Effect of feeding treated date kernel powder with alkaline hydrogen peroxide on digestibility and performance of finishing lambs

The present experiment was conducted to improve the feeding value of the date kernel and investigate its effect on the digestibility and performance of finishing lambs. The Thirty-two 6 ± 1-month-old Arabi male lambs with an average weight of 29±2 kg were assigned to four treatments with eight repeats. The experimental treatments were 1. Control (without date kernel powder), 2.A diet containing untreated date kernel powder, 3 and 4. Diets containing date kernel powder treated with alkaline hydrogen peroxide 1%, and 2%, respectively. Feed consumption, finishing performance, nutrients digestibility, rumen fermentation, blood parameters, and chewing activity of lambs were measured. The results of the present experiment showed that feed consumption was the same among treatments. The apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral and acid detergent fiber were the lowest amount in treatment containing untreated date kernel powder (P<0.05). There was no significant difference among treatments for daily weight gain, final weight, and feed conversion ratio. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentration was decreased in treatments two and three and pH was decreased in treatments two, three, and four compared to control treatment (P<0.05). The concentrations of blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride were not affected by experimental treatments. The total protozoa population of the rumen and Entodiniums spp. were the least in treatment two (P<0.05). Although the digestibility of raw date kernel powder treated with both levels of alkaline hydrogen peroxide improved, it was not as expected. Therefore, because the use of date kernel had no significant adverse effects on nutrients digestibility, finishing performance traits, also abundant and low price of date kernel in comparison to corn silage and other feed ingredients, it is possible to recommend it up to 15% in diets of finishing lambs.