Effect of using some natural feed additives on performance of lactating goats [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Twenty-eight Damascus goats at 3-5 years old and weighing 52.96 ± 1.27 kg live body weight (LBW) at the last month of gestation were divided into four similar groups (7 goats each). The trial period was divided to suckling period (60 days) and lactation period (150 days). The first group (control) fed a basal diet (Tl) that consisted of 50"10 concentrate mixture (CM) and 50% roughages (35% fresh berseem + 15% wheat straw during suckling period or 50% berseem hay during lactation period) without additives, whereas the second, third and fourth groups (T2,n and T4) fed the basal diet supplemented with seeds of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.), caraway (Carvum carvi 0 and fenugreek (Trigonella fiJenum-graecum 0 to concentrate mixture at the rate of 100, 100 and 200 mg seeds/kg LBW/day, respectively. At the end of the lactation period, four digestibility trails were carried oUt to evaluate the experimental rations, using twelve goats averaged 57.05 ± 2.45 kg LBW (3 goats from each group). After weaning, 23 kids were used in a feeding trial and divided into four groups which fed the previous four treatments (6, 5, 5 and 7 kids in Tl, T2, T3 and T4, respectively). The results showed that the digestibility of all nutrients and nutritive values (as roN, DCP and ME) for T2 and T3 were increased (P<0.05) comparing with T1 (control). The digestibility of EE and NFE for T4 were increased (P<0.05), while CF digestibility was decreased (P<0.05) comparing with T1 (control). Also, adding FK to T4 led to increase (P<0.05) the nutritive value as TDN and ME comparing with T1 (control). All feed additives caused a significant (P<0.05) increase of albumin, while cholesterol concentration in blood serum was decreased. The results of feeding trials indicated

Summary in Arabic.

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