No abstract

his experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of using Acacia saligna leaf meal (ASLM) as a non-traditional feedstuff in Mamourah growing hens diets under desert conditions on the performance and economical efficiency of feed. One hundred eighty Mamourah growing hens 10 weeks of age were used in an experiment until 18 weeks of age. The experimental hens were randomly distributed into four equal groups, each group has 45 hens divided into three replicates with 15 hens each. The first group was received a basal diet as a control (0% ASLM) while the second, third and fourth groups were fed 4, 8 and 12% ASLM respectively. The current results showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in live body weight at 18 weeks of age with groups fed 4 and 8% ASLM compared to the other groups, while the effect of treatment was non-significant with the other ages. The best significant (P < 0.05) values of weight gain and feed conversion ratio were recorded with groups of hens fed 4% and 8% of ASLM in all periods of the experiment. There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in feed intake with increasing the level of ASLM in the diet at the experimental periods from 10 to 14 and 10 to 18 weeks of age while this effect was not significant from 14 to 18 weeks of age. The group of hens that received 12% ASLM in the diet showed the lowest performance in comparison with the other groups. On the other hand, the level of 8% ASLM resulted in the best net return, economical efficiency and relative economical efficiency percent and the least feed cost of kg gain. Data of amino acids content of ASLM showed that methionine was the first limiting essential amino acid, while lysine were the second limiting amino acids. From the nutritional and economical efficiency viewpoints, Acacia saligna leaf meal could be used successfully and safely in the formulation of a diet for Mamourah growing hens up to 8% without adversely affecting on their performance under desert conditions.

A total number of 180 Sina growing hens 10 weeks of age were used in an experiment till 18 weeks of age. The experiment aimed to study effect of feeding growing hens different levels of Atriplex nummularia leaves meal (ALM) on their performance and feed cost under South Sinai conditions. Experimental birds were divided randomly into four equal experimental treatments (45 in each treatment) and randomly divided into three equal replicates (15 hens each).The first group was fed the basal diet as a control treatment (0 % ALM), while the other three treatments were fed diets containing either 4,8 or 12 % ALM, respectively. Experimental diets were formulated to be iso-caloric (2800 kcal ME /kg diet) and iso-nitrogenous (15% crude protein), iso-fibrous (3.15%) and were formulated in granular form. The inclusion of 8% ALM showed improve in live body weight, weight gain and feed conversion ratio with .greater net return and economical efficiency in the diet compared to the other levels. while, decrease (P < 0.05) in live body weight, weight gain and feed intake with the inclusion of 12% ALM in the diet compared to the other levels, Increasing 12% ALM level in the diets significantly decreased (P<0.05) digestion coefficients of OM, CP, CF, NFE% and nutritive values expressed as DCP, TDN % and ME (kcal/kg) up to 12%. However, 12% of ALM significantly increased (P<0.05) digestion coefficient of EE. In conclusion, from the nutritional and economical efficiency stand points of view, up to 8% ALM could be recommended to be used successfully and safely when formulating diet for Sina local growing hens without adversely affecting their performance.

Twenty New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits doe of 6 months of age were randomly divided into four groups (5 does in each group). The first group was fed on the basal diet as control, while the other three groups were fed on diets containing either 15, 20 or 25% Leucaena leaf meal (LLM),respectively. Chemical composition, digestibility coefficients, productive and reproductive performance were studied. Results obtained could be summarized as follows :Number of total kits born and number of kits born alive gradually decreased with increasing LLM in the diets from 0-25%.Body weight change in does during gestation period due to incorporated LLM in the diets was tended to be in positive balance. While does body weight change during suckling period were tended to be in negative balance. Feed intake which includes feed consumption by pups before weaning, increased with increasing the level of LLM in their diets.Milk yield on feeding levels 0,15 and20% (2.42,2.20 and2.26 kg/doe) was not significantly different, but milk yield of does feeding levels 25%LLM(1.91kg/doe)were significant (P<0.05)lower than other treatments or the control group.Litter size, litter weight and litter weight gain at birth,21days and weaning age were generally tended to be lower (P<0.05) with increasing LLM in the diets. Feed conversion ratio tended to be higher (P<0.05)by doe rabbits fed LLM diets compared with the control diet.Increasing the dietary LLM resulted significant decrease in digestibility coefficients of DM,OM,CP,CF,NFE and feeding values expressed as DCP,TDN% and DE(Kcal/Kg).On the other hand EE digestibility was not affected by LLM addition.Does fed a diet contained 20%LLM decreased the cost of feed relatively to the selling price of total weaned pups and increased considerably the economical efficiency in comparison to the control and other treatment.From the nutritional and economical efficiency points of view, the leucana leaf meal could be used up to 20% in pregnant and lactating rabbit does without deleterious effect on their performance.

A total number of 24 pairs baladi adult pigeons at the 9 th month old (24 females and 24 males) and 24 pairs of squabs (which were hatched from the parents of the squabs), were used in this experiment.Pigeons and squabs were divided into 4 equal experimental groups of 12 adult pigeons (6 females and 6 males). The first group fed diet contained 11% crude protein, while the other three groups fed diets containing 13,15 and 17 % protein levels. The experimental diets were isocaloric and isofibrous.The experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of different protein levels on the performance of squabing pigeons. Results obtained could be summarized as follows:The final live body weight and body weight change during the whole experimental period decreased not significantly among the different experimental adult pigeons.There was not significant difference between groups during hatchability and incubation periods. All groups had similar values of hatchability percentage and incubation periods.Live body weight and body weight gain were significantly (P<0.05) decreased with the increasing of protein levels in the squabs diets, where the 13% protein level recorded heavier body weight than the other protein levels.Feed intake during the whole experimental period recorded significantly (P<0.05) increased with decreasing dietary crude protein level.Feed conversion ratio (g feed/g gain) became significantly worst (P<0.05) by decreasing protein levels in the squabs diets, where 11% recorded the lowest values.Protein intake recorded significantly decrease (P< 0.05) with decreasing CP level, while efficiency of protein utilization recorded significantly increase (P<0.05) with decreasing CP level.Decreasing protein levels in diets caused non significantly decreases in dressing percentage.Digestibility coefficients of CP, CF% and the nutritive values expressed as DCP, TDN % and ME kcal/kg were significantly varied (P<0.01 or P<0.05) among the different experimental diets, however, digestion coefficients of EE and NFE was not significantly influenced by the different levels of protein.The 13 % level of dietary protein showed the best net return as well as the highest value of economic efficiency among all experimental squabs groups.Based on results obtained in the present study, it could be concluded that moderate protein level 13% in the growing squab diet had no adverse effect on growth performance and carcass quality. Also moderate crude protein diet improved the net return and economic efficiency.