EFFECT OF PARTIAL OR COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF CLOVER HAY BY CHAMOMILE CAKE ON DIGESTIBILITY, RUMEN FERMENTATION AND PERFORMANCE OF EWES AND THEIR OFFSPRINGS.

Mohamed,, A. H.; EI-Amary, Hanna; Ibrahim, K.

doi:10.21608/jappmu.2004.239146

EFFECT OF PARTIAL OR COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF CLOVER HAY BY CHAMOMILE CAKE ON DIGESTIBILITY, RUMEN FERMENTATION AND PERFORMANCE OF EWES AND THEIR OFFSPRINGS.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.

10.21608/jappmu.2004.239146

Abstract

Thirty·two ewes belore lambing averaged 45.3 kg live body weight ( LBW) and
aged 3·4 years were divided randomly into four similar groups, The control olet (01)
coosisted of concentrate feed mixture ( CFM ) oersesm hay ( BH ) and wheat straw.
whereas Ihe tested groups(02, 03,04 )anlmals received the same CFM, while the BH
was substituted either by 30,65 or 100% with chamomile cake (CC) for 02,03 and
04, respectively. Arlimals were f€{j according to NRC ( 1989) allowances for sheep.
Four digestibility trials were conducted each with three malure rams 10 evaluate the
nutritive value of the experimental diets and thalr effect on digestion coefficients,
some rumen Ikluor parameters wers also studied .
Results showed thai the digestibility coefficients 01 CP . NDF, hemicellulose,
NFE and nuttilivs values (TON. ME, and OCP) lor 02 and 03 groups were
significantly (P<0.05) improved as compared with the 01 group (controt). Meanwhile
propionic acid was significal'lt1y Increased with animals led 02 diets as compared with
the control diel, whereas butyric acid was decreased. A.s a result to the significant
improvement 01 digestibility and nutritive value of 02 and 03 groups, average r;jally
milk yield (ADMY)' and total milk yield (TMY) were slgnincan!.ly (P<0.05) higher as
compared wilh the control group. AiS{), the average dally gain (ADG) lor offspring 01
02 and 03 groups during the period from birth up to weaning were slgnifiC3(\tly
improved as compared with 01 group, which reflects the lrnorovernent In (ADM¥)
for 02 and 03 groups than 01 group. Mor&Over, average dally feed cost decreased
by 9.10, 19.1 and 30.0% lor 02,03 and D4, respecbvety as compared with control
diet. teading to decreased lee<! cost /kg milk by 29.80, 30,53 and 37.02%, for D2 ,
OJ and 04 , respectively than 0' group ( control). In condusion. the CC could be
successruuv and econornically substitute 30 or 65% 01 berseern hay In ewes dlets.

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