Lactation performance of Awassi ewes fed diets containing either Atriplex halimus L. or olive cake

Abstract

The objective of the two studies was to evaluate t effects of feeding on lactating Awassi ewes (study 1) and lambs (study 2), fed on a diet of Atriplex halimus L. (ATR) or olive cake (OC), as a foraging source substitute for wheat straw. In study 1, 33 newly lambed ewes and their lambs were randomly assigned one of three diets: The control diet (CON), 250 g/kg of OC, or 250 g/kg of ATR dry matter (DM). Ewes and lambs were housed in individual pens. Ewes fed CON diet had greater DM, neutral detergent fibre, and acid detergent fibre intakes than OC and ATR groups. Ether extract (EE) intake was greater (p