Crossbreeding in dairy cattle with exotic breeds continues to be an appealing practice to the dairy farmers of Bangladesh. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the impact of crossbreeding on both the physical attributes and milk quality traits of crossbred cattle in Bangladesh. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of crossbreeding Bangladeshi local cattle with the exotic Holstein breed on their body characteristics and milk quality. To achieve the goal, data pertaining to body traits and milk samples were gathered from a total of 981 cows from 19 dairy farms located in the northwestern region of Bangladesh. A trained evaluator measured body condition score (BCS), udder score, locomotion score, and body conformation traits. Milk yield information was acquired from official records, while milk composition details were determined through milk analysis. Notably, crossbred cows (Holstein × Local cattle) exhibited greater values for wither height (141 vs. 135, cm), body length (157 vs. 153, cm), heart girth (211 vs. 204, cm), BCS (3.69 vs. 3.27), and udder score (3.29 vs. 2.08) than their Bangladeshi local counterparts. Furthermore, crossbred cows produced 42.4% and 35.3% more milk (10.89 vs. 7.65, kg/d) and fat-corrected milk (10.35 vs. 7.54, kg/d) than Bangladeshi local cattle. However, milk from crossbred cows displayed lower fat and protein content, although their somatic cell score (SCS) and energy-corrected milk remained similar. Additionally, milk from crossbred cows exhibited a longer coagulation time when compared to that of Bangladeshi local cattle. In conclusion, crossbred cows (Holstein × Local cattle) had improved body characteristics with greater milk yield than Bangladeshi local cattle; however, lower fat and protein contents in milk with longer coagulation time were noted.

The aim of the study was to describe the scenario of the present condition of production and management system of dairy buffalo at Haor areas of Sylhet in Bangladesh. Data were collected between February 2019 and January 2020. Sixty dairy farmers and thirty indigenous dairy buffaloes were selected for the study purpose. All respondent farmers were male and 65% were in between 40 to 50 years of age. Parity number had a significant relation in response of body weight. Quality analysis of milk showed that buffaloes which were reared at Haor areas have more fat content on an average 7.88% than buffaloes which were reared conventional dairy farm containing 7.34%. Price of buffalo’s milk and meat were varied with the seasonal changes, lower in winter season. All farmers fed the buffaloes only with green grass in winter. Four major diseases of buffaloes were found in Haor areas where the percentage of foot and mouth diseases was 15.59% followed by black quarter (11.01%), anthrax (7.34%) and hemorrhagic septicemia (6.42%). The buffaloes were not dewormed so parasitic infestations dramatically increased and easily transferred from one to another. The farmers had not enough knowledge about regular vaccination. But in contrast with profitability, total benefit cost ratio from buffalo rearing was 1:1.56 annually.

Chickens are often transported for a long distance under overcrowded conditions for human consumption, which affects their welfare, health, and even meat quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the interaction effects of transport distance (60 vs. 80 km), stocking density (0.65, 0.86, and 1.30 ft²/bird), and lairage duration (0 vs. 3 hours) on physiological, haemato-biochemical, microbial, carcass, and meat quality characteristics. A total of 324 broilers was used in a 2 × 3 × 2 factorial arrangement, with truck as the experimental unit, and linear mixed models were employed for data analysis. Higher transportation distance and more space allowance were responsible for more body weight loss during transportation (p < 0.05). Significant distance × density interactions were found for white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), corticosterone, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p < 0.05). Birds transported over 80 km had higher WBC, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H: L), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glucose compared to those birds transported over 60 km (p < 0.05). The interactions between distance and lairage on triglyceride and AST indicated partial physiological recovery after 3-hour lairage (p < 0.05). The density-lairage interactions for corticosterone, triglyceride, and RBC were significant (p < 0.05). Prolonged transportation distance increased pathogenic bacterial load (log₁₀ CFU/g) and had a negative effect on meat quality characteristics, including cooking loss of thigh muscle and early postmortem pH of breast muscle (p < 0.05). Overall, extended transportation increased physiological stress and microbes, whereas increased space and lairage reduced many of the adverse effects. The study demonstrated the need to improve transportation techniques to enhance broiler welfare and meat quality.

This study investigates the influence of dietary spirulina (SP) on growth performance, egg production, egg quality, fatty acid profile, and hemato-biochemical profile of guinea fowl. A Total of 120 guinea fowl (GF) at 12 weeks of age were randomly allocated into four groups with five replicates (male-female ratio = 2:4). Animals were provided with four different diets over the 12-30 week trial: a corn-based basal diet for the control group (T₀) and basal diets with 1 % (T₁), 2 % (T₂), and 3 % (T₃) SP for the other three groups. Growth and egg production were measured weekly. The physical parameters of the egg were examined at the 24th, 27th^, and 30th weeks, and the fatty acid profiles were assessed at the end of the experiment. Final body weight and weight of the 1st laid eggs were significantly higher in T₁ and T₂ groups, where FCR was significantly improved in the T2 group compared to the control (P < 0.05). Egg weight was significantly increased in T₁ and T₂ group and shell thickness improved (P < 0.05) in all SP-treated groups at 27th and 30th weeks, where the Haugh unit was lower in T₂ compared to control at 27th and 30th weeks. Egg yolk color was significantly higher at 2 % and 3 % SP at 27th week and all SP-treated groups at 30th week. Groups T₂ and T₃ revealed an increase in serum albumin (P = 0.001). In group T₂, serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) has increased significantly, and total serum cholesterol decreased (P < 0.05). Monounsaturated fatty acids increased significantly, whereas the omega-6/omega-3 ratio decreased in T₂. Polyunsaturated fatty acids significantly increased in both T₁ and T₂ groups compared to the control. The atherogenic index decreased in T2, and the thrombogenic index decreased in all SP-treated groups compared with the control. In conclusion, supplementation of 2 % SP with the basal diet made optimal improvements in growth performance, biochemical profile, egg physical quality, and fatty acid profile of guinea fowl eggs.

Crossbreeding in dairy cattle with exotic breeds continues to be an appealing practice to the dairy farmers of Bangladesh. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the impact of crossbreeding on both the physical attributes and milk quality traits of crossbred cattle in Bangladesh. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of crossbreeding Bangladeshi local cattle with the exotic Holstein breed on their body characteristics and milk quality. To achieve the goal, data pertaining to body traits and milk samples were gathered from a total of 981 cows from 19 dairy farms located in the northwestern region of Bangladesh. A trained evaluator measured body condition score (BCS), udder score, locomotion score, and body conformation traits. Milk yield information was acquired from official records, while milk composition details were determined through milk analysis. The average measurements for body traits were as follows: wither height (WH) at 138 cm, body length (BL) at 155 cm, and heart girth (HG) at 203 cm. Notably, crossbred cows (Holstein x Local cattle) exhibited greater values for WH, BL, HG, BCS, and udder score than their Bangladeshi local counterparts. Furthermore, the average daily milk yield of sampled cows was recorded at 8.7 kg, with fat and protein contents of 3.78% and 3.67%, respectively. It is worth noting that crossbred cows produced a higher volume of milk compared to Bangladeshi local cattle. However, milk from crossbred cows displayed lower fat and protein content, although their somatic cell score (SCS) remained similar. Additionally, milk from crossbred cows exhibited a longer coagulation time when compared to that of Bangladeshi local cattle. A more comprehensive assessment of the crossbreeding scheme, particularly in comparison to Holstein, would necessitate further research, including an examination of its impact on cheese yield traits, health, fertility, and longevity.