An-Najah Staff

This research was conducted to investigate the performance of lactating Awassi ewes when fed the hydroponic barley (HB). HB is fresh forage cultivated without soil or nutrients as fertilizers in part of the experiment and cultivated with raw olive cake as a media in the other. Barley seeds utilized in the research were cultivated in special trays for germination. At one part barley seeds were placed in these trays alone while in the other parts half of the barley seeds were placed on a thin layer of olive cake as a media for germination. For the performance study a total of 20 lactating Awassi ewes were used. The research was based on five feeding groups. In the first ewes were fed a barley basal ration. In the second and third groups, HB was incorporated in rations at levels of 15 and 25%. In the fourth and fifth groups HBOC was fed to ewes at levels of 15 and 25%. The experimental forage was used to replace concentrated feed and part of barley that used in the ration of the control ewes. Milk production and milk components were monitored in this research. Body weight change, health problems, fertility and twin percent were also investigated. Results of the research showed that HB alone and with OC (HBOC) had various effects on most of the tested parameters. The HB and HBOC mass produced were 10 and 12 kg/ tray. Milk yield and milk total solids All Rights Reserved - Library of University of Jordan - Center of Thesis Deposit were the highest (P<0.05) in ewes fed 25% of HB and HBOC. Milk protein and fat had increased (P<0.05) as a result of feeding the high level of HB and the two levels of HBOC. The body weight change was increased (P<0.05) in ewes fed the two levels of HB and the low level of HBOC. Both conception rate and twin percentages were improved in ewes fed the forage. No health problems were observed in ewes. These results indicated the importance of this forage as fresh forage in ewes’ rations.