Authors : Ahmed M. El-Waziry, Gamaleldin M. Suliman, Saeid M. Basmaeil, Abdullah N. Al-Owaimer, Hassan Metwally and Muqhim S. Al-Harbi
Abstract: The present study evaluated the inclusion of Acacia saligna foliage as a partial replacement for alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay in a mixed diet. Sixty male Ardi goat kids were assigned to 4 treatment groups comprised of feed containing 0, 20, 30 and 40% A. saligna. The longissimus thoracis muscle was used to study the effects of A. saligna supplementation on carcass characteristics, chemical composition and quality properties of meat. The treatment groups were significantly different in slaughter weight as well as in weights of empty body, hot and cold carcasses. Moreover, omental and mesenteric fat depots increased significantly with increased Acacia foliage levels. Also expressed juice showed significant increase as A. saligna foliage inclusion levels increased. Generally, the meat quality results were insignificant and not fully consistent regarding their development in relation to the level of A. saligna inclusion. It is concluded that inclusion of up to 30% A. saligna foliage can effectively replace alfalfa hay as a potential feed resource in goat’s diet without any adverse effects on meat quality.
Ahmed M. El-Waziry, Gamaleldin M. Suliman, Saeid M. Basmaeil, Abdullah N. Al-Owaimer, Hassan Metwally and Muqhim S. Al-Harbi, 2019. Effects of Partial Replacement of Alfalfa Hay with Acacia saligna Foliage on Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality of Goats. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 18: 108-118.