ABSTRACT
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of replacing concentrate feed (CFM) mixture with different levels of treated orange pulp (TOP) on growth performance, rumen fermentation, nutrients digestibility and blood parameters of growing lambs. Eighteen Barki lambs in three similar groups fed concentrate feed mixture and berseem hay at rate 60:40. Citrus pulp replaced CFM in rations T1, T2 and T3 at rates 0, 20 and 40 %, respectively. Feeding trial lasted 90 days. Average daily gain (ADG) showed a significant increase with increasing levels of replacement. Inclusion of 20 and 40% of TOP in the diet increased dry matter intake (DMI) compared to the control group. Ruminal ammonia-N concentration showed a linear decrease. Ruminal fluid pH not affect with increasing replacement of CFM by TOP. Acetate concentration showed a linear increase. On the other hand, blood total protein and cholesterol showed linear increase. Organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber showed a quadratic effect with the level of replacement. The results showed that using treated orange pulp (TOP) at rates 20 or 40% instead of CFM had better daily gain, more feed efficiency and lowest cost with the highest economic efficiency. The results of the present study show that replacement of CFM by TOP improved and enhanced ADG for replacement level 40%. Meanwhile, no adverse effects noticed on growth performance, rumen fermentation, nutrients digestibility and blood parameters.