PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BARKI EWES FED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH SODIUM CARBONATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE OR ACID BUF UNDER SIWA OASIS CONDITIONS

Twenty-eight Barki ewes were randomly assigned to evaluate the effects of various feed additives on productive performance. The ewes (during their final gestation phase and continuing through lactation) were distributed into four groups. The first group (control group) received a basal diet consisted of concentrate feed mixture and alfalfa hay (G1), the second group was given the control diet supplemented with 10 g/h/d of sodium bicarbonate and 10 g/h/d of sodium carbonate (G2), the third group was provided the control diet supplemented with 10 g/h/d of Acid Buf (G3). In comparison, the fourth group was fed the control diet supplemented with 10 g/h/d of sodium bicarbonate, 10 g/h/d of sodium carbonate, plus 10 g/h/d of Acid Buf (G4). The findings indicated that the supplemented ewes (G2, G3, and G4) had improved body weight and dry matter intake at different physiological stages compared to the control group (G1). Groups G3 and G4 demonstrated increased (P < 0.05) average daily milk yields of 21.5% and 20.2%, respectively, compared to the control group. The results of the lamb’s performance showed that G4 had a notably greater (P < 0.05) birth weight, approximately 13.4% higher than that of the control group. The lambs in the control group exhibited lower total and average gain compared to those in the supplemented groups. The digestion coefficients for dry and organic matter were enhanced in all treated groups, with G3 (AB group) showing the highest value. The ruminal pH and blood hematological parameters were in the standard and healthy ranges for Barki ewes. In summary, certain feed additives such as sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and Acid Buf positively influence the productive performance of Barki ewes in desert environments