MADRAS VETERINARY COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF POULTRY SCIENCE

Genesis

The Department of Poultry Science was started in the year 1970. Previously, in the early fifties, the services of education, research and extension on poultry farming had been extended by the Department of Animal Husbandry of Madras Veterinary College. Later, in the early sixties, the Department of Animal Hygiene catered these services. During this time the concept of intensive poultry farming gained momentum in Madras and subsequently in other districts of the State. To cater the needs of newly erupted industry, the Government of Tamil Nadu has created a separate Poultry Science Department in the year 1970. Since its inception, MVSc degree programme in Poultry Production and Science was offered at this Department and this Department became one of the first few departments of veterinary colleges in the country to offer the Masters’ degree programme in Poultry Science. Later the PhD degree programme was started in the year 1977. At present, the Department works hands in hands with Poultry Research Station of the University to meet the needs of students pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degree programmes in TANUVAS.

Mission

The Department is a constituent unit of Madras Veterinary College involved in teaching, training and research towards productivity enhancement from poultry farming.

Vision

The Department aims to develop technologies for enhancement of profit margin among the poultry farmers of the State.

Objectives

Equipping veterinary graduates and postgraduates with recent concepts of poultry production by quality teaching and training in the area of Poultry Science.
Taking up need based modern research to benefit the farming community
Turning veterinary graduates and farmers into entrepreneurs

Education

Undergraduate teaching

Undergraduate courses are being offered since 1978. Under the present VCI curriculum (MSVE, 2016), the units 6 & 7 of Livestock Production Management course are being offered by the Department.

Postgraduate teaching

Since inception, 114 postgraduates and 46 doctorates were produced from this Department. Nine MVSc and six PhD courses in the discipline of Poultry Science are being offered by this Department.

Research

In association with Poultry Research Station (PRS), this department has implemented 67 externally funded research projects so far. The following are some of the major completed projects.

Research Projects Completed

All India Coordinated Research Project on Poultry for Meat funded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Duck Breeding Scheme funded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Lighting Requirement of Poultry funded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Transfer of Technology on Broilers funded by Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India
Transfer of Technology on Layers funded by Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India
Private Sector Partnerships in Poultry Production and Marketing in India funded by FAO
Agroforestry Products in Livestock and Poultry Feeds funded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Broiler Housing and Management funded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Tenderisation of Spent Chicken Meat funded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Establishment of Rural Poultry Inputs and Skill Development Centre funded by National Agriculture Development Project
Validating the efficacy of Nano-silver (Ag NP-124) funded by Dhanvantari Nano Ayushadi Pvt. Ltd., Chennai
Validating the Efficacy of Alquermold Natural® funded by Biovet SA, Spain

Ongoing Research Projects

Experiential Learning for B.V.Sc students on ‘Module: III – Broiler and Layer Production - Broiler Production in Environmentally controlled House and Post-Harvest Technology’ funded by ICAR (Budget Rs. 50.00 lakhs)
Establishment of Resource Centre for Indigenous Siruvidai Chicken of Tamil Nadu funded by NADP (Budget: Rs. 151.75 lakhs)

Current Focus on Research

Phenotypic and molecular characterization and genetic improvement of indigenous chicken and ducks
Genomics of disease resistance and tropical adaptability of indigenous chicken and ducks
In-ovo and early-chick nutrition to improve productivity in chicken
Application of nanotechnology in poultry feeding
Nutrigenomic and transcriptomic studies

Extension

Capacity Building Programmes are being organized to poultry farmers and entrepreneurs regularly. So far, 1910 entrepreneurs/ farmers benefitted from these programmes.

Seminar/ Workshop/ Trainings / Conferences organised

1983 - Indian Poultry Science Association Conference (IPSACON)
1996 - National Poultry Symposium
2000 - Indian Poultry Science Association Conference (IPSACON)
2004 - ICAR Winter School on ‘Production of Organic and Functional Eggs and Meats and preservation of poultry fast foods at room temperature’
2010 – National Seminar on ‘Emerging opportunities in alternate farming systems’
2010 – XXVII Annual Conference and National Symposium of Indian Poultry Science Association (IPSACON)
2020 - International Webinar on ‘Current status and future scope (post-COVID) of poultry industry with special reference to ratites (ostrich)’

Diagnostic services offered

Identification of helminthes, arthropods and protozoan parasites of Veterinary and Medical importance
Forensic Entomology service for medico and veterolegal cases
Diagnosis of hydatidosis in human beings and animals by Latex agglutination test
Regular screening of clinical samples from University farms, State government farms for epg and anthelmintic resistance assessment
PCR based diagnosis of haemoparasitic diseases of small and large animals
Regular screening of police dogs for presence of helminthes
Morphological identification of ticks at genus and species level

Laboratory Facilities

UG Laboratory:

Equipped with a smart class room and equipment for demonstration and to conduct practical classes

PG Laboratory:

Genetics and Genomics Laboratory	Nutrition and Physiology Laboratory	Post-harvest Technology Laboratory
PCR Machine	UV-vis Spectrophotometer	Bowl Chopper
Refrigerated Micro –centrifuge	Equipments for proximate analysis	Poultry Portioning Machine
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis and Gel Documentation System	Planetary Mixer
Laminar Air Flow, Autoclave, Incubators, Deep Freezer and other minor equipments	Meat Mincer

Mini Hatchery Unit (capacity 1000 eggs)

Experimental Houses (2)

Environmentally controlled deep litter poultry shed for conducting experimental trials using 500 broilers
Experimental poultry shed in the hostel premises to conduct biological trials with 700 broilers or 400 layers in deep litter and 500 Japanese quails in cages.

Faculty

Dr. Richard Churchil, PhD, Professor and Head
Dr. A. Ashok, PhD, Professor
Dr. P. Muthusamy, PhD, Associate Professor
Dr. N. Karthikeyan, PhD, Assistant Professor

The Professor and Head,
Department of Poultry Science,
Madras Veterinary College, Chennai – 600 007.
Phone: +91-44-25304000
E-mail: hodpscmvc@tanuvas.org.in