Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances1683-99191996-3289Academic Journals Inc.10.3923/ajava.2018.269.275El-WaziryAhmed BasmaeilSaeid Al-OwaimerAbdullah MetwallyHassan AliMuttaher Al- HarbiMuqhim 32018133Background and Objective: The contribution of acacia to livestock nutrition is important in marginal lands of arid and semi-arid regions, therefore, the current study planned to evaluate the effects of replacement of alfalfa hay with acacia foliage in feeding goats on rumen fermentation, digestibility and growth performance of Ardi goats. Materials and Methods: Goats in-group 1 fed a control diet (C) containing 40% alfalfa hay and 60% concentrate mixture. Goats in groups 2, 3 and 4 fed diets in which 20% (A20), 30% (A30) and 40% (A40) of acacia foliage were replaced as the same percent with alfalfa hay in control diet, respectively. Ammonia concentrations were decreased numerically with acacia contained diets compared to control diet. Results: The highest digestibility values of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) were recorded in goats fed C diet followed by A30, A20 and A40 diets. The best nitrogen retention was recorded with the goats fed C diet followed by A30, A20 and A40. There were significant differences on average daily gain between A40 and other diets. The best feed conversion was recorded with C and followed by A20, A30 and A40. Conclusion: The results suggest that the replacement of acacia foliage up 30% instead of alfalfa hay in goat diets without negative impact on the productivity of the animals.]]>Gurbuz, Y. and M. Kaplan, 2008in vitro gas production characteristics and ensilling of sugar beet leaves as alternative feed resource.]]>715681574Hernandez, S.R., F.Q. Cardoso, L.M.C. Diaz, M.C. Salazar and B.A. Morales et al.,2015Acacia farnesiana and Acacia cochliacantha.]]>128186Shaker, Y.M., 2014107888Alsersy, H., A.Z.M. Salem, B.E. Borhami, J. Olivares and H.M. Gado et al.,2015Atriplex halimus) ensilaging with two developed enzyme cocktails on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation in sheep.]]>865158Salem, H.B. and T. Smith,200877174194Gurbuz, Y.,200943257264Gurbuz, Y. and D.R. Davies,2010101928El Shaer, H.M.,201091312Abarghuei, M.J., Y. Rouzbehan and D. Alipour,20101327379Abarghuei, M.J., Y. Rouzbehan and D. Alipour,2015in vitro organic matter digestibility and in situ disappearance of sheep.]]>595103Abdu, S.B., M.R. Hasan, H.Y. Adamu, S.M. Yashimi and M.J. Abdullahi,2012Acacia auriculate, Gmelina arborea, Albizia lebbeck and Butryospermum parkii by Yankasa bucks.]]>2121125Sharifi, M., A.A. Naserian and H. Khorasani,2013in vitro gas production.]]>3667671AOAC.,200415th Edn.,Warner, A.C.,196434339352van Soest, P.J., J.B. Robertson and B.A. Lewis,19917435833597SAS.,2004Hassanat, F. and C. Benchaar,2013Acacia and quebracho) and hydrolysable (chestnut and valonea) tannins on rumen fermentation and methane production in vitro.]]>93332339Toure, S.F., B. Michalet-Doreau, E. Traore, D. Friot and D. Richard,1998746378Frutos, P., G. Hervas, F.J. Giraldez and A.R. Mantecon,20042191202Carulla, J.E., M. Kreuzer, A. Machmller and H.D. Hess,2005Acacia mearnsii tannins decreases methanogenesis and urinary nitrogen in forage-fed sheep.]]>56961970Gebru, G., S. Belay, M. Kebede, A. Estifanos, N. Hagazi, T. Hagos and F. Drar,2016Acacia saligna (Labil) H.L. Wendi. leaves and wheat bran as alternative supplemental feed for sheep fattening in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.]]>5212219Ahmed, M.H., M.M.Y. Elghandour, A.Z.M. Salem, H.S. Zeweil, A.E. Kholif, A.V. Klieve and A.M.A. Abdelrassol,2015Trichoderma reesei or Saccharomyces cerevisiae on performance, ruminal fermentation, carcass characteristics and blood biochemistry of lambs fed Atriplex nummularia and Acacia saligna mixture.]]>1809097Ahmed, M.H., A.Z.M. Salem, H.S. Zeweil, X.Z. Sun, A.E. Kholif, M.Y. Elghandour and M.S.I. Bahar,201512819