A comparison of rumen fermentation patterns in sheep and goats given a variety of diets

The rumen fermentation pattern was studied in mature, dry non‐pregnant Chios ewes and Damascus goats. They were fed one of five roughages: barley, lucerne or sudex hay, barley straw and acacia leaves and twigs alone and in combination with concentrates (1:1 ratio). Goats had significantly lower pH values when barley hay+ concentrate or sudex hay were fed. The level of ruminal NH 3 ‐N did not differ between species, but it was affected by source and level of dietary protein. The tungstic acid precipitable protein concentration (g litre −1 ) in rumen liquor was generally higher in goats than in ewes (6.1 versus 4.9). The molar proportions of individual VFA and total VFA concentration were significantly affected by diet but not by species.