No abstract

Twenty-four crossbred ram lambs (1/2 Finnish Landrace ×1/2 Rahmani) aged 3-4 months and averaged 22.25±0.93 kg live body weight were randomly divided into three treatments (8 lambs in each) according to their live body weight. The experimental period lasted 6 months from May to October 2015. Ram lambs were orally treated with 0 (control), 1 (T1) and 2 (T2) mg rocket oil (RO)/kg LBW. Growth performance, puberty and semen characteristics of ram lambs, some blood parameters and economic efficiency were estimated. The results showed that final LBW of ram lambs at puberty increased (P<0.05) in T2 and T1 as compared to control. Total weight gain increase (P<0.05) in T2 compared with control (18.22 vs.16.62 kg). Average daily gain was higher (P<0.05) in T2 than in T1 and control (161.2 vs. 125.6 and 112.3 g/d). Ram lambs of T2 expressed first ejaculate (puberty) 34.6 days earlier (P<0.05) than those in control. Scrotal circumference and testes volume increased (P<0.05) in T1 and T2 compared with in control. Semen quality (ejaculate volume, initial motility, live spermatozoa, sperm cell concentration and sperm output) was better (P<0.05) in T2 and T1 than in control. Serum total antioxidant capacity was higher (P<0.05) in T2 than in control and T1. Relative economic feed efficiency increased for T1 and T2 lambs (111 and 137%) compared with controls. It could be conclude that daily addition of 2 mg rocket oil (watercress oil)/kg live body weight of ram lambs could lead to earlier age at puberty, improvement in growth performance at puberty, higher reproductive ability and better economic feed efficiency of ram lambs.

Thirty-six Zaraibi doe goats of 3-5 years old and average live body weight (LBW) of 28.14±0.93kg were randomly distributed into three groups (12 doe goats in each) according to their LBW and reproductive status. The experimental period of does lasted for 12 months and buck treatment started two months before breeding season in September. Mating was carried out using twelve sexually mature fertile and tested bucks of 41.25±2.1 kg LBW and aged 24 months were divided into three groups receiving the same treatments of doe goats.Rocket oil (watercress oil) was received daily oral does at levels of 0, 1 and 2 mg/kg LBW for G1, G2 and G3, respectively. The results showed that the bucks in G3 showed the highest (P<0.05) scrotal circumferences (30.25 cm), followed by G2 (29.25 cm) and G1 (27.75 cm) at the end of experiment. Bucks in G3 showed the lowest (P<0.05) reaction time and abnormal sperm percentage and the highest (P<0.05) ejaculate volume, and percentages of sperm motility, and live sperm, as well as sperm concentration and total sperm output compared with G2 and G1. Fertility rate was 90, 100 and 100% for mated does and 75, 91.66 and 91.66% for all treated does in G1, G2 and G3, respectively (P<0.05). Litter size and sex ratio were the highest (P<0.05) in G3 and G2 compared with G1, while mortality rate was the lowest (P<0.05) in G3 (6.26%), followed by G2 (11.11%) and G1 (15.38%). Weaning weight, total gain and average daily gain of born kids were higher (P<0.05) in G3 than in G2 and G1. Average daily milk yield was higher (P<0.05) in G2 and G3 than in G1, being 1318 and 1426 vs. 1162 g, respectively. Percentage and yield of milk constituents were higher (P<0.05) in G2 and G3 than in G1. Only, concentration of serum albumin increased (P<0.05) with rocket oil additive as compared to G1, while the other blood parameters were insignificantly different among the experimental groups. Does in G3 showed the highest economic feed efficiency for milk production as compared to those in G2 and G1.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of treated sunflower meal with 2% condensed tannins (Quebracho tannins, QT; Unitan, Argentina) or/and Chamomile Flowers supplementation on productive performance of Zaraibi dairy goats and their offspring. A feeding trial was conducted using twenty pregnant goats at the 3 rd and 4 th parities and initial body weight 35.55 ± 0.62 kg at the last month before parturition and lasted for 90 days after parturition. Animals were divided into four similar groups (n=5does/each) using the randomized complete block design. Goats were fed concentrate feed mixture (CFM) to cover 50% of their requirements according to NRC (1985) for goats and rice straw (RS) was given by 150 g/head/day; while berseem was given at ad-libitum. Group G1 (control) received CFM contained untreated sunflower meal, while group G2 fed CFM contained untreated sunflower meal and supplemented with 0.25% Chamomile Flowers (Ch-F) and G3 fed CFM contained treated sunflower meal with 2% tannin (Quebracho) and G4 fed CFM contained treated sunflower meal with 2% tannin (Quebracho) and supplemented with 0.25% (Ch-F) on DM basis. Results indicated that digestibility of most nutrients and feeding values were significantly higher (P<0.05) with G2 than those of other groups. While, digestibility of CP was significantly higher (P<0.05) for all tested groups than that of control one. Ruminal ammonia-N and total volatile fatty acids concentrations were lower significantly (P<0.05) in G3 and G4 than G1 and G2. Daily milk yield was significantly (P<0.05) higher with G4 over the whole experimental period than that of control and insignificant higher than the other tested rations. Meantime, the improvement in 4% fat corrected milk yield being 124, 110 and 103% for G4, G3 and G2 compared to that of G1 over the whole experimental period. Milk constituent contents did not significantly affected by dietary treatments despite there were slightly increases in milk constituents with G4 ration in comparison with the other treatments. Also, feed conversion as kg DMI, TDNI or DCPI per kg milk improved for G4 in comparison of other groups. Economic efficiency of G4 recorded the best one among the experimental treatments and increased by 21.18% based on control ration (G1). Also, G4 revealed significant (P<0.05) positive effect on final weight, total and daily weight gains for kids during suckling period. No deleterious effects on liver, kidney functions and general health of animals fed the manipulated rations. It could be concluded that the protection process of sunflower meal with 2% QT and supplemented with 0.25% Chamomile Flower (G4) was more beneficially effective on Zaraibi dairy goats performance and economic efficiency.

