EVALUATION OF SOME AGRlCULTUHAL BY- PRODUCTS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON SHEEP PERFORMANCE

Abstract

This study was carried out at Sids Research Station, Belonging to Sheep and Goats Research Department, Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Land

Reclamation.

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The main objective was to study the possible decreasing of feeding•

cost by inclusion of banana by-product instead of part of berseem hay in sheep ration. The study aimed also to identify ways of utilization of banana by-product as non- conventional feed source for ruminants. Trials to improve its nutritive value by using different chemical treatments was encountered. This study included three parts. The first part for evaluation of banana by-products (BBP = leaves and pseudostems ), using in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) and digestibility trials. The second and third parts was to study the effect of breed and

feeding untreated BBP or treated BBP with 3% urea or NaOH on digestibility, '

feeding value, milk production and composition, rumen liquor characteristics, some blood parameters and lambs performance. The second part was carried out on Ossimi and Saidi ewes. Twenty four Ossimi and twelve Saidi ewes were randomly divided into four groups according to their body weight and breed. Animals were fed on one of the four rations according to NRC ( 1985 ). Group one was considered as control and fed ( CFM + hay ) . In group two, 50% of hay was replaced by 3% urea