Abstract

Sixty suckling zaraibi kids (33 males and 27 females) at 7 days after birth with average live body weight of 3.03 ± 0.02kg were allocated into three similar groups (11 males and 9 females in each group) according to live body weight and sex. All kids naturally suckled their dams. The 1^st group was unsupplemented and served as control (G1), whereas the 2^nd and 3^rd groups orally supplemented with 0.5 and 1.0g nigella sativa (NS)/lamb/day for G2 and G3, respectively. The experiment continued for 84 days during the period from 7 days after birth until weaning at 90 days. Results showed that all types of plasma immunoglobulins were significantly (P<0.05) increased in treatment groups (G2 and G3) compared with the control (G1). The high NS level (G3) showed significantly (P<0.05) the highest values compared to low level in G2. The percentages of diarrhea, respiratory, septicemia, navel and general weakness diseases incidence of kids decreased significantly (P<0.05) with NS additive as well as with increasing the level of additive. Moreover, G3 received the high level of NS (1g/head/day) revealed the lowest percentages of various diseases followed by G2 (0.5 g/head/day), whereas control one G1 had the highest percentages (P<0.05). Mortality rate of suckling kids decreased significantly (P<0.05) with NS additive as well as with increasing the level of additive. Control group (G1) recorded significantly (P<0.05) the highest mortality rate 15% (3/20) followed by G2 10% (2/20), but G3 the lowest rate 5% (1/20). Kids were significantly (P<0.05) heavier in NS additive groups than in the control one, being the heaviest in G3. Also, total and average daily gain were significantly (P<0.05) higher in NS additive groups than in control group, with the highest in G3. NS additive recorded significant increase (P<0.05) in output of weaning weight compared to control one. Also, output of weaning weight increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing NS level.

Keywords:Suckling lambs; Nigella Sativa; Immunity; Diseases; Mortality; Growth performance