hirty-six crossbred ewes (½ finish Landrace x ½ Rahmani) aged 3-6 years and averaged live body weight (47.3 ± 1.73 kg) were randomly divided into three groups (12 ewes in each) according to their live body weight and reproductive history. All ewes were fed the same basal ration contained (CFM 50% and fresh berseem 50% on DM basis. Rocket oil (watercress oil) was received daily at levels 0.0,1.00 and 2 mg / 10 kg LBW for G1, G2 and G3, respectively. The experimental period was lasted for 150 days consisted of 3 periods, (late pregnancy 45 days), suckling (60 days) and rest or flushing (45 days). Income ewes in mating season was also studied. The results showed that the body weight changes of ewes during the different physiological stages as affected by rocket oil treatment were significantly gradually increased. The changes were higher (P < 0.05) in G3 by about 9.8% and in G2 by about 9.2% than control (8.2%). Average 6% FCM yield was higher (P < 0.05) in G2 and G3 than G1 being 564.7 and 626.5 vs 499.5 g, respectively. Percentage and yield of milk constituents were higher (P < 0.05) in G3 and G2 than G1 expect lactose% and solid not fat%. Ewes in G3 and G2 treated with rocket oil attained the best utilization efficiency as DM, TDN and DCP compared with those in G1. Concentrations of serum total protein and albumin were increased (P < 0.05) with rocket oil additive as compared with G1. While, creatinine, AST cholesterol and triglyceride concentration in blood serum were the highest (P < 0.05) in G1 compared with G2 and G3. Meantime the other serum blood parameters (globulin, urea and ALT concentration) were insignificantly differed among the experimental groups. Ewes treated with rocket oil (G2 and G3) showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher LBW at mating fertility rate%, pregnancy rate% lambing rate%, little size and twining rate% than those of control. Meantime the other tested characteristics showed higher values in G2 and G3 than G1 but without significant differences. Weaning weight, total gain and average daily gain of born lambs along with feed conversion were higher (P < 0.05) in G3 and G2 than G1. Semen quality (ejaculate volume, initial motility, live sperm, abnormal sperm, sperm cell concentration and total sperm) of lambs were better (P < 0.05) in G3 and G2 than in control. Adding rocket oil at level 1.0 and 2.0 mg / 10 kg / L.B.W during feeding crossbred ewes lead to significant (P < 0.05) improvement in their productive and reproductive performances along with higher feed efficiency. Also growth and reproductive performance of lambs from their dams were improved.

his study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplemented diets of lactating goats by three levels (0, 10 and 30 gm/goat/day) from either dry (ungerminated; DFS) or germinated fenugreek seeds (GFS) on their productive and reproductive performance. A feeding trial was conducted using forty-five Zaraibi goats (31.2 ± 0.32 kg LBW and aged 3-4 years) at late pregnancy (two months before parturition) and postpartum periods which lasted 210 days (after parturition). The trial was continued during winter and summer seasons. Animals were divided into five similar groups (9 animals each) using the randomized complete block design. They were fed as groups on a basal ration where concentrate feed mixture (CFM) was 50% of requirements according to NRC (1981); while, roughage was offered at ad-libitum (berseem in winter and corn silage (CS) in summer). Control group (G1) fed ration without supplement while, G2 and G4 fed supplemented rations with 10 and 30g dry fenugreek seed/head/day; respectively. In addition, G3 and G5 fed supplemented rations with 10 and 30g germinated fenugreek seed/head/day; respectively. At the same time, five digestibility trials were conducted twice during experimental period in winter and another in summer season to determine the digestibility and feeding value of the experimental rations. Results indicated that germinated seeds process increased most of amino acids content in fenugreek seeds especially aspartic acid, phenylalanine and leucine. During winter and summer, feed intake and digestibility for all nutrients were significantly (P<0.05) increased by using germinated seeds with 30 g (G5) than those of the other groups. The same trend was observed with feeding values (TDN, DCP and DE). Daily milk yield was significantly increased with using level 30 g seeds as feed additive over the whole experimental period. Also, an improvement in 4% fat corrected milk yield was observed being 129, 120, 111 and 108% for G5, G4, G3 and G2 based on G1 as control (zero additives) over the 210-d experimental period. Milk fat and total solid contents were significantly higher for G5 than those of the others. While, no significant differences were observed for values of lactose and solid non-fat. There was an improvement in feed efficiency as kg produced milk per kg DMI, TDNI or DCPI for G5 (30 g germinated additive) in comparison of control and the other tested rations. So, it was reflected on economical efficiency which recorded 112% increase for G5 comparing with control 100% during experimental period. No deleterious effects on liver, kidney functions and general health of the animals those were fed the manipulated rations. Germination process with level 30 g additive fenugreek seeds had significant (P<0.05) positive effect on final weight, total gain and average daily gain for kids during suckling period. Also, it noticed that mortality rate gradually decreased with increasing additive levels or GFS versus DFS. There were essential improvement in reproductive performance of does in next mating season as estrus r...

