ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to investigate a low cost treatment able to remedy the hardness of the raw date seeds (stones) to allow using it efficiently in feeding animals. Such treatment could represent economic tool to utilize the secondary product of date palm trees and reducing wasted materials of this industry.
Two thousands kg Sewi cultivar date stones added to fodder before making silage. Physical characteristics (length, diameter, volume and weight) recorded for individual seeds before and after treatment. Proximate feed analysis (dry matter, ash, crude protein, fat and crude fiber) were performed on date stones before and after treatment.
Treated date stone was heavier (2.079 vs. 1.396 g) and taller (2.7 vs. 2.0 cm) than before treatments, which mean that the seeds gained moisture from the silo. There was no significant difference in the chemical composition, on dry matter base, of seeds before and after treatment. Sheep were able to consume whole silage content including the seeds and digest it easily. When we sacrifice animals after feeding treated date stones there was no seeds in the rumen or in feces. In contrast, animals fed hard seeds, without treatment, showed indigested seeds in the rumen and were found in feces.