The present study was aimed to investigate the dietary effect of different levels of turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder on the performance of broiler during summer (June-July), 2013. Four experimental rations designated as T 0 , T 1 , T 2 and T 3 having 0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% Turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder were fed to 120 broiler chicks (Ross 308), randomly distributed into 12 replicates, so as to have 3 replicates per treatment and 10 chicks per replicate. Average weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, dressing yield and survivability were used as criteria of response to feeding turmeric powder. Organs weight including heart, liver and gizzard were also recorded. The mean body weight gain and average feed efficiency (feed gain -1 ) per broiler significantly increased (P<0.01) by turmeric supplemented feed compared to control feed. The average feed consumption and survivability of broiler chick non-significantly (P>0.05) improved due to by turmeric supplementation in the diets. Inclusion of turmeric powder caused slightly increased the carcass traits of broiler chicks i.e., average weight of liver, heart and gizzard but the differences were non-significant (P>0.05). A significant decrease (P<0.01) in abdominal fat pad and significant increase (P<0.05) in dressing yield was observed in chickens fed the turmeric supplemented diets. The results of the present study suggest that the use of turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder as feed additive at a level of 0.5% enhances the growth performances and carcass yield of broiler chicks.

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A survey was conducted using a pre-tested interview schedule in the village Charnelukhia under Gouiripur upazilla of Mymensingh district to study the present status, problems and prospects of pigeon farming in the rural areas of Bangladesh. Data were collected from 15 pigeon farmers. Housing cost, height of house, duration of house, quantity of feed supplied to each pigeon/day, male female ratio, marketing age, weight, price of squab, number of squab/pair of pigeon, production of squab/year/pair of pigeon, price of each pigeon and mortality of pigeon were Tk. 113.33, 3.50m, 5 years, 34.50g, 1.07, 26.66 days, 258g, Tk. 51, 1.67, 19.53, Tk. 113.33 and 6.67% respectively. Most of the pigeon farmers rear pigeon in small scale scavenging system with supplementary feeding. They have no idea about breed and variety of pigeon and prevention of diseases. There is a lot of demand of squab meat in the market due to its delicacy and taste. The pigeon farming may be increased with government initiative providing training to farmers and extending loans. Introduction of meat breeds, good flock size and balanced feed need to be ensured for improving income and employment opportunity.

A partial diallel crossing of Rhode Island Red (RIR), White Leghorn (WLH), Fayoumi (FO), Desi normal (DN) and Desi dwarf (DD) produced RIR, WLH, FO, DN, DD, RIR x DD, WLH x DD and FO x DD offspring. A total 709 chicks, 75 RIR, 130 WLH, 100 FO, 70 DN, 66 DD, 80 RIR x DD, 80 WLH x DD and 108 FO x DD were reared for studying growth performance up to 18 weeks of age. At 19 weeks, the crossbreds RIR x DD, WLH x DD and FO x DD were separated into normal and dwarf genetic groups on the basis of shank length and thus 11 genetic groups, RIR, WLH, FO, DN, DD, RIR x DD normal, RIR x DD dwarf, WLH x DD normal, WLH x DD dwarf, FO x DD normal and FO x DD dwarf were obtained. Day-old weight differed significantly (P<0.05) between genotypes. When crossed with Desi dwarf, the day-old weight of RIR, WLH and FO decreased by 7.0, 8.7 and 15.3%. DD chicks had 9.2% lower day-old weight than DN. All DD and DD crossbred chicks had lower feed intake (P<0.01) at all stages of growth. There were no significant differences in daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and mortality between genotypes (P>0.05). The shank length differed significantly between genotypes at all ages regardless of sex (P<0.01) and differences between genotypes increased at older ages. Shank length of pure breeds and normal crossbreds were similar and much longer than in dwarf crossbreds DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bvet.v30i1.16282 Bangl. vet. 2013. Vol. 30, No. 1, 25-32

The present study was conducted at milk pocket areas Sahjadpur Upazila under Sirajgonj district and Shathia and Bera Upazila under the Pabna district, respectively. A total number of one hundred ninety (190) dairy farmers were surveyed randomly selecting twenty farmers from each village. All data collected were statistically analyzed using Univariate General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SPSS computer program. Lack of balanced feed was the highest cause of repeat breeding claimed by about sixty (60%) percent farmers in this study. The highest incidence of RB was obtained in LocalHolstein Friesian crosses (69%) and lowest in LocalSahiwal crosses (8%). From the study of present findings; it can be concluded that genotype, nutrient of feed, quality of semen, frequency of insemination and reproductive problems are the main possible causes for RB in the studied areas.