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Impact of Incorporating Cactus, Argan, and Carob By-Products into Sheep Diets on Milk Quality and Lamb Growth
 
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1
Vegetable and Microbial Biotechnology, Biodiversity and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, avenue Ibn Battuta 4 PB 1014, Rabat, Morocco
 
2
INRA, RCAR-Rabat, P.O.Box 6570, Rabat Institutes, 10101, Rabat, Morocco
 
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Department of Biology, University Ibn Tofail, Faculty of Sciences Kénitra, P.O. Box 242, Kénitra, Morocco
 
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Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Tadla, National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principal, 10090 Rabat, Morocco
 
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Environmental, Ecological, and Agro-Industrial Engineering Laboratory, LGEEAI, Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), Sultane Moulay Slimane University (USMS)23000, BeniMellal, Morocco
 
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Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute in Rabat, Doping Control Laboratory, Morocco
 
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Higher School of Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, PB170, 54000, Khenifra, Morocco
 
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Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, 40100, Pakistan
 
 
Corresponding author
Salah Laaraj   

Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Tadla, National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principal, Rabat 10090, Morocco
 
 
Ecol. Eng. Environ. Technol. 2024; 12
 
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ABSTRACT
This study set out to examine how feeding local ewes a diet including cactus fruit waste, or "cactus silage," affected their milk production and quality and how well their lambs did while nursing. On a farm, researchers studied the feeding habits of the Sardi breed, a native sheep species. The animals were divided into two groups; one was given a standard diet (CD) and the other cactus silage (SD). We tracked the milk production every day and analyzed the milk composition features every week. There was a 14.8% increase in milk yield, with the SD diet producing an average of 31.15 kg and the CD diet 27.14 kg. A significantly significant difference (p<0.05) in SD was seen in the average daily gain (ADG) of lambs during the lactation period when contrasted with the CD lot. In contrast to the CD lot 154 g/d ADG, the SD lot was 199 g/d. With the exception of fat content, which shown more variability for both treatments (P<0.05), the treatments did not impact the density, freezing point, or protein levels of the milk samples. There was significant fluctuation in the physicochemical properties of ewe's milk over the weeks of lactation, with values ranging from very high (p<0.001) to very high (p<0.01). Cactus silage (SD) may be a good alternative to the conventional feed for female sheep, according to the research, since it has no discernible negative impact on their productivity. Cactus silage is a cost-effective alternative to other feeds for sheep in arid regions, thus it's reasonable to consider it.
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