PERFORMANCE OF GOATS FED DRIED ORANGE AND CITRUS PULPS AS ENERGY SOURCES, 2–IMPACT OF ADDING PAPPERMINT TO RATIONS CONTAINING DRIED ORANGE OR CITRUS PULPS ON MILK PRODUCTION AND COMPOSITION

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt.

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the impact of adding a fixed amount of Peppermint0.5 gm / kg LBW/ day to rations containing dried orange(DOP) or citrus pulps( DCP )as energy sources on milk production, some rumen and blood parameters of Zaraibi does ( Twenty animals averaged 4 years old and weighed on average 45 kg ). The experiment was started at the last 8 weeks of gestation until three months of suckling period. The experimental rations were : R1(control ration ) consists of 50 % hay and 50 % concentrate mixture which contained 30 % yellow corn grain whileR2( positive control ration) consists of the control ration ( R1)  + 0.5 gm Peppermint / kg LBW/ day.However,50 %of corn grains in the R1was replaced with 50 % of dried orange pulp (DOP) + 0.5 gm Peppermint / kg LBW/ day ( R3) and 50 % of  dried citrus pulp (DCP) + 0.5 gm Peppermint / kg LBW/ day ( R4) . At the end of the experiment the economic efficiency was calculated. The Results could be summarized as follows: Feeding goats on rations contained dried orange or citrus pulps+ 0.5 gm Peppermint / kg LBW/ day increased nutrients digestibility (CF,CP, EE and NFE) and nutritive values (TDN and DCP) compared to control ration. Dried orange or citrus pulp+ 0.5 gm Peppermint / kg LBW/ day decreased plasma total lipids and cholesterol concentrations, while total plasma protein and globulin were significantly (P<0.05) increased compared to the control group. Also, improved total milk yield and feed efficiency in all supplemented groups. It could be recommended that adding 0.5 gm Peppermint / kg LBW/ day on dried orange or citrus pulps (Oranges, tangerines, lemons) can safely used to replace a part of the energy sources such as corn grain in rations at 50 % in goats ration to reduce the feeding cost and improving the performance of milk production of goats.

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