Effects of date supplementation ami crossing with dhofari goats on the fattening performance of local goats in the united arab emirates

Twenty-four goat kids (12 local purebred & 12 crossbreeds resulting from breeding local does with Dhofari bucks), three months of age were used in an 8-weeks trial to evaluate the effect of genotype and diet on the fattening performance and carcass characteristics when replacing 12.5% of the concentrate portion with dates. For a given genotype, goats were randomly divided into two groups; the first group was fed rhodes grass liny and pelleted concentrate; whereas the second group was given rhodesgrass hay plus a concentrate ration composed of 87.5% pelleted concentrate and 12.5% tmpitted dates. Diets were similar in roughage: concentrate ratio and offered ad libitum. Cross bred s showed higher estimates (P<.05) for body weight (BW) throughout the trial Diet and genotype significamy affected total dry matter intake (DMJ) (P<.001). Average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and hot carcass weight (HCW) were significnatly affected by diet (P<.05). Neither diet or genotype showed any significant effect on the physical dissection of the 9,10,11 ribs cut and chemical composition of the Longtssimus dorsi muscle. Significant effects of diet were detected on empty body weight (EBW) empty digestive tract (EGFT) and spleen weight (P<.05). Whereas, genotype significantly affected EBW, full digestive tract (FGIT), EG11\ liver, heart and testes weight (P<.05). This study demonstrates that crosses of Dhofari x local had a better meat production pointial than local goats at this age and conditions, Also, the study shows that including dates in the diet did not have beneficial effect on the fattening performance of goats under an intensive fattening system.