We conducted a study to evaluate the effect of tulsi leaf (Ocimum sanctum) extract supplementation in drinking water as a growth promoter in the broiler. A total of 50 Cobb-500 broiler chicks (day-old) were purchased from a local hatchery (CP Bangladesh Co. Ltd). After seven days of acclimatization, chicks were randomly divided into two groups:- T, (n=25) and T, (n=25). Group T, was kept as a control and untreated. Group T; was supplemented with tulsi leaf extracts 0.02% with tap water. Weekly observations were recorded for live body weight gain up to 4 weeks and hematological tests were performed at the broiler’s 21% and 28″ day’s age. The initial body weight of groups To and T, on 1% day of this experiment were 48.43+0.61 g and 47.77+0.22 g, respectively, and after the 28″ day of the experiment, final body weights were 1386.62+18.36 g, and 1476.25+12.21 g, respectively and net profit per broiler was Tk. 18.65 and Tk. 23.09, respectively. The live body weight of the treatment group (T,) was increased significantly (p<0.01) than that of the control group (To). The treatment group T, was recorded statistically significant (at 5% level) increased (6.935) live body weight than that of control group To. The hematological parameters total erythrocyte count (TEC), packed cell volume (PCV), and hemoglobin (Hb) estimation value of the treatment group was increased significantly (p<0.01), and total leukocyte count (TLC) was increased significantly (p<0.05). In contrast, hemoglobin (Fb) estimation showed significant difference from the control group. The results suggest that a broiler supplemented with 0.02% tulsi leaf extract could achieve better growth performance.

Keywords: Tulsi leaf extract, Growth performance, Hematological parameters, Cost-benefit analysis in broiler

Feeding experiment was conducted for 62-days with commercial probiotic “Navio plus” to identify and quantify its effects on growth and feed utilization parameters of Asian stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis). Ten (10) H. fossilis fingerlings (3.63±0.02 g) were stocked in each aquarium and 12 aquaria were divided into four groups (3 aquaria/group). Fish groups were fed without probiotic, 2, 5 and 10g / kg probiotic which was marked as T1 (control), T2, T3 and T4 (treatments), respectively. At the end of the experiment, mean final body weight (FBW) of T1, T2, T3 and T4 was 12.92±0.01, 14.05±0.01, 15.67±0.01 and 16.21±0.01 g, respectively. Similarly, mean weight gain (WG) was 255.83±0.42, 287.05±0.27, 331.68±0.27 and 346.56±0.27%, respectively. Among these results, FBW and WG in all treatments were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than control (T1), where T4 had the highest value among the treatments. Like as FBW and WG, specific growth rate was also significantly increased in all treatment groups. In case of feed utilization parameters, feed conversion ratio and feed efficiency ratio among these diet groups remain unchanged (P > 0.05). However, protein efficiency ratio in T1 (1.30±0.100) was the lowest, whereas, T4 achieved the highest value as found in FBW and WG. Therefore, tested probiotic may be used at a dose higher than its company recommended dose to get higher growth as well as more production for profitable H. fossilis aquaculture in Bangladesh

Keywords: Commercial probiotic, Aquaculture, Growth performance, Stinging catfish, Water quality

The research work was conducted to evaluate the effects of enzyme and protein supplementation on growth performance and hematological parameters in broiler chickens. A total of 80 (15 days old) broiler chicks were randomly divided into four groups (group A, B, C and D). Group A was considered as control, fed with commercial broiler ration, group B supplemented with protein (60% protein concentrate @ 10% with commercial ration), group C supplemented with an enzyme (Alquerzim (@ 1 g l-1 drinking water), and group D supplemented with both enzyme and protein with the same dose, respectively. The experiment was continued for the period of 21 days. Results revealed that body weights were increased significantly (p<0.05) in all groups and highest body weights were recorded in Group D. Growth rate was highest at the 1st week (15-21 days of age) of experiment than the 2nd week (22-28 days of age) and no significant increase was observed in the last week (29-35 day of age). No significant differences were observed among the groups for PCV and TEC values. Hemoglobin (g dl-1) content increased significantly (p<0.05) and ESR decreased significantly (p<0.05) in group D. Therefore, the study reveals that combined supplementation of protein and enzyme showed better result over control in respect to body weight gain, growth rate and hematological parameters. The research work was conducted to evaluate the effects of enzyme and protein supplementation on growth performance and hematological parameters in broiler chickens. A total of 80 (15 days old) broiler chicks were randomly divided into four groups (group A, B, C and D). Group A was considered as control, fed with commercial broiler ration, group B supplemented with protein (60% protein concentrate @ 10% with commercial ration), group C supplemented with an enzyme (Alquerzim (@ 1 g l-1 drinking water), and group D supplemented with both enzyme and protein with the same dose, respectively. The experiment was continued for the period of 21 days. Results revealed that body weights were increased significantly (p<0.05) in all groups and highest body weights were recorded in Group D. Growth rate was highest at the 1st week (15-21 days of age) of experiment than the 2nd week (22-28 days of age) and no significant increase was observed in the last week (29-35 day of age). No significant differences were observed among the groups for PCV and TEC values. Hemoglobin (g dl-1) content increased significantly (p<0.05) and ESR decreased significantly (p<0.05) in group D. Therefore, the study reveals that combined supplementation of protein and enzyme showed better result over control in respect to body weight gain, growth rate and hematological parameters.

Keywords: Protein, enzyme, growth performance, hematological parameters, broiler chickens

Fish cage culture allows intensive production in waterbodies without conventional preparation for aquaculture.Considering the importance and prospects of cage culture in Bangladesh, the present experiment was undertaken to study the effect of stocking density on growth performances and production potential of tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus) under cage culture conditions and to develop a suitable method of tilapia cage culture in inland open water body like Old Brahmaputra River. Three stocking densities (100, 150 and 200 fish m-3) of 2.78 g mean initial individual body weight of fingerlings in three different treatments (T-100, T-150 and T-200) each with three replicates were used. The fishes were supplied with high protein (30%) commercial feed at 10% of body weight twice daily. Water quality parameters namely transparency, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, phosphate were found within the suitable limit for fish culture.The result of the present study showed that the fish in the treatment T-150 resulted the best individual weight gain (90.72g), average daily gains (0.67 g), percent weight gains (3263%), specific growth rates (1.13%day-1) and the net production rates (13608gm-3135 days-1)followed by treatments T-100 and T-200, respectively.The net yield and growth performances showed a significant difference with increasing stocking density (P<0.01). The most effective stocking density was150 fish m−3 cage for Nile tilapia considering growth performances and production potential. Therefore, it can be concluded the growth performance of Nile tilapia is density dependent.

Keywords: Cage culture, stocking density,growth performance, production, Oreochromisniloticus