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Abstract

This investigation research was performed to compare between Barki lambs and Barki kids in feed intake, nutritive value, digestibility, body weight gain, and some rumen and blood parameters when fed three different tanniniferous shrubs. The forage concentrate ratio in all groups was 60%:40%. The forages were Acacia saligna, Prosopis juliflora and Cassava (G1, G2, and G3 respectively). The results indicated that the total DM intake (g/h/d) was decreased in G2 compared with G1 and G3. The digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF) were increased by goats compared with sheep, while nitrogen utilization was nearly similar between both species and the highest value was recorded with G3 vs. G1 or G2. The highest concentration of rumen fluid NH3-N and TVFA's were recorded with goats vs. sheep. Moreover, animals fed Acacia showed the lowest value in NH3-N and TVFA's than those fed Prosopis or Cassava. Feed conversion (g CP/kg gain) tended to decrease with goats vs. sheep. The measured blood parameters show slight differences due to the source of shrubs, where all levels were within the normal ranges. So, tanniniferous shrubs could have used without any adverse effect on intake, water utilization and growth performance which improves the economic return of raising sheep and goats under semi-desert conditions of the North-Western Coast in Egypt. Ke ywo rds Acacia salignaBlood parameters Cassava Feed utilization Prosopis juliflora Rumen W. M. A. Sadek et al. (2020) / Comparative study of tanniniferous shrubs as an alternative source of feed on performance of sheep vs. goats under semi-desert conditions of the north western-coast of Egypt 2 and unpalatable plant species represent approximately 70% of the total coverage (El Shaer, 2003). Several attempts made towards utilization of such low value or unpalatable halophytic plants through proper processing methods to improve their palatability and nutritional utilization. Under semi-arid area conditions, small ruminants fed on trees and shrubs such as Cassava and Acacia to solve the attendant problems of low productivity (El Shaer 2010 andEissa et al., 2015a). However, such trees and shrubs foliage are generally rich in anti-nutritional factors, particularly tannins (Makkar, 2003). Feeding a mixture of these fodder shrubs could minimize or overcome the problems of palatability and toxic effects (