Imad Alhorani *¹

1 Scientific Center for Agricultural Research in Homs, GSCAR,Syria, .

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Imad Alhorani. E-Mail: imad_horani2000@yahoo.com ).

Received: 16/ 06/ 2024        Accepted: 16/ 09/ 2024

Abstract: 

The experiment was conducted in the rugged western countryside of Homs Governorate in 2020 on 20 heads of Awassi sheep, similar in age and weight, with the aim of studying the effect of adding Spineless cactus in the concentrated ration of Awassi sheep. The experimental animals were divided into two identical groups, with a weight of 36.48±0.35 kg and 36.14±0.28 kg. The first group was fed (The witness) received a concentrated diet consisting of (65% barley + 15% cotton meal + 19% bran), while part of the diet of the second group was replaced with Spineless cactus based on protein, so it was (56% barley + 14% meal + 19% bran +10% cactus) and free grazing for both groups.The results showed that the control group was superior to the Spineless cactus group in total weight gained by 0.17±43.21 kg and 42.81±0.22 kg for the two groups, respectively. The control group also excelled in the daily growth rate, 149.55 kg and 148.22 kg for the control and Spineless cactus groups, respectively, but this superiority was not significant. At a degree of (0.05). While there was a strong convergence in the average daily feed consumption, 1094 g/day and 1088 g/day for the control group and the Spineless cactus group, respectively, and thus the conversion factor was 7.32 & 7.34 kg feed/kg weight gain respectively. The results also showed good palatability of smooth Spineless cactus by the sheep. . Accordingly, we can conclude that it is possible to add smooth Spineless cactus to the rations of Awassi sheep, which would help provide an unconventional fodder source instead of concentrated rations without any negative impact on the animals.

Keywords: Spineless cactus, Awassi sheep, fodder alternativesqualitative loss, quantitative loss, tuber damage index.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF