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

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
M Hajmohammadi 1
R Tahmasbi 2
O Dayani 3
A Khezri 2
1 MSc, Animal Science, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
3 Associate Professor, Department of Animal Science, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
10.22077/jlr.2026.4103
Abstract
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
Keywords
Ferula Ovina
Digestibility
Kermani sheep
Blood parameters