EWE DIET BASED ON A CACTUS-ATRIPLEX MIXTURE: IMPACT ON DIGESTIBILITY, FEEDING LEVELS, BLOOD GLUCOSE, BLOOD UREA, AND LAMB WEIGHT GAIN

Abstract

This study examines the viability of incorporating Opuntia ficus-indica and Atriplex halimus as alternative forage for Barbarine ewes in Algeria’s arid and semi-arid regions, with a focus on ewes in late pregnancy. Thirty-six Barbarine ewes were assigned to nine feeding diets: the control group (D1) received 0.5 kg barley and 1.8 kg barley straw, while experimental groups D2 to D6 were fed barley straw ad libitum with varying combinations of Opuntia and Atriplex (100% Opuntia, 75% Opuntia + 25% Atriplex, 50% Opuntia + 50% Atriplex, 25% Opuntia + 75% Atriplex, and 100% Atriplex). Groups D7, D8, and D9 were fed exclusively with barley straw, Atriplex, and Opuntia, respectively. The results showed that dry matter intake (DMI) and digestibility were notably higher in groups with mixed Opuntia and Atriplex diets (D3, D4, and D5), compared to groups fed solely Atriplex (D8) or barley straw (D7). Organic matter (OM) and crude fiber digestibility also improved significantly in groups with combined feed, while those fed 100% Opuntia or Atriplex showed reduced digestibility. Blood metabolite analysis revealed that glucose levels decreased significantly in D8, while cholesterol levels dropped significantly in D7 and D9 but increased in D8. Triglycerides decreased in D2, D3, D4, D5, D7, and D9, but increased in D8. Total protein and albumin were slightly reduced in D1, D3, D4, and D5, with blood urea and creatinine levels significantly lower in D7 and D9. Aspartate transferase (AST) and alanine transferase (ALT) enzymes showed significant reductions in D7 and D9 and an increase in D8. Plasma calcium and phosphorus also decreased significantly in D7, D8, and D9. For milk composition, ewes in D5 had the highest fat content, showing a significant increase over the control group, while protein content was highest in D5 as well. Additionally, lambs in the D5 group exhibited significant weight gain, indicating enhanced milk quality and nutritional sufficiency in these feeding regimes. The study concludes that mixed diets of Opuntia ficus-indica and Atriplex halimus, with barley straw ad libitum, offer a sustainable alternative for Barbarine pregnant ewes. These results indicate that such diets could improve digestibility, blood parameters, and milk production and lambs weight gain without adverse health effects, presenting an effective solution for livestock feeding in resource-limited, arid environments.