Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 November 2017
Due to binding tannin with protein and cellulose, it was hypothesized that pistachio hull tannin can decrease the digestibility of protein and cellulose. Pistachio Hull (PH) is the main pistachio by-product produced from the pistachio dehulling process. PH contained 12.7, 5.7, 16.6, 25, and 20% ash, EE, CP, NDF, and ADF, respectively. The nutritional responses to high levels of dried pistachio by-product in the diet have not been clearly researched. The main objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of feeding pistachio Hull at high levels on feed intake, ruminal pH, N-NH3 and blood metabolites in Balochi sheep.