This work was carried out on Zaraibi goat~ to investigate the effect of using
some medicinal herbs (chamomile and thyme) on milk production, feed conversion
and economical efficiency as well as some rumen and blood parameters. Thirty
pregnant Zaraibi goats aged 3·6 years old and weighing on average 55.0 kg were
used. Animals were divided randomly into 3 equal groups (10 in each). Animals
received diets in groups. Zaraibi does in G1 recs ived concentrate feed mixture,
berseem hay and rice straw as a control diet, while those in G2 and G3 received the
control diet plus 60 mg chamomile and thyme/kg body weight daily, respectively. In
addition, 9 bucks were used to evaluate the diqe: tibility and nutritive values of the
tested rations. The results showed that both of chamomile and thyme in the tested rations
led to significant increase in digestibility (of most nutrients) and nutritive value (TON
and OCP). The daily milk yield was the highest (1.586 kg) with G2 followed by G3
(1.540kg) and lastly the control (G 1) which recorded the lowest value (1.407kg) and the differences were significant (P< 0.05). However, milk composition was not
significantly affected by both chamomile and thyme. 11 the sametime, using medicinal
herbs (in G2 and G3) had positive effect on feed conversion, based on OM, TON and
DCP. Moreover, the economical efficiency was improved with chamomile (G2) and
thyme (G3) by 11.80 and 8.43% compared with G1. The results of rumen parameters of Zaraibi .joats showed that pH value and
ammonia -N were not significantly differed among t ie groups. Addition of medicinal
herbs especially chamomile had significantly increased total volatile fatty acids
(TVFA's) concentration at 4 and 6 hr post feeding in rumen fluid of goats. Serum total
lipids and cholesterol were reduced while protein and triglyceride were increased as a
result of adding both chamomile and thyme in goat's ra tions. Accordingly, it could be concluded that usir g both chamomile and thyme in
goat's rations had positive effects not only in improving milk yield, but also in
improving feed utilization and economical efficiency wihout any adverse effect on milk
composition as well as rumen and blood parameters.