SUMMARY
This study conducted to evaluate effects of supplementing two levels of chamomile flowers to the ration of Farafra ewes on milk production, blood profile and lambs' growth. A total of 21 ewes with average live body weight 46.0 ± 1.23 kg were used in this study. Ewes divided into three groups (7 each) and fed diets according to NRC allowances (1985). Treatments contained 0, 5 and 10g chamomile/10 kg BW/day. The animals were in late pregnancy when started use in the experiment and continued for three months of lactation until weaning.
The results show that daily DM intake improved with increasing the level of chamomile (5 or 10 g/100 kg BW/day) in the rations G2, G3, respectively, and the differences were significant. The same trend observed also with TDN intake (916.05, 931.2 and 937.28 g/d of G1, G2 and G3, respectively.
Concerning blood parameters, the results indicate that some blood constituents tested not significantly affected by the tested experimental rations. Serum glucose, protein and globulin increased while cholesterol and enzymes (GOT, GPT and ALP) reduced, as result of adding chamomile, especially at the high level (G3). In addition, chamomile had positive effect on hematological parameters (Hb and Hct).
Daily milk yield increased by 6.41 and 15.10% for G2 (465g) and G3 (503g) relative to the control (437g). Moreover, percentages of both fat and total solids (TS) significantly increased with increasing the level of chamomile. It is interesting to found a negative relationship between SCC and milk yields.
Live body weight at birth and weaning positively affected by supplement of chamomile during pregnancy, thus total body gain and daily body gain of born lambs improved.
Accordingly, it could conclude that supplementing chamomile for lactating ewes' rations had positive effects not only on milk production, but also on metabolic parameters and lambs' growth.