PERFORMANCE OF GOATS FED RATIONS CONTAINING WHOLE SUNFLOWER SEEDS

ABESTRACT
This study consisted of two major trials, to evaluate milk productin and the other for digestability estimate. Thirty Zaraibi goats of 4-5 years old and 41.041.19 kg average body weight were used for milk production trial while 9 Zaraibi bucks were used for digestability trial. Animals were randomly distributed into three groups and fed ration formulated of 50% concentrate feed mixture and 50% berseem hay. Goats in group 1 acted as a control group (G1) ; goats in group 2 were fed the control group ration but 5% of concentrate mixture was replaced with sunflower seeds (Halianthus annuus) (G2) and goats in group 3 were fed the control ration but 10% of concentrate mixture was replaced with sunflower seeds (G3). The digestion coefficients of DM, CP and NFE are slightly increased by adding sunflower but the differences were not significant among treatment groups. There were no significant differences between groups in ruminal pH, NH3-N and TVFA's values as a result of experimental treatment during the same collected time. Milk yield was higher (p<0.05) in G2 and G3 than in G1 group. Addition of sunflower seeds in the goats rations increased (p<0.05) milk fat, protein and total solids while decreased lactose percent. Addition of 10% sunflower seed showed higher serum total lipid, triglyceride than those of 5% sunflower seed or control with significant differences (P<0.05) during suckling and lactation periods while, The concentration of serum chlesterol was significantly lower in treated groups than control group espesialy with 10 % sunflower. The goats in control group had nearly the same mean serum glucose level compared to the other two groups, while the serum glucose concentration was slightly higher in suckling periob than lactation period in all groups.