Utilization of supplemented desert grass by Sudan Desert goats

25 young male desert goats (Capra hircus, about 8 months old) were used for experimental purpose. Hummra, the local name for a mixture of desert grasses belonging to species Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Schoenefeldia gracilis, Eragrostis pilosa Aristida funiculate and other Aristida spp was introduced...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Ali, K.E., Mustafa, E.E.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 1984
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/67004
Descripción
Sumario:25 young male desert goats (Capra hircus, about 8 months old) were used for experimental purpose. Hummra, the local name for a mixture of desert grasses belonging to species Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Schoenefeldia gracilis, Eragrostis pilosa Aristida funiculate and other Aristida spp was introduced as a basal diet. The supplements include molasses, molasses plus minerals, urea and cotton seed cake 5 experiments were conducted on five groups of animals each matched according to body weights. No significant difference was observed in dry matter intake of goats due to supplementation of molasses or molasses plus minerals. Addition of urea or cottonseed cake caused a significant increase in dry matter intake 460±56 gm/day and 555±65gm.day, respectively, and also improved apparent dry matter digestibility (63.6 to 68.9%). Kids fed hummra alone (-0.70gm/day) or hummra plus molasses alone (-033gm/day) or molasses and minerals (-0.30gm/day) were in negative nitrogen balance, where as those receiving urea (+1.15gm/day) or cotton seed cake (+1.76 gm/day) were in positive nitrogen balance. All groups supplemented showed a loss in body weight except those given cotton seed cake. Serum urea in the groups given urea (32±9 gm/dl) or cotton seed cake (27.6±13.0gm/dl) were significantly higher (p