Utilization of Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) By-Products in Sheep Feeding

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of insert artichoke (Cynara scolymus) by-products in Rahmany sheep rations and its effect on animals performance. Twelve male growing Rahmany lambs aged 8 months with an average body weight 31.7 Kg ±0.38 were fed three rations (4 animals/ration). The three groups were fed concentrate feed mixture (FCM) to cover 50% of nutrients requirements, plus kidney bean straw, control (1 group), a 1:1 mixture of kidney bean straw and artichoke by-products (2 group) or artichoke by- st nd products only (3 group). The roughages were fed ad lib. Daily live weight gain, dry matter intake and feed rd conversion were measured. Digestibility trials were conducted to determine the nutrients digestibility and nutritive values of the three tested rations. Rumen parameters were also measured. Obtained results showed that artichoke by-products had higher value of CP (16.6%) compared with kidney bean straw (10.04%) and nearly similar with CFM, but the CF content was higher in artichoke by-products (24.22%) compared with 20.72% for kidney bean straw and 11.17% for CFM. Amino acids estimation shows that artichoke by-products had higher values in most amino acids, while it had lower values in a few amino acids compared with kidney bean straw. The dry matter intake of group 3 was higher than the other tested rations. Nutrients digestibility and nutritive values in terms of TDN and DCP for group 3 were the highest, followed by group 2 and group 1, respectively. Concerning average daily gain, animal fed ration 3 recorded highest gain (262 g) followed by group 2 (257 g) then group 1 (248 g). The values of feed conversion recorded the best for group 1 followed by group 2, then group 3. Group 3 showed the lowest ruminal pH at zero time, while recorded the highest values (P<0.05) of ammonia nitrogen and TVFA's with G2 compared with G1 and (P<0.05) with G3. And the results indicated that all ruminal parameters values were in the normal range for all groups. In conclusion, insert the artichoke by- products in sheep ration improve animal performance.