Evaluation of chemical composition of pistachio pulp silage and its effect on feed intake, rumen fermentation characteristics and blood parameters in sheep

In order to investigating the effect of feeding different levels of Pistachio Pulp Silage (PPS) on feed intake، ruminal fermentation characteristics and blood parameters in Kermani sheep. Four male rams (32±2. 5 kg) were used in a replicated Latin square design with four diets and four periods of 21 days each. Five hundred kg of Pistachio Pulp was ensiled without any additive for a period of two months. Chemical composition of pistachio pulp silage and its apparent characteristics was also evaluated and used in experimental diets. The experimental diets were: 1) control diet (without PPS)، 2) diet containing 7% PPS، 3) diet containing 14% PPS and 4) diet containing 21% PPS. Ensiling of pistachio pulp did not affect on chemical composition، but total tannins reduced significantly (P<0. 05). Feeding 14% PPS in diet increased significantly dry matter intake (P<0. 05). Increasing amount of PPS in diet، the ruminal fluid pH decreased linearly (P<0. 05). Total protozoa population were changed quadratically and cubicly (P<0. 05) with increasing PPS in the experimental diets. Blood urea nitrogen decreased linearly with increasing pistachio pulp silage (P<0. 05). The blood cholesterol of animals increased with increasing PPS in experimental diets up to 14% and then decreased. In conclusion، PPS can be used up to 14% in the diet of sheep.