The effect of feeding vitex agnus-castus leaves on nutrients digestibility and fattening performance of male goat kids

The aim of the present experiment was to determine the effect of using the vitex agnus-castus (vitex) leaves as an alternative for alfalfa hay in the diet of fattening male goat kids on the performance, ruminal fermentation, digestibility of the nutrients and some blood parameters. The experimental treatments were 1) control (without vitex) and 2) replacement of vitex leaves with 60% alfalfa hay in the control diet(equal to 18% of diet). Sixteen fattening male goat kids with the average weights of 18 ± 2 kg and ages of 4.5 months were randomly assigned to the two treatments and eight replications for 60 days. Feed consumption, weight changes and feed conversion ratio were measured every 15 days. Dry matter intake, digestibility of nutrients, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were not affected by theexperimental treatments in the entire experiment period. Compared to the control diet, concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (P =0.08) and cholesterol (P =0.07) tend to decrease whereas blood glucose concentration (P=0.08) tend to increase in the kids fed with the diet containing vitex leaves. Ammonia nitrogen concentration and pH of the rumen liquor in treatment containing vitex leaves were significantly lower compared to the control group (P <0.05). Consequently, the vitex leaves can be used up to 18% of diet in the feeding of fattening male goat kids as an appropriate replacement for 60% of alfalfa hay without having the negative effects on their digestion and performance.