; "> This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ca soap of palm oil fatty acids (CSFA), as
a protected fat, on milk composition and the performance of both ewes and lambs.
Thirty-three crossbred ewes aged 2-3 years and weighed 41-44 kg were allocated in
three unequal groups for A, B &C (10, 12 &11 ewes, respectively). Group A was fed
a diet free from protected fat and kept as a control. Group B was fed a diet
containing 4 % fat and group C was given a diet containing 8 % fat. The ewes were
in the last month of pregnancy and the experiment extended till the end of late
lactation (4.5 months). Milk composition was tested, and body change in ewes and
nursing lambs was traced. Moreover, the effect of fat addition on dry matter intake
of ewes was analyzed. Results revealed a decrease in dry matter intake in the late
gestation and an increase in early lactation, with no significant differences in the
late lactation. The effect followed the amount of fat added. There was no effect on
ewe's body weight change or lamb's growth rate from birth to weaning. On milk
composition, there was an increase in fat %, higher in group B and total solids%,
while percentage of protein was decreased. Concerning fat supplementation, no
effect on lactose, urea milk nitrogen, and somatic cell counts was detected. There
was a decreased level of solids-not-fat in group B, while group C showed no
detectable alterations. In conclusion CSFA supplementation was effective to
increase the fat % and yield in milk of sheep especially at the rate of 4% of addition.