Direct-fed microbials (DFM) feed additives have been shown to improve average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency in ruminant animals in many studies. So, this study aimed to evaluate effect of using fungal and bacterial DFM and their mixture on productive performance of growing lambs. Thirty-two Barkey lambs (3 months old, 22.31± 1.57 kg) were randomly assigned into four groups, 8 lambs of each according to live body weight. The first group (control) was fed control rations without DFM supplementation, while treated groups (Fungal DFM, Bacterial DFM and Mixed DFM) were fed the control ration plus 2.5 g fungal, bacterial or mixed (1:1) DFM; respectively. Results showed that groups fed ration supplemented with DFM (fungal, bacterial and mixed) recorded higher DM, TDN and digestible CP intake. Supplementation of lambs ration with DFM (fungal, bacterial and mixed) showed not significant (P>0.05) effects on rumen liquor TVFA's and ammonia concentration at 0, 3 and 6 hrs post feeding. While DFM supplemented rations showed significant higher rumen liquor pH at 0, 3 and 6 hrs after feeding compared to the control group. Numerically increase was recorded in cellulose activity as unit per ml rumen liquor for groups fed ration supplemented with bacterial and mixed DFM. Direct fed microbial supplementation significantly (P<0.05) improved nutrients digestibility as dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fiber, nitrogen free extract, neutral  detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) as well as feeding values as TDN and digestible crude protein. Bacterial or mixed DFM supplementation showed numerically increased (P>0.05) in plasma total protein concentration compared to lambs fed ration not supplemented. While albumin, globulin, urea, triglycerides, creatinine ALT and AST, alkaline phosphates activity were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by DFM supplementation. Total gain and ADG were significantly increased (P≤0.05) for groups received rations supplemented with DFM compared to control group. Also DFM supplementation significantly (P≤0.05) improved feed conversion as DM, TDN, CP and DCP compared to the control group. It could be concluded that supplementing lambs ration with fungal, bacterial or mixed DFM improved feed intake, digestibility, average daily gain and feed conversion without any adverse effects on animal health and performance.

Feeding flaxseed to dairy animals improve milk production and reproductive performance. So, the objective of our study was to investigate effect of inclusion flaxseed in Damascus goat's ration on its reproductive performance. Twenty-four Damascus goats (31.40 ±0.50 kg weight and 2-3 years old) were divided into three groups (randomly, eight animals each). The basic diet of  control group (T1) consisted of 56.67% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and 33.33% Alfalfa hay, while the groups T2 and T3 supplemented with 10% full fat soya, 5% flaxseed + 5% full fat soya and 10% flaxseed, respectively. Inclusion flaxseed in goat’s ration at rate of 5 and 10% resulted in significant increase in all nutrients digestibility, except nitrogen free extract digestibility (NFE) as well as the nutritive values as total digestible nutrients (TDN). Dry matter intakes (DMI) of the different experimental groups were comparable. Goats in T3 recorded the highest does conceived, twinning, conception and kidding rates % as well as total kids born, than other groups (T1 and T2). On the hand T3 recorded the lowest aborted does and barren does (Zero) compared to T1 and T2. Animals of T3 recorded significant higher of total protein, globulin, Albumin and urea concentration than T1 and T2. Concerning lipids profile, the animals of T3 recorded significant lower triglycerides, cholesterol and Low-density lipoprotein concentration than those of T1 and T2. While the animals of T3 recorded significant higher High-density lipoprotein concentration compared to  T2 and T1. The body weight of does is not significantly affected by any of three treatments. In conclusion, flaxseed supplementations in Damascus goat's diets during the gestation period lead to improve total tract digestibility, reduced blood lipids and normalize renal and hepatic functions and improved its reproductive performance, especially those fed on diets containing 10% flaxseed.