Effect of enriched alfalfa with different levels of wasted date on chemical composition of ensiled alfalfa and rumen digestibility andrumen fermentation parameters in Kermani sheep

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of feeding ensiled alfalfa with wasted date on digestibility and ruminal parameters in Kermani sheep. Four rams (47 ± 2 kg BW) were used in a 4×4 latin square design. Each experimental period consisted 21-days. For ensiling, fresh alfalfa with different levels of wasted date (0, 5, 10 and 15 percent) were mixed together and ensiled in 40 L container for 45 days. Chemical composition of silages were determined and used in experimental diets as: 1) control diet (alfalfa silage without wasted date); 2) alfalfa with 5% wasted date silage; 3) alfalfa with 10% wasted date silage and 4) alfalfa with 15% wasted date silage. The results showed that adding wasted date to alfalfa on ensiling, improved silage quality and increased DM and energy content of silages (P