Evaluation of discarded dates on the performance of Libyan local goats

• I.A Shrdh

  Animal production department, Faculty of agriculture, Omar Al-Mukhtar University

  Author

• S.A Amaizik

  Animal production department, Faculty of agriculture, Omar Al-Mukhtar University

  Author

• I.S. Milad

  Animal production department, Faculty of agriculture, Omar Al-Mukhtar University

  Author

This study was carried out in the experimental station of Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, El-Beida-Libya, during winter season 2013/2014 to investigate the effect of replacing 10 or 20% of the concentrate mixture with corresponding percentages of discarded dates on the performance of local growing male goats.

Fifteen male goats (3-4 months old) with average body weight of 11.6 ± 0.47 kg were randomly allocated equally into 3 groups. A growth trial lasted 90 days preceded with 14 days of adaptation period. Digestibility trial was conducted with 9 animals (3/treatment) after the culmination of the growth trial. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein for biochemical measurements.

Chemical analysis indicated that, discarded dates contain 3.97%, 4.35%, 11.24%, 70.1% and 10.39% of CP, CFat, CFiber, NFE, and Ash, respectively.Total and daily gain were increased (P<0.05) in group 10% compared to control and 20% groups. No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in the final weights and consumption of concentrate feed. Total daily feed consumption was lower (P<0.05) in control group in compared with 10% or 20% groups. Daily roughage consumption was increased (P<0.05) with increasing discarded dates in diets. Feed conversion rate and performance index were better (P<0.05) in 10% group in comparison with 20% group.

Digestibility coefficient of crude fat was increased (P<0.05) in group 20% compared with control group. Blood serum total cholesterol was decreased (P>0.05) with increasing replacement of discarded dates.

The replacement of 10% of discarded dates in diets of Libyan local goats was better in growth performance, and with increasing the replacement percent, digestibility of crude fat and consumption of roughages were increased.

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