Effect of adding Moringa oleifera residues to rations on some wool, skin and leather properties of growing Barki sheep

ABSTRACT
The aim of this work was to study the effect of using biological treated Moringa stalks in feeding sheep on wool, skin and leather properties. Twenty-four male Barki lambs divided into three groups were used. All animals fed 2% of animal body weight on concentrate feed mixture, while the roughages fed ad libitum, thus the difference among groups was in roughage material. The control group fed Berssem hay, second group fed Moringa stalks treated with fungus (Trichoderma reesei) and third group fed Moringa stalks treated with yeast (Saccharomyces cervisiae). All skins and leathers were evaluated chemically and physically, in addition wool characteristics were determined for wool samples. The results indicated that majority of physical and chemical properties of skins, leathers and wool were not significantly differed among groups. Therefore, using Moringa stalks as roughage in rations not affected the quality of wool, skins or leathers, which are considered acceptable in different industrial purposes such as carpets, upper shoe, garment and lining.