Biological and Economical Merits of Incorporating Azzawi Dates in Rations of Barki Ewes Under Desert Conditions in Egypt

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding non-conventional source of energy Azzawi date (non -edible date) on biological performance of Barki ewes and assess the economic returns from mid pregnancy period up to weaning age. Thirty Barki ewes were used with average initial live body weight of 42.4 ± 3 kg and ranging between 2 -5 years. Ewes were randomly distributed into three equal groups (G1, G2 and G3). Ewes of G1 fed traditional diet formulated of concentrate feed mixture (CFM) free of Azzawi date and served as control group, while ewes of G2, fed CFM with partial replacement (50%) of corn grain. Ewes of G3 fed CFM with totally replacement (100%) of corn grain by Azzawi date. The results showed that, inclusion of Azzawi date in the diet did not affect negatively live body weight changes of ewes and weight of fetus throughout the pregnancy period. Group 3 achieved the highest estimates and harvest more number of weaned lambs (78%) and lowest mortality rate (22 %) but the differences were not significant. The experimental diets had no significant effect on birth weight, weaning weight, and average daily gain. Lambs born of G1 were lighter in birth weight (3.53kg) than G2 and G3 (3.88kg & 3.71kg, respectively), but faster in growth rate (0.145kg/day) and heavier weaning weight (16.72 kg). Relative economic indicators revealed that, G3 had the highest reduction in total feed costs and scored -15.22 %, while G2, was intermediate and scored -7.98% less than the control group (G1). G3 achieved the lowest feed costs to produce one kilogram of weaned lambs, while G1 was the highest (LE 27.38 vs. LE 31.55).It could be concluded that, incorporating Azzawi date with ewes diets from mid pregnancy until weaning age did not enhance ewe or lamb production traits but minimized the feed costs of ewes during the studied experimental period.