his experiment was conducted at Ras Sudr Research Station belonging to Desert Research Center to elucidate the effect of feeding salt tolerant plants (Atriplex nummularia, Fodder beet, Pearl millet) silage (STPS) on productive performance of male Barki sheep under arid and salinity conditions of Southern Sinai, Egypt. Sixteen male Barki sheep (31.42 ±1.79 kg and 4 months age) were randomly divided into two equal groups (8 each). The first group (control) was fed 40% berseem hay (BH) from total ration and served as control. The second group (STPS) was fed ad liptum salt tolerant plants silage (Atriplex nummularia 50%, Fodder beet 35% and Pearl millet 10%) and the final mixture was sprayed with 5% molasses. All experimental lambs were fed concentrate feed mixture (CFM) as 60% percentage for total rations according to nutrient requirements. Results revealed that wide variations in chemical composition of the experimental roughages. It can be seen that STPS have lower contents of Dry matter (DM), Organic matter (OM), Crude protein (CP), Natural detergent fiber (NDF), Acid detergent fiber (ADF), than BH. However, STPS was higher than BH in ash content. Voluntary feed intake showed not significant differences between the two experimental groups of total and CFM intake. However, STPS group had lower (P< 0.05) roughage intake than control group. Animals fed STPS had higher (P<0.05) crude protein digestibility than the control group. Moreover, there were not significant differences between the two experimental groups of DM, CF, NDF and ADF digestibility. Feeding STPS lowered (P<0.05) free drinking, fecal, urinary and total water execration than control group. Ruminal parameters declared that, there were no significant (P< 0.05) differences in pH values, ammonia nitrogen concentration and total volatile fatty acids concentrations. Commonly, all ruminal parameters in the present study were within normal range of sheep. Blood biochemistry parameters showed significant (P<0.05) increase only for total proteins in control group compared to STPS group. Vastly, all values of blood biochemistry were within the normal ranges. Results of blood picture parameters except for WBC's (significantly decreased for STPS group) were not affected (P< 0.05) by the experimental rations fed to lambs. Weights of fattened lambs are didn't appear any significant (P<0.05) differences between groups. On the other hand, the cheapest price of roughage for STPS group reflected positively on economical evaluation than that resulted by BH. It could be concluded that feeding salt tolerant plants silage without serious nutritional hazards, would be an avenue to overcome the problem of feedstuff shortage prevailed under arid and salinity conditions of Sinai, Egypt.

Present study aimed to evaluate the impacts of probiotic mixtures as a biological feed additive on the reproductive and productive performance of Barki ewes under desert conditions. A total number of 100 Barki ewes were randomly assigned and divided into five equal groups (20 each) to evaluate the effect of different levels and forms of biological additives mixtures on Barki ewes productivity. The first mixture of probiotic added as liquid forms (Mixture Probiotic Liquid, MPL), while the second added as powder forms (Mixture Probiotic Powder, MPP). The two forms of enzymes used at two levels (6 and 10ml or g/h/d). The two additives formed of exogenous enzymes and obtained through an anaerobic fermentation process of Ruminococcus flavefaciens. The results indicated that feed intake was higher in MPL and MPP treated groups compared to control group. During pregnancy and lactation stages, MPL and MPP groups recorded significantly increase in ewes body weight. The conception and lambing rates were tended to differ between groups, but the number of lambs born alive was significantly higher in MPP groups [19 lambs for group 2 (G2) and 18 lambs for group 3 (G3)] followed by MPL groups (16 and 18 lambs for group 4 (G4) and group 5 (G5), respectively), while the control group recorded 18 lambs. The mortality rate from birth to weaning decreased (P<0.05) in treated groups with 5%, 5%, 0% and 5% for G2, G3, G4 and G5, respectively, while the mortality rate increased (P<0.05) by 11% in control group. The milk yield tended to increase in MPP then MPL groups. The birth and weaning weights as well as average daily gain increased (P<0.05) in MPL and MPP groups. Thyroid hormones T 3 and T 4 concentrations increased (P<0.05) with enzymes mixtures supplementations. In conclusion, under the semi-arid conditions, supplementation of exogenous enzyme preparations of MPL and MPP to sheep rations, may improve weaning weight and daily gain of lambs as much as live body weight and milk production of ewes.

