Andaman and Nicobar islands have total livestock population of 154750 including crossbred animals. Generally, there is 99% shortage of green fodder, 52% shortage of dry fodder and 97% concentrates/grain mixture shortage in the islands. In the arena of Corona attack, not only shortage and transit of feed have made the practice of animal husbandry very difficult but also it is a challenge to keep alive the present animal population in the islands.
Feeding Strategies to support the livestock
Presently, there are acute shortage of feed, fodder and drinking water for livestock. Transportation of feed and fodder for animals becomes more difficult to different areas. However, this has to be done on top priority for saving of animals’ life. The feeding strategies can be developed with the following objectives:
1. To feed animals for maintenance that ensures survival of animals.
2. To feed productive stock preferentially and Reducing Nutrient requirements of the herd
3. Maximize feeding local feed and unconventional feed
4. Share the feed resources among other needy farmers
1. Feeding Maintenance ration:
Thumb rule for Cattle Maintenance ration is, 2Kg feed for 100 kg body weight (i.e. 1.3kg Roughages and 0.6Kg Concentrates). While Production ration has, 1 Kg Concentrate/2.5 Kg Milk in addition to the Maintenance Ration. Animals maintained on malnutrition condition for prolonged period are supposed to suffer from different diseases and immunity of animals goes down. So immediately, when the scarcity period is over, animals should be adequately fed taking care of supplementation of different minerals and vitamins.
2. Feeding productive stock and Reducing Nutrient requirements of the herd:
Extra care should be given to the pregnant animal. Lactation represents the greatest nutrient demand for animals during a production cycle. One of the simplest ways to reduce nutrient requirements is to wean the young ones. This practice can cut nutrient requirements by one-third to one-half depending on milk production of the animal. Early weaned animals can achieve adequate rates of growth if given access to a high quality ration. Dry animals will eat less than lactating animal’s further reducing demand on feed.
3. Feeding local feed and unconventional feed:
Livestock should be fed with locally available industrial waste, different tree leaves, leave sheath or improving the coarse roughage which will be able to support the life of the animals. Pineapple waste, Cashew apple waste, Banana stem waste, Jackfruit waste etc. and vegetables or wastes from the vegetable market can be fetched for cattle and buffaloes. Areca sheath can be an alternate option at this point. To prepare 2 kg cattle feed cut 1.5 Kg Areca sheath into smaller pieces (2 x 10 mm size) and soak for 1-2h in hot water or boil for 30 min, and then add 0.5 bran (chokkar)/ grain mix before cooling and feeding the animals. An island cattle need 7-8 Kg feed a day, thus 2Kg cattle feed can be fed with 6-8 h of grazing or 20-25 Kg green fodder.
4. Feed sharing:
It is an appeal to the resourceful farmers to support the poor farmer and his livestock in this hour of need, to overcome the Corona nuisance.
Goat feeding:
Goats can thrive on variety of feed (pasture, fodders, tree tops, tree leaves, tree barks, etc.). At present the goats can be given 70-100g (rice/broken rice/wheat/barley/sorghum or any cereal grain) and 4-5 kg green grass/fodder/tree leaves. Tree leaves like Babul, Bel, Mahanimb, Kachnar, Kumbhi or wild guava, Saras, Lasoda, Neem, Chamror, Banyan, Bhimal, Bharanga, Anjir, Indian ash, Fig, Subabul, Peepal, Kaamla, Sajna, Kusum, Mulberry/sahtut, Sal, Sandan, Jamun, Imli, Asan, White locust, Ber, Goal patti, Jungli papita etc.
Pig feeding during COVID 19, arena:
Feeding frequency: The best practice to feed the pigs is twice a day, at morning and late in the afternoon or early evening.
Feeding (on the basis of pigs body weight):
Up to body weight of 5kg—200g concentrate and forage ad lib
Up to body weight of 10kg—400g concentrate and forage ad lib
Up to body weight of 20kg—750g concentrate and forage ad lib
Up to body weight of 50kg—1.0Kg concentrate and forage ad lib
Up to body weight of 50kg and above—1.5Kg concentrate and forage ad lib
Feeding area:
Concentrate meal (grain or grain mixes) are better to feed from trough and forages are to be scattered on the pen floor bedding for feeding to take place over a wider space limiting potential aggression in the group and encourage the pigs for natural foraging behaviour.
