Effect of the natural additives on the productive performance of lactating goats [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets supplemented with the medicinal herbs (black cumin and chamomile) on the digestion coefficients. blood parameters and milk production of goats. Fifteen lactating Zaraibi goats were assigned randomly to three equal groups (five animals each). The first group (G 1) was fed un-supplemen,ed basal diet. The second and third groups [(G2) & (G3)] were fed 'he basal die' supplemented with black cumin and chamomile as 100 and150 mg/kg body weight (BW), respectively. The basal diet consisted of berseem hay (BH) and concentrate feed mixture (CFM) representing 50 and 50 % of the total ration (on dry matter basis). The experimental period extended from one week post partum until the fourth month of lactation. The obtained results illustrated that black cumin and chamomile addition (02 & G3) significantly (P≤0.05) improved the digestibility of nutrients and the nutritive value compared with control diet (Gl). Significant (P≤0.05) increases have been observed in the milk production up to 13.52 & 23.08% and in milk fat yield up to 19.50 & 28.04% for black cumin and chamomile goats, respectively compared with the control goats. Furthennore, goats in groups (G2) & (G3) had significant increases (P ≤ 0.05) in plasma glucose, while, had significant (P≤0.05) decreases in urea-nitrogen compared with goats in G1. The study concluded that chamomile had the significant superiority (P≤0.05) in improving milk as yield and milk contents..

Summary in Arabic.

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