Effect of Adding Fennel and Fenugreek Seeds to Diets of Local Female Goats on some Productive Traits

Abstract

The study aims to determine the effect of adding fennel and fenugreek seeds to the diets of local female goats on some productive traits for the period from 12/10/2022 to 3/30/2023. Were used 24 local goats, their ages ranged between 2-3 years with an average weight of (49.8 ± 50.1) kg. The animals were randomly distributed among four treatments. The first treatment (T1) served as the control group and was fed a concentrated diet. The second treatment (T2) received a concentrated diet supplemented with Fenugreek seeds at a concentration of 12g/kg of concentrated feed. The third treatment (T3) was fed a concentrated diet supplemented with fennel seeds at a concentration of 12g/kg of concentrated feed. The fourth treatment (T4) received a concentrated diet supplemented with 6g/kg of Fenugreek seeds and 6g/kg of fennel seeds in the concentrated feed. The results showed that there was no significant improvement (0.05≤P) in the rate of feed consumption for the experimental treatments compared with the control treatment. While the animals of the second treatment recorded a significant increase in milk production from the beginning of production until day 77 of production, while the third treatment witnessed a significant decrease (0.05≥P) in the rate of milk production throughout the production period. Also, the results did not show a significant change (0.05≤P). P) in milk components (fat, protein, lactose, non-fat solids) for all experimental treatments. Also, adding fennel seeds and fenugreek to the diets of female local goats led to a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in the birth weight of male newborns of animals in the third treatment. As for female newborns, no significant differences (P≤0.05) in birth weight were recorded, but a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in the rate of weight gain was recorded during the subsequent periods of the experiment.