A study was conducted to evaluate the impact of probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic as feed additives on faecal counts of coliform and E. coli along with cell mediated immune response in crossbred calves. For this purpose fifteen days old, 24 crossbred calves were divided into 4 groups of 6 calves each. The calves were assigned to different dietary treatments viz T 0 (control group) -basal diet, T 1 (probiotic group) -basal diet + Lactobacillus acidophilus @ 1 g/calf/day (2 x 10 10 cfu/ g), T 2 (prebiotic group) -basal diet + Mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) @ 4 g per calf/day and T 3 (synbiotic group) basal diet +Lactobacillus acidophilus @ 0.5 gm (2 x 10 10 cfu/ g) + 2 g MOS per calf/day respectively for a period of 90 days. Faecal samples for coliform and E. coli count were taken at 15 days interval. Blood samples were taken at 15 days interval for lymphocyte count. Blood samples were taken at 45 th and 90 th -day for lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) in EDTA coated vials. Skin fold test was done on 90 th day of experimental study. The results of study showed that there was a significant reduction in faecal shedding of coliform and E. coli in T 1 , T 2 and T 3 groups indicating lesser proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the gut. The treatment groups T 2 and T 3 showed a significant increase in lymphocyte count whereas all the treated groups had significantly higher values of the lymphocytic index on 45 th and 90 th day post supplementation indicating improved cell mediated immunity. Increased skin fold thickness was observed post 48 hours of phytohaemagglutinin injection in T 2 and T 3 groups. It may, therefore, be concluded that supplementation of prebiotic and synbiotic is advantageous in attaining gut conditioning and enhanced immunity which may be helpful in preventing calf scours in crossbred calves.

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The present research was conducted to study the growth performance of 906 Pantja kids of 514 goats sired by 26 bucks maintained by registered farmers under All India Co-ordinated Research Project on goats (Pantja field Unit) running in College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) during 2015-16. The overall least-square means for body weight at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were found to be 1.89±0.02, 9.49±0.20, 13.09±0.18, 16.38±0.19 and 18.84±0.22 kg, respectively. The random effect of sire was highly significant (P<0.01) on body weight at birth, 3, 6 and 9 months of age whereas, this effect was found to be significant (P<0.05) on 12 months body weight. The cluster had a highly significant (P< 0.01) effect on birth, 3, 6 and 12 months body weights.Type of birth and sex of kid was found to be highly significant on birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months body weights. The heritability estimates were 0.25±0.09, 0.38±0.12, 0.30±0.11, 0.29±0.08 and 0.43±0.13 for body weight at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age, respectively. The genetic and phenotypic correlations of body weight to body weight at subsequent ages were observed to be high and positive.Key words: Body weight, Cluster, Heritability, Pantja goats, Sire. INTRODUCTIONIndia possess 26 recognized breeds of goats, which constitute 20-25 per cent of the total goat population and remaining are non-descript with mixed features. Pantja is a newly registered goat breed of Tarai region of Uttarakhand, which is mainly reared for meat purpose by the farmers of this region. These goats are recognized for similarity with deer in their morphological characteristicsand are commonly found in hot and humid climate (Tarai region) of Uttarakhand and adjoining district of Uttar Pradesh. Growth is an early expressed trait and has a direct bearing on the age of maturity, which in turn is stated to be highly genetically and nongenetically correlated with lifetime production and reproduction. Based on their growth, meat animal can be evaluated at an early age, which can significantly enhance/ promote push up the economics of goat industry. More over growthis an indication of health and adaptability of the animal. It can be used as a useful check of the systems of feeding and management.Genetic studies on growth performance in Indian goats, in general and particular in Pantja are lacking. Therefore, the study was undertaken to evaluate the growth performance and the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors affecting the growth traits that can create a good foundation for genetic evaluation and formulation of breeding plans for further genetic improvement of the breed.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the production performance and economics of CARI Nirbheek chickens for backyard farming under semi-arid ecosystem in central Gujarat. The overall mean body weights of CARI Nirbheek chickens at 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 Differences in body weights between male and female chickens were found to be significant. The mortality in CARI Nirbheek chicken during the period from 6 to 20 weeks and 21 to 40 weeks of age was recorded 12.20 and 5.09 per cent, respectively. The average age at first egg laying was recorded 157.46±1.19 days while age at sexual maturity was recorded 173.36±2.71 days. The average hen day egg production up to 40 and 72 weeks of age were recorded 54.94±0.41and 167.89±1.42, respectively. The value for different egg quality traits clearly indicated that the eggs produced from CARI Nirbheek are of superior quality. The benefit cost ratio was recorded 1:4.68 per family for rearing under backyard farming system. From the present study it may be concluded that CARI Nirbheek chickens could be suitable with respect to reproductive and productive performance as well as adaptability in the semi-arid ecosystem.