USING BROCCOLI PLANT WASTES IN SHEEP RATIONS

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of inclusion different levels of broccoli wastes in lamb rations on their productive performance, nutrient digestibility, feeding value, physiological and hematological parameters, rumen fermentation and also the economical efficiency.Twenty four growing male crossbred lambs (50% Finland+50% Rahmani)  aged 3 months after weaning with averaged live body weight (LBW) 16.80 ±0.82 kg were randomly assigned into three similar groups (8 lambs each) using randomized complete block design. Three experimental diets were formulated as the first group was served as (control) (R0) and fed the concentrate feed mixture (CFM) according to recommendations of NRC (1989) plus the rouphage portion that consisted of 50% berssem hay and 50% wheat straw, while the diets of the second (R1) and third (R2) groups were including broccoli waste at 20 or 40% levels in replacing to berssem hay, respectively. Results of digestibility coefficients, showed no significant effect due to experimental treatments was noticed for digestion coefficients of DM, OM, CF and EE. The digestibility of CP and NFE and subsequently feeding values in terms of TDN and DCP were almostly significant higher with tested rations than control one. Final live body weight and daily weight gain were increased (P<0.05) significantly with increasing broccoli by-product levels. Lambs fed diets containing broccoli by-product rations led to an increases (P<0.05) significantly the TDNI compared with those fed the control diet. However, the best (P<0.05) feed conversion expressed as (DMI) and (TDNI) was occurred with R2, while the poorest one was found with the control one (R0). Lambs in R2 showed significantly the highest (P<0.05) concentrations of total protein, albumin and Triglyceride, and those in R1 recorded the highest globulin, creatinine and cholesterol, while those in R1 and R2 had the highest AST and ALT activity compared with the (control) one R0. The concentration of urea was not significantly affected by treatments. Rumen pH value and Total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) concentration were increased (P<0.05) and concentration of NH3-N was decreased (P<0.05) with increasing broccoli by-product. Lambs in R2 showed the highest value of price of daily gain, economical efficiency and relative economic efficiency as well as the lowest value of average daily feed costcompared with R0 (control) one. Haematological characteristics including RBCs, WBCs and others were also investigated.