Thirtylactating Zaraibi goats in mid lactation were randomly assigned into five groups, six in each to evaluate two different sources and levels of canola or sunflower seeds. Five experimental diets were formulated to study their effects on digestion coefficients, some rumen parameter, some blood constituents and milk production and its components. The first group received a diet with no supplemented oil seeds (control), 2nd received a diet containing 5% canola seeds (LCS), 3rd received a diet containing 10% canola seeds(HCS), 4th received a diet containing 7% sunflower seeds (LSFS) and 5th received a diet containing 14% sunflower seeds(HSFS).
The obtained results indicated that digestibility coefficients of DM, OM and EE and the nutritive value in terms of TDN% were increased but CF digestibility coefficient were decreased by using canola and sunflower seeds in diets. The differences among all the experimental diets in the digestibility coefficients of CP and NFE and the nutritive value in term of DCP% were not significant. The digestibility coefficients of DM and OM were similar among the tested diets containing canola and sunflower seeds. On the other hand, digestibility coefficient of EE increased and but that of CF decreased as the level of canola or sunflower seeds were increased in the diet.
No significant differences were noticed with respect to ruminal pH values among the tested diets. The concentrations of ruminal total volatile fatty acids (VFA's), acetic acid and the ratio of acetate to propionate were increased, but NH3-N, propionic acid and butyric acid were decreased for goats fed canola or sunflower diets than those fed the control diet. The improvements in rumen parameters for goats fed high canola seeds were more than the other tested diets.
No significant differences were noticed in plasma urea nitrogen, albumin and globulin concentrations among the tested diets. The highest values of plasma total protein were recorded with diet contained high canola seeds and the lowest value was recorded with the control diet.
Yields of milk, 4% fat corrected milk (4% FCM) and its components were improved ((P<0.05) when goats were fed diets contained canola or sunflower seeds than those fed the control diet. The improvements were more pronounced as the levels of canola or sunflower seeds were increased in the diet.
Within the milk fat, the concentration of saturated fatty acids (FA) was reduced and unsaturated FA was increased in response to dietary oil seeds. The concentrations of saturated FA were decreased, but unsaturated FA was increased as the level of canola or sunflower seeds were increased in the diet.
Feed cost per one kg 4% FCM decreased by 11.61%, 10.97%, 9.03% and 8.39% for goats fed HCS, HSFS, LCS and LSFS, respectively. Accordingly, economic efficiency value was the best with HCS diet followed by HSFS diet and then LCS and LSFS diets.