Effect of Using Discarded Dates (Fruit) and Sun-Dried Sardines

on the Performance and Meat Quality Characteristics of

Local Omani Goat Breeds

Fahad Alyahyaeay 1,2,* and M.C. Barnett 1

1 School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga- Australia.

2 Goats and Sheep Research Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Rumais-

Sultanate of Oman

Small ruminants are important sources of meat in Oman. It contributes about 36% of the total

domestic red meat production in the country. Dates and sardines are two major feed products that

are widely produced in Oman and represent excellent sources of energy and protein.

Twenty-eight growing male goats (14, Jabbali and 14, Sahrawi

breeds) were used in this study.

Seven Jabbali and seven Sahrawi kids for control and the same

numbers for each breeds used for the treatment.

Control animals were fed a diet consisting of concentrate mixture

(crude protein 14% and energy 10.5 MJ/kg DM) while the treated

animals received a diet of whole dates and sardine fish formulated

to the same protein and energy.

Animal weights were recorded weekly. Immediately upon the

completion of the feeding trial, three animals selected randomly

from each group (n=12) were euthanized and evaluated for carcass

traits.

The experiment was conducted at the Rumais Livestock Research

Center with collaboration from the Animal and Veterinary Science

Departments of Sultan Qaboos University in Oman and Charles

Sturt University in Australia.

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Objectives

Evaluate the effect of using discarded dates and sun-dried sardines on the performance and meat

quality of local Omani goat breeds.

Study the effect of low cost feed on meat quality for local goat breeds

The primary results for the study showed that there is significant effect for the growth rate

between the treated and control animals.

Jabbali goat breed was superior the Sahrawi breed for the growth traits.

Preliminary Results