his experiment was carried out at Research Station of Maryout belonging to Desert Research Center to assess the effect of ginger forms (Zingiber officinale) on productive performance, rumen and blood parameters of Barki ewes. Forty Barki ewes at last pregnant stage, aged 3-4 year and average weighed 40.47 kg ± 0.99, were fed concentrate mixture and alfalfa hay (as traditional ration) and divided into four equal groups. 1 st group (T1) fed traditional ration without any supplementation as control group, the 2 nd (T2) and 3 rd (T3) groups fed control ration with 3 or 6 gm. Ginger powder (GP)/head/day, respectively. The 4 st (T4) fed control ration plus 2 ml/head/days of ginger oil (GO). Rations offered were adjusted according to ewe's weight and nutrient requirements. Results revealed that treatments had no significant effect on live body weight changes and total dry matter intake. Milk yield affect significantly (P<0.05) of adding ginger forms. T2 (Low GP) recorded the highest (P<0.05) value of milk production compared to experimental groups and control which recorded the lowest value. Experimental treatments significantly (P<0.05) affect milk fat and total soiled percentage. Ewes in T2 (3 gm. GP/h/d.) group recorded the highest values of milk component except fat. Feeding ewes on experimental treated rations led to decrease saturated fatty acids (C 12:0 and C16:0), While, the experimental groups (except T2) insignificantly increased milk unsaturated fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids. Treatments of ginger forms insignificantly affect pH and total volatile fatty acids. While, T4 decreased (P<0.05) ammonia concentration and protozoa population compared to other groups. Results of blood biochemical were differ significantly (P<0.05) as affected by experimental treatments. T3 recorded the highest values of total proteins and globulin as compared to other groups. Total lipids and triglyceride values were higher for T4 than other groups. Data of lamb's performance showed that birth and weaning weights of kids didn't appear any significant differences among groups. On the other hand, T3 and T2 lambs recorded the highest (P<0.05) daily gain. Finally, T3 was better economic evaluation than other groups, where recoded the best feed conversion and net revenue for farmers.

Thirty weaned Barki lambs with average body weight 27.56±0.57 kg were blocked by weight and randomly distributed into three equal groups to investigate the impact of feeding trimming waste of mandarin trees (TWMT) on productive performance of lambs. The first group of animals was fed with Berseem hay (BH) plus concentrate feed mixture (CFM) without any additives and kept as a control ration (CR). The second group was fed TWMT plus CFM as untreated ration (UR), where, the animals in group three received TWMT plus CFM supplemented with Bio-Magic with level 10kg fresh matter/ton CFM and kept as a treated ration (TR). Feed was offered as 70% CFM of the total requirements for growing lambs and the roughage was offered ad lib. The results were summarized as follows:-CR group had higher digestibility than other groups. Sheep fed TR ration revealed lower TDN compared to the other groups. The DCP was significantly higher for UR and TR than CR-The CR group recorded the lowest value of Nretained however no significant differences were recorded between UR and TR groups. -The ADG for TR group increased by 4% and 15.9% compared to CR and UR, respectively.-Feed conversion was the best for lambs fed TR, while UR recorded the worst value.-The best economic efficiency recorded by TR. -It may be concluded that, TWMT has the potential solve to reduce shortage of roughage feeds for animals in Egypt; furthermore reducing feed cost under desert conditions.

he influence of halophytic diets with or without inclusion with protected fats was studied on the hair follicle dimensions and activity in the skin of Shami goats. Fortytwo adult Shami goats were divided into three groups (14 each) fed on diets with a ratio of 40% concentrate and 60% roughage and drink fresh water twice daily. The roughage in the first group, which representing the control was berseem hay, while in the other two groups were a mixture of 50% Atriplex halimus and Nummularia and 50% pearl millet with presence or absence of protected fats. Skin samples were taken to determine the hair follicle characteristics and activities. Results obtained indicated that feeding trails have small or no significant effects on the hair follicle dimensions or activities between tested and control groups and consequently elevated the negative effects of poor quality fibrous feed on follicle hair production and activity. A slight increase was found in the diameters of fibers from the secondary follicles in contrast with those of primary follicles, which showed a reversible trend. Meanwhile, the medulla thickness of the fibers produced from the primary follicles showed no significant changes corresponding to different feed trails. The histochemical evaluation revealed that significant differences in carbohydrate and protein contents of both primary and secondary follicle sheaths were found between the different treatment groups. The highest values of both carbohydrate and protein contents were recorded in the group which have protected fat in their diet. Animals fed on halophytes supplemented with protected fat were associated with higher sebaceous gland cell and nucleus diameters of both primary and secondary follicles. In an overall of conclusion, from the stand point of the skin follicle activity and hair production, the mixture of Atriplex halimus, Nummularia and pearl millet supplemented with protected fat could T