Eighteen 4-month-old lambs, with a mean live weight (LW) of 19.47 ± 0.20 kg, were used to evaluate the nutritive value of date palm leaves (DPL) ensiled with different additives in a completely randomized design. Lambs were stratified into three groups of 6 lambs each and fed a control diet comprising 60% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and 40% DPL silage (T1). In other treatments, the DPL silage (DPLS) of the control treatment was replaced with EM1 additive-treated DPLS (T2) or El-Mofeed additive-treated DPLS (T3). Apparent digestibility, total digestible nutrient, digestible crude protein, dry matter intake, daily weight gain (DWG), price of DWG, daily profit, and economics of feed efficiency were higher (P < 0.05) for the additives-treated DPLS relative to the control, with T2 enhancing these parameters compared with T3. With exception of ruminal pH, which was reduced, concentrations of ruminal NH3-N and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) increased 4 h post feeding. However, ruminal NH3-N and total VFA were greater (P < 0.05) for the additives-treated DPLS, with T2 producing higher values than T3. Ruminal pH and feed cost/kg LW gain were lower for T2 relative to other treatments. Blood constituents were within the normal ranges for lambs, though slightly altered by treatments. Whereas serum total protein, albumin, and globulin were affected (P < 0.05) in this rank order, T1 < T3 < T2, other serum parameters were not affected. Relative feed cost and relative daily profit were lower and higher respectively for T2 than for T3. It is concluded that additives-treated DPLS is nutritionally superior to untreated DPLS as a roughage source in total mixed rations fed to growing lambs. However, for improved performance of the lambs and economic benefits, EM1-treated DPLS is recommended.
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.
he present work was conducted to study the effect of replacement corn silage (CS) by orange waste silage (OR) improved the performance of Barki lambs using one of the following rations: R1: 50% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) + 40% corn silage (CS) + 10% rice straw (RS) (control). R2: 50% CFM + 20% CS + 20% orange waste silage (OS) + 10% RS and R3: 50% CFM + 40% OS + 10% RS. Two experimental trials were conducted: Results showed the silages had good smell and were free from any signs of molds in all groups. Digestibility trial was conducted using nine mature local Barki breed rams were divided in three groups (3 animals each) weighting with average body weight 57 kg ± 1.5 kg and 3 years old. R3 recorded (P<0.05) the highest digestibility coefficients for all nutrients and nutritive value than others and the results showed a significant improvement (P<0.05) in digestibility coefficients of NDF, ADF and cellulose in R3 than others. Results showed insignificant differences (P>0.05) among the three tested groups in all blood parameters. Eighteen Barki lambs with average body weight 21.00 ± 0.20 kg/head were used. Lambs were divided into three groups (6 animals each) and fed the three respective rations with the same regime of feeding the experimental lasted for month. R3 recorded the highest value of average daily gain compared with R2 and R1. Also, R3 recorded the best value of feed conversion (6.24) followed by the R2 (6.52) than the control (7.03). It was concluded that corn silage by orange waste silage to rations of growing Barki lambs could improve their performance especially replacement of 100% corn silage by orange waste silage (R3).
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