The Economic Effect of a Daily Supplementation of carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua L.,) on Rumen Fermentation and Lactating Goats Performance

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of a daily supplementation of carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua L.,) on rumen fermentation and milk production of goats. Thirty two lactating does (weight ranged from 33–35 kg), aged 2-4 years old and from 2nd to 3th lactation season were randomly allocated into four similar groups (8 animals each). The animals were fed with isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets. Carob pods was daily supplemented at the rate of 0, 25, 50 or 100g /h/d. The lactating trial was extended for 75 days where goats were fed individually and fresh water was available at all time. Rumen fermentation parameters were monitored on three fistulated adult does. Results indicated that volatile fatty acids concentration, rumen volume, microbial protein synthesis and total bacteria counts were highest (P