- Impact of diversified drying methods on meat quality and shelf-life in small ruminants - Evaluation of alternative protein sources on growth performance and gut microbiota in poultry - Genetic markers associated with heat tolerance in tropical cattle breeds - Effect of nutraceutical feed additives on milk composition and somatic cell count in dairy cows - Assessment of lactation curve modeling in high-yielding dairy goats under tropical conditions - Housing design and welfare implications on stress physiology in layer hens - Use of precision livestock farming tools to monitor grazing efficiency in beef cattle - Enzymatic processing of agricultural by-products to improve digestibility in ruminants - Antibiotic-free rearing strategies: impact on performance and resistance profiles in broilers - Post-weaning management practices and their effects on rumen development in lambs - Evaluation of alternative vaccines for mitigating Marek’s disease impact in poultry - Effect of probiotic supplementation on subclinical mastitis and udder health in dairy cows - Nutritional strategies to enhance reproductive efficiency in small ruminants - Comparative digestibility and methane emission assessments of locally available forages in goats - Influence of water quality and mineral supplementation on broiler performance and shell quality - Behavioral enrichment and productivity in dairy sows: a welfare-focused study - Role of fermented feedstuffs on growth performance and gut health in weaned piglets - Assessment of cochlear and auditory health under variable noise exposure in cattle facilities - Genotype-by-environment interactions for feed efficiency in crossbred cattle under heat stress

Project Abstract

This study integrates multidisciplinary approaches across animal science to evaluate how diversified drying methods influence meat quality and shelf-life in small ruminants, while concurrently assessing how alternative protein sources affect growth performance and gut microbiota in poultry, and exploring genetic markers associated with heat tolerance in tropical cattle breeds to inform resilient breeding programs. In small ruminants, we compare sun-drying, shade-drying, oven-drying, and freeze-drying of carcass or processed products, analyzing proximate composition, lipid oxidation, color stability, texture profile, microbial safety, and shelf-life under varied storage conditions to identify processing–quality trade-offs and consumer acceptability. Parallelly, in poultry, we evaluate protein sources including insect meal, microalgae, plant-based isolates, and conventional soybean meal, monitoring growth performance, feed conversion, nitrogen utilization, feather metrics, and gut microbiota composition via 16S rRNA gene sequencing to elucidate host–microbiome–diet interactions and performance outcomes. In cattle, we conduct genome-wide association studies and targeted sequencing to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes linked to heat tolerance indicators such as body temperature regulation, respiration rate, feed intake under heat stress, and production traits, complemented by transcriptomic profiling of key thermoregulatory pathways. Milk quality is investigated in dairy cows receiving nutraceutical feed additives—omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, selenium, and plant polyphenols—assessing milk yield, composition, fat globule size, somatic cell count, oxidative stability, and antioxidant status to determine synergistic or antagonistic effects on lactation performance. Goats under tropical conditions are studied for lactation curve modeling, comparing nonlinear models (Wood, Brody, Wilmink) to capture lactation dynamics and their stability across environmental heat loads. Housing and welfare are evaluated in layer hens and dairy sows, where housing design, stocking density, enrichment, and environmental complexity are correlated with stress physiology markers (cortisol, HPA axis activity) and productivity metrics. Precision livestock farming tools—including sensor networks, automated weighing, and activity monitors—are deployed to monitor grazing efficiency in beef cattle, enabling real-time decision support for pasture management and animal welfare. Enzymatic processing of agricultural by-products (e.g., fibrous residues, oilseed cakes) is examined for digestibility and rumen fermentation profiles, aiming to improve nutrient utilization in ruminants and reduce environmental waste. Antibiotic-free rearing strategies are implemented in broilers to assess performance, health status, and antimicrobial resistance gene carriage. Post-weaning management in lambs investigates rumen development, microbiota maturation, and performance trajectories under optimized transition protocols. The study also evaluates vaccine alternatives for Marek’s disease and their impact on poultry health and productivity, and the role of fermented feedstuffs on growth and gut health in weaned piglets, incorporating sensory and welfare outcomes. Overall, the research seeks integrative insights into production efficiency, animal welfare, and sustainability across species, linking processing methods, nutrition, genetics, microbiology, and precision management to inform evidence-based recommendations for industry stakeholders.

Project Overview

What This Project Is About

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The project looks at how different farming methods affect meat quality and shelf-life in small ruminants, how alternative protein sources influence growth and gut health in poultry, and how genetics, nutrition, housing, and farming tools interact to improve animal welfare, performance, and sustainability. It combines practical farming practices with simple scientific measurements to help students decide which area suits them.

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The Problem It Addresses

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Farms face challenges like meat spoilage, variable growth performance, animal stress, and antibiotic use. This project explores practical ways to improve product quality, animal well-being, and environmental impact without heavy jargon or costly setups.

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Objectives of the Project

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1. Understand how drying or processing methods change meat quality and shelf-life.
2. Evaluate alternative protein sources for growth and gut health in poultry.
3. Identify simple indicators of heat tolerance, not just lab tests.
4. Explore nutraceuticals and their effect on milk composition and udder health.
5. Learn basic modeling of lactation patterns in dairy goats under tropical conditions.
6. Assess how housing design affects stress and welfare in layer hens.
7. Use basic precision tools to monitor grazing and understand data outputs.
8. Test enzyme-treated by-products to improve digestibility in ruminants.

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What You Will Do Step by Step

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1) Review simple literature sources and plan experiments. 2) Collect basic data from small farms (meat quality indicators, shelf-life estimates). 3) Compare protein sources for growth in poultry using weight gain and feed intake records. 4) Observe welfare aspects in housing setups and note stress signs. 5) Use basic data logging tools to track grazing efficiency. 6) Conduct simple digestibility tests with by-products. 7) Analyze trends with straightforward comparisons and charts. 8) Summarize findings and discuss practical implications.

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Expected Outcome

Students will gain practical experience in data collection and interpretation, understand how farming practices affect product quality and animal welfare, and be able to propose practical improvements for farms seeking sustainable, low-cost options.