Physiological and Productive Responses of Dairy Zaraibi Goats to Herbal Additives: A Comparative Study of Chamomile and Rosemary Manal F.R. Fadl1, Tharwat A.Imbabi 1, Abdelmotaleb A.Elokil1, Mohamed I.Ahmed2, Abdelkarim I.M.El-Sayed1

Forty Zaraibi does aged between 3 to 6 years were randomly allocated into 4 groups (n=10). The control group (G1) received a basal diet comprising a concentrate feed mixture, berseem hay and rice straw in a ratio of 50:25:25 on a dry matter (DM) basis. G2 received the control diet supplemented with 5 g rosemary per 100 kg body weight/day; G3 received 5 g chamomile per 100 kg body weight/day; and G4 received a mixture of 2.5 g rosemary and 2.5 g chamomile per 100 kg body weight/day. The experimental period lasted 90 days during mid-lactation. The results indicated that daily feed intake (g/kg0.75) was highest in G4 (93.15), while the lowest intake was observed in G1 (91.73). In contrast, water consumption was higher in the control group than in the supplemented groups. Regarding blood parameters, significant differences were observed in hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and lymphocyte count with the highest values recorded in G4. Antioxidant markers also showed improvements with the inclusion of rosemary, chamomile and their combination in the diets. Average milk yield represents an improvement by 6.80, 8.10 and 11.45% for G2, G3, and G4, respectively compared to the control. Feed conversion efficiency (based on DM and crude protein intake, respectively) was best in G4 (1.271 and 0.146), followed by G3 (1.309 and 0.151), and least efficient in G1 (1.401 and 0.162). In conclusion, supplementing the diets of lactating Zaraibi goats with rosemary, chamomile, or their mixture positively influenced milk yield, physiological responses and feed utilization.