What to feed:
The pigs should be fed with concentrates (grain mix.) and forages. Concentrates comprises of energy supplements (grains of Rice, wheat, millets, Barley or any other cereal) and protein supplements (coconut, oil seed cakes of groundnut, mustard, sunflower, cotton and animal proteins like fish, snails, meaty portions of seashells and meat, etc).
They can eat wide variety of forages like grasses, water plants, bushes and tree leaves, vegetables of all kinds, fruits, nuts etc. and household leftover foods. The vegetables/fruits wastes, like Cabbage, Cauliflower, Potato, Guards etc. and fruits like Jack fruit, Guava, Sapota, Apple, Pineapple, Oranges, Melon, Water melon, Cucumber etc. are enjoyed by the pigs.
Nali Bhaji, Halancho Shak, local clover, Amaranthus (weed), Water hyacinth (weed) etc. can be added to the diet of the pigs to add vitamins, fibre, minerals and bulk. The locally growns like Colocasia (full plant of Colocasia), Sweet potato (root and full plant, Pandanus (fruit), Coconuts (nut), Banana (banana rejects or wastes, leaves and banana stems), Cassava (Malayali aloo root and peels), Rice (broken rice, bran and polish), Moringa oleifera (Sajna fruits and leaves), Gliricidia sepium (Jindaballi leaves) and slaughter house wastes (cooked, supplemented with mineral mixture) can be fed to the pigs as supplements over the grain mixture.
Pet care and feeding:
We need to take care of the pets in the hot and humid climate of the island. Pets are very sensitive to heat as cats or dogs do not sweat like we humans do.
1. Don’t exercise your dog in excessive heat and humidity, choose to exercise your pet early or late in the day. Even a sunny day at 27 oC is too hot when the relative humidity is 80 or above. Don’t leave your dog outdoor in the sweltering heat without shade, shelter or plenty of water.
2. Have fresh and cold water available, at all times. To pant or to lick the fur, saliva is needed, obviously! Your pet might become dehydrated if you do not provide him with enough water. Drinking water will also help him cool himself, especially if the water is cold enough. You can put a couple of ice cubes before you leave for work, so that the water stays cooler longer.
3. Let your pet swim! Swimming has two main benefits, fresh water immediately cool down the dog’s body temperature from conduction, plus his wet fur will help him dissipate heat through evaporation. You could also leave him a water basin so that he can wet his paws during the day.
4. Give your pet some air! Will help dissipate heat through their body. Putting a fan in front of an opened window will help create a fresh breeze in your house that all your animals can enjoy. A fan in front of their favorite sleeping locations will also help them stay cool on a warm and humid day.
5. Have some wet and fresh towels, as well as wrapped icepacks available in your pets’ beds. The cooling effect of such attentions is almost immediate, and very effective, even on humid days, as the body heat escapes to warm the cold item through a conduction phenomenon.
In summer both dogs and cats may eat less, this is because they do not need as much energy during the summer months as they do during the winter – when they need it to expend in the colder months trying to keep warm. Feed the pets with fresh food and avoid stale one. Follow your pet´s appetite level and decrease his or her daily portion accordingly. If you feed breakfast, skip it occasionally or at times when the weather is very hot for several days in a row. Consider fasting once a week, offer meals at room temperature or slightly cooler, but avoid too cold food. Feed in a cool shady place. Avoid feeding fatty meats and warming foods. That includes not only certain meat types, but also warming herbs and spices, oatmeal, etc.
Summer treats (fed in small quantity) for dogs are as below
1. Water melon
2. Cucumber, very low on sugar content and carbohydrates make ideal for obese dogs
3. Banana
4. Beans, chop into small pieces and serve them fresh, frozen, raw or cooked minus spices/salt
5. Oranges, should be given without any seeds and peel
6. Spinach, high in minerals and good for gut health
7. Mangoes, without peel
8. Potatoes, cooked/boiled, mashed or baked
9. Pineapple, without peel
10. Pumpkin, should be cooked
Caution: The pets nose should be moist (indicator of sound health). Pets temperature can be felt by touching the ears, and if the pet is feverish or you feel your pet is not doing well then just consult the vet.
