Nutrient intake and utilisation in sheep fed with prickly pear cactus

The nutritive value of prickly pear cactus (Opuntiaspp.) was assessed on 18 adult rams divided into three equal groups fed either (i)Cenchrus ciliarishay to appetite plus 200 g concentrate (G1), (ii) chopped cactus andCenchrus ciliaris(G2), and (iii) chopped cactus andSorghum helepense(G3in a cafeteria system.Opuntia-fed groups G2and G3consumed 6•31 and 4•21 kg fresh cactus daily, amounting to 79 and 54% of dry matter intake, respectively. The cactus-fed G2and G3consumed less (p<0•01) drinking water. Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and crude protein, and nutritive value were higher (p<0•01) in G1and G3than G2. G1animals maintained weight and those in G2and G3lost weight. It is concluded thatOpuntiais highly palatable and dry conserved fodder can sustain sheep during scarcity.