Abstract
Some woody forage plants are a significant source of nutrients for small ruminants grazing Mediterranean systems during summer. We quantified DMI (g kg −1 BW 0.75 day −1), DMD (%) and utilization of nutrients of oriental hornbeam ( Carpinus orientalis Mill.) and manna ash ( Fraxinus ornus L.) browse by goats and sheep. Intake and digestibility were numerically higher for goats fed both browse species, but significant difference ( P < 0.05) was found only in oriental hornbeam. Sheep fed oriental hornbeam consumed similar ( P < 0.05) amounts of N to goats and higher ( P < 0.05) amounts of manna ash. Goats digested N more efficiently (55.7 vs. 41.7%; P < 0.05) than sheep and N retention was greater for oriental hornbeam (4.7 vs. 2.6g day −1; P < 0.05) but similar with manna ash (2.7g day −1 vs. 3.8g day −1; P > 0.05). No significant differences were detected for DE and DE minus urinary energy between goats (1.9 Mcal day −1 and 1.6 Mcal day −1, respectively) and sheep (1.9 Mcal day −1 and 1.7 Mcal day −1, respectively). Foliage of oriental hornbeam and manna ash have the potential to be an effective source of protein for small ruminants during the dry Mediterranean summer.
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