75%), cloxacillin (69%) and ampicillin (63%). Forty five percent of the isolates were resistant to one or more antibiotics. In conclusion, findings showed that mastitis can reduce the milk quality due to bacterial content. Appropriate farm management practices and prudent use of antibiotics are necessary to ensure consumer safety by producing high quality milk minimizing the risk of resistant bacteria in milk.