Performance of growing barki lambs fed rations containing olive cake / Elham Abdelbaset Ibrahim ; Supervised Mohamed Sayed Farghaly , Wafaa Mostafa Ali Ghoneem

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Agriculture - Department of Animal Production

This study was carried out at the Experimental and Research Station, Sheep and Goat Research Unit and animal nutrition branch labs of Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the partial replacement of the clover hay in the ration by mechanically treated olive cake (OC) by milling and screening, with or without adding polyethylene glycol (PEG), on productive performance of growing lambs. Thirty-five Barki lambs averaged 34±0.5 kg body weight and 9 months old were divided into 5 groups in 90 days growth trial, where groups fed on the tested rations. R1 (control ration): 70% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) +30% clover hay. OC replaced one-third and two-thirds of clover hay (10 or 20% of TMR), with addition of PEG in R2 and R4, or without addition PEG in R3 and R5. The results showed a variant decrease in the digestion coefficients of dry matter, organic matter and crude fibers, with comparable results of crude protein and nitrogen-free extract digestibility. However, there was an increase in ether extract digestibility. There were no significant differences among groups in nutritive values (TDN and DCP), daily body weight gain, daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. There was no negative effect on rumen physiology and function (rumen parameters) and on animal health (blood parameters). We can conclude from the previous results, the possibility of partial substitution of clover hay by olive cake without any negative impact on the productive performance, physiology and health of animals, with achieving better economic efficiency by reducing feeding costs

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