THE IMPACT OF ALTERNATIVE FODDER (ATRIPLEX Halimus AND CACTUS Ficus Indica) ON BARBARINE EWES'S MILK QUALITY

The research is part of a broader investigation into the impact of various diets, specifically designed with Atriplex halimus and Opuntia Ficus Indica, on multiple factors concerning Barbarine ewes in a semi-arid area of southeastern Algeria. The goal was to assess whether these two plants could offer effective sustainable solutions for addressing drought in the region. This experimental study aimed to investigate the impact of alternative forage such as Opuntia Ficus Indica and Atriplex halimus on milk composition, specifically protein and fat content, in Barbarine ewes within a semi-arid region of Southeast Algeria. A cohort of 24 Barbarine ewes in the lactation phase was enrolled in the study. The subjects were stratified into six distinct groups, each containing four animals, encompassing a control regimen and diets featuring Cactus Inerme, Atriplex halimus, and a combination of both. The control group's diet comprised 0.45 kg of barley and 1.8 kg of barley straw (Control). Contrarily, ewes in the experimental groups (T1 to T5) were provided with barley straw ad libitum along with the following compositions: 100% cactus (T1), 75% cactus + 25% Atriplex (T2), 50% cactus +50% Atriplex (T3), 25% cactus + 75% Atriplex (T4), and 100% Atriplex (T5). Analysis of the results indicated that the treatment group T4 exhibited the highest milk fat content, approaching statistical significance in comparison to the control group, whereas treatment group T1 displayed the lowest mean. Moreover, protein content was notably higher in T4 and T5 than in T3 and T2, with treatment group T1 recording the lowest mean. These results provide valuable insights into the effects of these specific substitute diets on the quality of milk in Barbarine ewes, especially within the context of the semi-arid environments in Algeria.