Effect of Fenugreek Seeds (<i>Trigonella foenumgraecum</i>L) on Lactational Performance of Dairy Goat

Abstract

Abstract Al-Shaikh, M.A., Al-Mufarrej, S.I. and Mogawer, H.H. 1999. Effect of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenumgraecum L) on lactational performance of dairy goat. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 16: 177–183. The effect of feeding fenugreek seed, as part of a dairy goat ration, on milk yield and fat percentage was studied for 9 weeks in 21 lactating dairy goats divided into three groups (A, B and C) according to the level of fenugreek in the concentrate (0, 25 and 50% fenugreek, respectively). All diets were similar in CP and ME. Milk yield was recorded daily while fat percentage was determined in weekly milk samples. Group B showed significantly higher daily milk yield and fat percentage (2743±56 ml and 6.7±0.4%, respectively) than the other groups, whereas group C showed a lower daily milk yield and fat percentage than the control (1103±79 ml and 4.0±0.4%, compared with 1643±78 ml and 5.1±0.4%, respectively). Goats suckling one kid gave more milk daily than those suckling twins (2030±60 vs 1630±60 ml). There were no significant differences in plasma total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, glucose and total lipids among the three groups.