Effect of Dietary Dried Thyme Leaves Supplementation on Performance of Lactating Goats
Keywords:
feed ingredient, milk composition, milk yield, Saanen/Florida goats, Thymus vulgaris.Abstract
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) is considered a promising natural dietary supplement that can enhance animal health and overall productivity due to its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dried thyme leaves on the lactation performance of Saanen/Florida goats (crossbreed) and the chemical composition of the milk. Sixteen multiparous lactating goats were divided into two treatment groups (experimental and control) after 60 days of parturition, and monitored during a critical lactation period. Concentrate mixture was offered to animals of both groups, as well as alfalfa hay and wheat straw according to their nutritional needs. The experimental animals were fed the control ration plus 6 g thyme leaves/kg of concentrate mixture. The total duration of feeding experiment was 56 days and there were no differences in feed intake between the treatments. The analysis of the results showed that, regarding the milk yield, there was no significant difference between the experimental and the control groups (P>0.05). Milk fat content from experimental groups was significant lower (P<0.05), while the diets supplemented with thyme promoted milk protein and solid-not-fat contents throughout the feeding trial (P<0.05). Dietary dried thyme leaves supplementation, at level 6 g/kg concentrate feed, in isonitrogenous and iso (net energy) energetic diets for lactating goats did not affect their performance, increasing milk protein and solid-not-fat content, but decreasing milk fat content.
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