Response of Replacement of Yellow Corn with Cull Dates as a Source of Energy on Productive Performance of Goats Kids

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing corn grains with cull dates (CD) on the performance of growing goats kids. Twelve male kids aged 6 months with an average body weight 16.5 kg + 0.25 kg were placed in individual pens and fed with four levels of replacement of corn grains by CD (0, 50, 75 and 100%) during 90 days. Daily live-weight gain, dry matter intake and feed conversion were evaluated. Amino acids of corn grains and cull dates were determined. A digestibility trial was conducted to determine the digestibility coefficients and nutritive value of the tested ration. Rumen parameters were also measured. Results obtained showed that CP, CF and EE contents in four rations were nearly similar. The DM intake of group 4 was higher than the other tested rations. Results of digestibility trial indicated that the difference between all tested rations were not significant, except for NDF and ADF. The TDN of 100% cull dates showed insignificant higher than that of the three other groups, concerning the DCP, the control ration showed the highest value (p<0.05) compared with the other tested rations. Concerning weight gain, animal fed ration (4) recorded highest gain (105 g) followed by control group (102 g). The group (2) recorded the lowest value (90 g). Ruminal total volatile fatty acids values were significantly higher for goats fed 100% cull dates than control group. Ammonia-nitrogen of treatment 3 (75% cull dates) was higher than values of other groups. In conclusion, group 4 (100% cull dates) could be used to improve animal performance of goats kids without any adverse effect. [Abd El-Rahman, H.H.; Abedo, A.A., El-Nomeary, Y.A., Shoukry, M.M., Mohamed, M.I. and Mona S. Zaki. Response of Replacement of Yellow Corn with Cull Dates as a Source of Energy on Productive Performance of Goats Kids. Life Sci. J. 2012;9(4):2250-2255] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 334.