The Effect of the utilization of a high fibre pelleted feed on milk yield and composition in dairy sheep

Twenty Sardinian lactating ewes were divided in four groups (A, B, C, D) and fed with four diets, obtained mixing a pelleted fibre integrator (PFI) and a normal pelleted concentrate (NPC) in different proportions (NPC/PFI: A = 27/73; B = 42/58; C = 58/42; D = 73/27). The intake was 123, 122, 114 and 135 g of DM per kg of metabolic weight. The ewes were able to choose between the two type of pellets. The chewing time per kg of DM decreased with the reduction of PFI content in the diet. The ewes were always able to maintain a regular ruminal activity. There were no significant differences in the milk yield, milk fat content, SCC and body weight variations, while the milk protein content was higher in the group B.