Feed Utilization and Lactational Performance of Damascus Goats Fed a Diet Supplemented with Marjoram or Basil Essential Oils

Abstract

Thirty lactating Damascus goats were used to study the effect of marjoram or basil essential oils dietary supplementation on feed utilization and lactational performance. After 7 days of parturition, the goats weighing 41.0±0.8 kg were grouped into three groups 10 goats each using complete random design and fed the experimental treatments included: (1) control diet: consisting of CFM: berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum): rice straw (50:30:20 DM basis); (2) control diet plus 20 ml basil oil / kg DM; (3) control diet plus 20 ml marjoram oil / kg DM. Digestibility of DM, OM and EE were significantly increased (P < 0.05) with marjoram oil treatment compared to the control treatment. Inclusion of marjoram increased (P < 0.05) milk yield, FCM 4% yield, ECM yield and yields of TS, fat and lactose and fat percent, blood serum glucose and triglyceride, propionic, valeric and total SCFA concentration compared with control treatment. Milk efficiency as ECM/DM intake was increased (P=0.0089) with the marjoram EO treatment compared with the control treatment. It could be concluded that supplementation of marjoram essential oil had a positive effect of nutrients digestibility (DM and OM), ruminal fermentation parameters (SCFA), milk production and composition and milk efficiency compared to basil essential oil.