Effectof feeding ferula Ovinaas an alternative to alfalfa hayon feed intake, digestibility and bloodparametersin Kermani sheep

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding Ferula Ovina as an alternative to alfalfa hay, on digestibility and blood parametersin Kermani sheep. The design of experiment was 4×4 in four periods of 21-day which include 16 days of adaptation and five days for sampling.Experimental diets were as 1-Control (without Ferula Ovina); 2- diet containing %10 Ferula Ovina; 3- diet containing %20, Ferula Ovina and 4- diet containing 30% Ferula Ovina (completely replaced alfalfa hay).Chemical composition and metabolizable energy of Ferula Ovinaand alfalfa were determined.The result showed that crude protein (CP) and crude fiber were lower but EE, metabolizable energy and ash were higher in Ferula Ovinathan alfalfa. Feeding Ferula Ovina significantlyreduced dry matter intake (P<0.05). However, there was no effect on organic matterdigestibility. Dry matter (DM) and CP digestibilities were changed cubically and quadratic ally, respectively.However, NDFandADFdigestibility were changed linearly. Replacing alfalfa by 30% Ferula Ovina caused an increase following by a decrease in cholesterol and blood creatinine (P<0.05), but no effect onglucose, triglycerides andureanitrogen of blood were achieved.In conclusion,replacing alfalfa by10% Ferula Ovinahad no negative effecton sheepperformance anddue tolessreplacement cost thanhaycrop,the efficiencyoflivestock husbandry will be improved.