Feeding halophytes is a feasible solution to minimize the problem of feed shortage in arid and semiarid areas of Egypt. This work aimed to investigate the effect of feeding goats on fresh Atriplex nummularia which is grown naturally and cultivated in Sinai on performance of growing goats when added with different sources of energy supplementation (concentrate feed mixture CFM, ground barley grains or ground date stones and mixture of these materials) on nutrients digestibility, nitrogen balance, water utilization and some rumen and blood metabolites. The experiment was performed on twenty eight of growing goats (six months old) with mean body weight 16 ± 0.38 Kg were divided into four equal groups for 105 days. The diets were given at the basis of 40:60 roughage: concentrate ratio for growth requirements. The roughages were berseem hay in T1 (control group) or fresh Atriplex nummularia in T2, T3 and T4 whereas the energy supplements were concentrate feed mixture (CFM) in T1, ground date stones in T2, ground barley grains in T3 and a mixture of 50% ground barley grains with 50% ground date stones in T4. Results obtained revealed that inclusion of barley grains in T3 group improved DMI of Atriplex than that in T1, T2 and T4 groups. The highest body weight gain was recorded by animals in T1 and T3 compared to those of the other treatments. In addition Intakes of TDN and DCP were maximum in T1 and T3. The maximum apparent digestion coefficients of OM, CP, EE and NFE were recorded by animals in T3 while those of DM and CF were digested much better by animals in T1. TDN% and DCP% were increased in T1 followed by T4. All animals were in positive nitrogen balance. The maximum values of total water intakes were recorded for animals in T2 whereas the lowest values for animals in T3 with significant differences. Serum creatinine, total protein, globulin and GPT levels were not affected by diet type and they were within the normal ranges. Also, a sampling time factor was detected. Ruminal ammonia- nitrogen and total volatile fatty acids revealed significant variations before feeding and 6 hrs post feeding. The feed cost of daily gain (L.E)/ kg was achieved for animals fed ground date stone in T2 (L.E 0.860) which was lower than T4, T3 and T1 (L.E. 1.255, 1.273 and 1.290) respectively. In conclusion, barley grains or ground date stones or their mixture improved the nutrients utilization and intake of Atriplex. Utilization of such halophytic plants supplemented with non–conventional energy supplements could be recommended to enhance feed materials availability all-round year and to improve animal performance as well under arid and saline conditions of Sinai.
Key words: Salinity, halophytes, saltbush, barley grains, date stone, goats, intake, nutrients digestion.
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