Efficacy of feeding Taramira seed and introduction of poultry birds in animals shed to control tick infestation on buffalo under field conditions

Abstract

An on-farm trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of feeding Taramira (Eruca sativa) seed and introduction of poultry birds in animals shed to control ticks infestation on dairy animals under field conditions. Buffalo (45) reared under farmer’s field were randomly selected and distributed equally into three groups, i.e. T1 (control), T2 (Application of Amitraz on animal body (250 ppm) along with shed treatment with Malathiaon (5000 ppm)) and T3 (feeding of Taramira seed @ 70 g/day/animal and introduction of poultry birds in animals shed). The results of the study revealed that T2 showed a sudden decrease in the tick infestation within 15 days of intervention. However, T3 group depicted a subsequent reduction in the ticks’ infestation from day 0 to the 60th day of the treatment compared to the control. The animal bodies showed no tick infestation on the 60th day of the treatment in T group, whereas, the control showed a significant increase in the ticks’ infestation in all the regions with the passing of days. Based on the study, it was concluded that the feeding of Taramira seed and introduction of poultry birds in animals shed were able to reduce the tick load by 95%. This eco- friendly technology can be used by the dairy farmers at their dairy farm, as tick control is of utmost priority for the betterment of the health, production and productivity of buffalo.

Keywords

• Buffalo, Feeding, Poultry birds, Taramira, Tick infestation