Abstract

Background:
Enhancing the nutritional components in milk would improve its quality, especially in ewe milk, because of its economic importance to dairy industry companies.

Aim:
This study evaluated the effects of adding ground dates, named Al-Zuhdi, to the concentrated diet on the productive performance of the milk components and bacterial fermentation products of the rumen during the lactation period.

Methods:
Eighteen ewes, aged 2.5-2 years old, in good health, with an average weight of 53.60± 7.25kg B.W were divided into three groups equally. The first group (T1) was fed on a basal diet as a control group, while the ewes of the second group (T2) were fed on a basal diet with ground dates at a ratio of 7.5%. The third group (T3) was fed a basal diet supplemented with 15% ground dates.

Results:
The findings demonstrated that the rates of rumen fermentation rose considerably (p

Key words: Feed energy, Milk composition, Al-Zuhdi dates, Rumen fluid, Awassi ewe