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of inclusion fermented field (Potato vines & rice straw) and food industrial by-product (dried beet pulp & molasses) mixture (FBM) to be replacement with clover hay in dairy goats does diets and its effect on nutrient digestibility, milk yield, milk composition and some blood parameters. Eighteen lactating Zaraibi goats does, average live body weight of 40.5+ 1.5 kg at the 3 rd and 4 th parities were divided randomly into three similar groups (6 animals each), were used to receive one of 3 experimental diets. The first group was received concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and clover hay (CH) as control diet (CD). Meanwhile, second and third group received CFM and replacement (CH) with (FBM1) which composed of 65% potatoes vines (PV), 12 % dried beet pulp (DBP), 15% rice straw (RS) and 8% molasses as (TD1) group or with (FBM2) which composed of 74% potatoes vines(PV), 14% dried beet pulp (DBP), 7% rice straw (RS) and 5% molasses (on dry matter basis) as (TD2) group. The FBM based silage contained on average 41.7 & 40.5% dry matter, 12.45 & 12.83% crude protein (CP), and 55.4 & 52.6% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 44.7 & 40.8% acid detergent fiber (ADF), Ether extract 2.5 &2.2% and ash content 9.5 &10.3%, for (FBM1 & FBM2), respectively. Results showed that there were no significant differences between two fermented by-products mixtures (FBM1 and FBM2) concerning NH3-N concentration and pH value. It was also observed that there was an increase in concentration of total volatile fatty acids with mixture (FBM2) compared with (FBM1) mixture. The highest (P<0.05) digestibility of DM, CP, NDF and ADF was recorded with (TD2). The nutritive values as TDN, DCP and ME (Mcal/kg) of (TD1 &TD2) were significantly (P<0.05) improved compared with control group. While, increasing in TDN for (TD1) was significantly. The highest significantly (P<0.05) value of milk yield was recorded for group TD2 as compared with control diet (CD), but there were no significant differences between (TD1) and (TD2) group was recorded. Meanwhile, the lowest value of milk yield was recorded with control diet (CD). There were no significant differences between the tested groups concerning milk composition percentages which were almost similar among experimental groups. Also, there were no significant differences between tested groups for some blood parameters (Glucose, AST and ALT). The feeding cost / head /day was decreased by 8.8 and 10.5 % with TD1 and TD2 groups, respectively as compared with control group, leading to an improvement of economic efficiency by 32.7 and 43.6%, with TD1 and TD2 diets, respectively compared with control group. Therefore, the replacement of clover hay with fermented by-products mixtures (FBM1&FBM2) with dairy goats does diet is highly recommended in the feeding practices of goats.

hirty does of Zaraibi goats were chosen at the third and fourth season of lactation, and randomly divided into five similar groups (6 does for each) according to their live body weight (33.75 ±0.42 kg) and fed the experimental rations for 4 months (one month before parturition to 3 months after parturition) as an experimental period to investigate the effects of including rosemary or laurel herbs as natural feed additives in their rations, on digestibility, productive performance, milk production and some blood parameters of goats. Rosemary dry leaves (RDL) or laurel dry leaves (LDL) were added to the concentrate feed mixture (CFM) portion of the rations at levels of 0, 0.5, 1, 0.5 and 1% along the whole duration of the experiment. Each group was assigned randomly to feeding one of experimental rations where R1(control): received 60% CFM +40% berseem fresh (BR), R2: 60% CFM +40% BR+ 0.5% rosemary dry leaves (RDL), R3: 60% CFM +40% BR+ 1% RDL and R4: 60% CFM +40% BR+ 0.5% laurel dry leaves (LDL), R5: 60% CFM +40% BR+ 1% LDL. The feed allowances were calculated according to NRC (2007) for goats. Five digestibility trials were performed to evaluate the nutrient digestibilities and feeding values of the experimental rations. Results indicated that chemical composition of RDL and LDL were contained