Sixteen male Maghraby camels (Came/us dromedarious) averaged 172 ±
3.4 kg body weight and of about 15 months old were used in a 126-day growth trial to
study the effect 0 f partial substitution 0 f discarded dried dates for yellow corn and
barley in their diets at 0% (diet 1, control ), 13% (diet 2),26% (diet3) and 39% (diet 4),
respectively.which represents zero, 25, 50 and 75% from each 0 f yellow c om and
barley. At the end of the growth trial, a digestion and N balance trial was carried out
using three camels of each group chosen randomly. Results indicated that average daily gain, (ADG), relative growth rate and dry
matter intake (DMI) were almost similar for groups fed diets 1, 2 and 3 being
Significantly higher than those fed diet 4. Similar trends were observed for DM, OM,
EE and NFE digestibilities. Digestibility coefficients of NDF, ADF, hemicellulose,
cellulose and ADL significantly decreased with increasing level of discarded dates in
the diets. Nutritive value as TDN was similar for diet 1,2 and 3 being higher (P< 0.01)
than that of diet 4, while DCP value decreased as the level of discarded date
increased in the diets. Nitrogen intake was almost similar for diets 1, 2 and 3, being higher than that
of diet 4. Urinary N of camel group fed diet 2 did not differ than those fed the control
diet, while a significant decrease was observed as the level of discarded date
increased from 13 up to 39% in the diets. Nitrogen balance as % of intake was similar
for camels fed diets 1, 2 and 3, being significantly higher than those fed diet 4. Feed conversion (kg DM or TON t kg gain) was the best for diet 2 but
differences among all dietary groups were not significant. Feed conversion as g
DCPt kg gain decreased with diet 2 and 3 (insignificant), being the best with diet 4 ( P
< 0.01) compared to the control . Feeding camels on diets containing discarded dates
resulted in a reduction (P<0.01) in feeding cost for producing one. kg body weight
gain. Also the economic efficiency improved by increasing level of discarded dates in
the diets. In conclusion, substitution of discarded dates for yellow com and barley up to
26% in growing camel diets achieved better or similar performance with better
economic efficiency compared to the diet containing yellow corn and barley, whereas
the level of substitution of 39% reduced animal performance. The low price of
discarded dates compared to yellow corn and barley suggests that substitution of
discarded dates for com and barley is considered an economic advantage.