Using Some Untraditional Feed Additives

This research work was carried out to investigate the effect of adding Egyptian Chufa tubers in goats diets on nutrients digestibility, some rumen and blood parameters and growth performance of Zaraibi goats kids. Eighteen kids (average 21.3±0.45 kg live weight) were divided into 3 groups (6 kids each). Animals in groups G1, G2 and G3 received 0, 5 and 10 g Chufa tubers /head/day, respectively in their diets. In addition, 9 Zaraibi bucks averaging 51.0 kg body weight were used in three digestion trails. The obtained results showed that the digestion coefficients of all nutrients as well as the feeding values (TDN and DCP %) were significantly improved (P<0.05) as a result of adding Chufa tubers. Ruminal NH3-N concentration was tended to decrease with increasing level of Chufa tubers. But, ruminal total VFA's concentration was increased with increasing level of Chufa tubers. Molar proportion of ruminal VFA's showed higher acetate (P<0.05) and propionate concentration but lower butyrate with the two treatment groups (G2 and G3) compared with G1. Daily body gain recorded the highest (P<0.05) value (90.22g) with G3 followed by G2 (84.67g) and lastly G1 (76.07 g/head/day).