Effect of processing of date palm leaves with urea and enzyme on nutrient digestibility, feeding behavior and some blood and rumen parameters of Arabian sheep

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of processing date palm leaves with urea and enzyme on digestibility, rumination and some blood and rumen parameters of Arabian sheep. In this research, 16 Arabian sheep with an average age of 8 months and weight 28 ± 1.5 kg were used. The ratio of concentrate/forage in the treatments was 50:50. Treatments were including 1) diet contains wheat straw (control), 2) diet contains crude date palm leaves, 3) diet contains crude date palm leaves+ 3 g/kg Natuzyme enzyme and 4) diet contains date palm leaves processed with 4 % urea. In this experiment it is considered 21 days for adaptation and 14 days for sampling. At the end of the experiment, nutrient digestibility, feeding behavior and blood and rumen parameters were determined and the obtained data were analyzed in completely randomized design. Results showed feed intake, digestibility of dry matter and organic matter and blood cholesterol level were not influenced by experimental diets (P>0.05). However, digestibility of NDF and ADF, blood glucose and urea and ruminal ammonia concentration significantly increased in sheep fed with date palm leaves processed with urea (P