EFFECT OF USING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DRY OR GERMINATED FENUGREEK SEEDS ON PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY ZARAIBI GOATS

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplemented diets of lactating goats by three levels (0, 10 and 30 gm/goat/day) from either dry (ungerminated; DFS) or germinated fenugreek seeds (GFS) on their productive and reproductive performance. A feeding trial was conducted using forty-five Zaraibi goats (31.2 ± 0.32 kg LBW and aged 3-4 years) at late pregnancy (two months before parturition) and postpartum periods which lasted 210 days (after parturition). The trial was continued during winter and summer seasons. Animals were divided into five similar groups (9 animals each) using the randomized complete block design. They were fed as groups on a basal ration where concentrate feed mixture (CFM) was 50% of requirements according to NRC (1981); while, roughage was offered at ad-libitum (berseem in winter and corn silage (CS) in summer). Control group (G1) fed ration without supplement while, G2 and G4 fed supplemented rations with 10 and 30g dry fenugreek seed/head/day; respectively. In addition, G3 and G5 fed supplemented rations with 10 and 30g germinated fenugreek seed/head/day; respectively. At the same time, five digestibility trials were conducted twice during experimental period in winter and another in summer season to determine the digestibility and feeding value of the experimental rations. Results indicated that germinated seeds process increased most of amino acids content in fenugreek seeds especially aspartic acid, phenylalanine and leucine. During winter and summer, feed intake and digestibility for all nutrients were significantly (P<0.05) increased by using germinated seeds with 30 g (G5) than those of the other groups. The same trend was observed with feeding values (TDN, DCP and DE). Daily milk yield was significantly increased with using level 30 g seeds as feed additive over the whole experimental period. Also, an improvement in 4% fat corrected milk yield was observed being 129, 120, 111 and 108% for G5, G4, G3 and G2 based on G1 as control (zero additives) over the 210-d experimental period. Milk fat and total solid contents were significantly higher for G5 than those of the others. While, no significant differences were observed for values of lactose and solid non-fat. There was an improvement in feed efficiency as kg produced milk per kg DMI, TDNI or DCPI for G5 (30 g germinated additive) in comparison of control and the other tested rations. So, it was reflected on economical efficiency which recorded 112% increase for G5 comparing with control 100% during experimental period. No deleterious effects on liver, kidney functions and general health of the animals those were fed the manipulated rations. Germination process with level 30 g additive fenugreek seeds had significant (P<0.05) positive effect on final weight, total gain and average daily gain for kids during suckling period. Also, it noticed that mortality rate gradually decreased with increasing additive levels or GFS versus DFS. There were essential improvement in reproductive performance of does in next mating season as estrus rate (%), fertility rate and prolificacy traits. It was concluded that using germinated fenugreek seed as feed additive with 30 gm/head/day was more effective in lactating goats where it can pronounced enhance feed intake, digestibility, feeding values, milk production, feed efficiency, some blood parameters, economic efficiency, kids performance, decrease kids mortality rate and improve reproductive performance for goats in next mating season.