Effect of Feeding Discarded Dates, Palm Leaves and Its Combination on Growth Performance, Diet Digestibility, Blood Metabolites and Profitability of Ossimi Lambs.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding a formulated from local feed sources with using discarded Dates, Palm leaves and its combination on growing Ossemi male lambs growth performance, diet digestibility, blood metabolites and profitability in New Valley Governorate. Forty nine Ossimi male lambs with average body weight 24.82 kg )4-5 months of age( were divided randomly to seven groups (seven lambs per each group) were fed individually. Frist group lambs were fed the control diet (0% discarded Dates and 0% Palm leaves). The second and third group of lambs were fed an experimental diet contained 7.5 and 15% of discarded Dates, respectively; the fourth and fifth group of lambs were fed an experimental diet contained 6 and 12% of Palm leaves, respectively; the sixth group of lambs were fed an experimental diet contained 7.5 % of discarded Dates and 6% Palm leaves; the seventh group of lambs were fed an experimental diet contained 15 % of discarded Dates and 12% Palm leaves during 120 days of feeding period. All lambs in each group individually weighed to the nearest gram monthly till the end of experimental period. Animals were housed individually in clean and hygienic pens. Body weight was measured weekly and feed consumption was recorded daily. Digestibility trial was conducted and digestion coefficient was calculated for diet dry matter (DM) and nutrients. At the end of experiment, blood samples were collected for analysis. Economic efficiency (profitability) was evaluated for using discarded Dates, Palm leaves and its combination in the diet. Results showed that there were no significant differences between groups in growth performance parameters between groups. Similar findings were recorded for digestibility of DM and nutrients. Addition of discarded Dates, Palm leaves and its combination in the diets did not negatively affect blood metabolites. Economical profitability was significantly found when feeding 12% Palm leaves (T4); 15% discarded Dates and 12 % Palm leaves (T6) in the diet. It can be concluded that discarded Dates, Palm leaves and its combination can be utilized effectively in the diet without adverse effect on growth performance, digestibility blood metabolites of Ossimi lambs.