ABSTRACT
The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of non-conventional energy supplements to the basal diet on production and reproduction performances of dairy Zaraibi nanny goats. Ninety- two Zaraibi goats (35.92±2.41 kg body weight and aged < 30 months) were divided into four similar groups (n=23/group). The groups were assigned at random to receive four experimental rations. The control basal ration (T1) consisted of 60% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) plus 40 % rice straw (RS), T2 contained 50% CFM + 45% RS + 5% protect fat (PF) of Megalac®, T3 included 50% CFM + 45% RS + 5% corn steep liquor (CSL) and T4 comprised of 50% CFM + 45% RS + 2.5% CSL + 2.5% PF. All diets were offered to all goats 28 days before the breeding season, as flushing period, as well as through pregnancy and lactation. Dietary effects on LBW during pregnancy, reproduction performances, milk yield and composition during suckling and lactation and blood parameters post-suckling and lactation were studied. The results revealed that nanny goats fed T2 and T4 rations showed higher (P<0.05) LBW through different pregnancy stages than T1 and T3 rations. The does fed T2 and T4 diets attained significantly (P<0.05) better reproductive performance than those fed T1 and T3 ration. Fertility rate was significantly (P<0.05) better with T4 and T2 diets than T3 and T1 diets, being, 200.00%, 186.96%, 156.52% and 130.43%, respectively. The does fed T2, T3 and T4 diets had significantly more suckled milk by 40.85%, 22.68% and 52.11 % than control (T1). Meanwhile, the improved of energy supplement during lactation period ameliorated more milk harvest by 24.21%, 12.51% and 33.44% with T2, T3 and T4 rations than control. Milk composition had significant differences (P<0.05) among trial diets andlactation stages (suckling and lactation). The best milk composition was obtained with T2 and T4 compared to T1 and T3. The serum glucose concentration had slightly changed within T2, T3, T4 and T1 goats during suckling and milking periods. The serum triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, AST and ALT were significantly (P<0.05) increased due to experimental rations and milking stage. From these results, it could be concluded that feeding dairy Zaraibi goats a diet containing cheap non-conventional energy specially a combination between CSL and PF could improve LBW during pregnancy, milk yield, milk composition and some blood parameters throughout suckling and lactation periods.