Effect of

Context Spirulina platensis (SP) has been found to be an important dietary supplement for boosting animal growth performance, having a high protein content (60–70% on dry-matter basis) with minimal toxicity. Aims The effect of supplementation the and performance two Omani goat breeds (Jabbali Sahrawi) was investigated. Methods Thirty-six 11-month-old bucks from were studied 70 days at Livestock Research Centre, Ministry Agriculture, Fisheries Water Resources, Oman. Each breed divided into three groups (n = 6) fed one following rations: (1) control (CON): concentrate 14% crude 11.9% energy (MJ/kg DM); (2) Treatment 1 (T1): same 2 g/head.day SP; (3) (T2): 4 SP. Weekly growth, body conformation data collected included live bodyweight (BWT), condition score (BCS), average daily gain (ADG), chest girth (CG), wither height (WH) length (BL). Key results Jabbali had higher feed conversion ratio T1 T2 than did Sahrawi breed. During trial, no differences in total DM intake between treatments either SP levels significantly (P < 0.05) improved BWT ADG compared CON group. Analysis all traits indicated significant feeding spirulina except WH BL. ANOVAs fixed effects this study (dam age kid birth type, i.e. single, twin or triple) not > any traits. However, highly 0.001) BWT, ADG, BCS treatment CG Conclusions could used as improve morphological production. Feeding kids led increased herd buck selection facilitation earlier age. Implications These findings will benefit producers managing productivity product quality.