Benefit from the association of small amounts of tannin-rich shrub foliage (Acacia cyanophylla Lindl.) with soya bean meal given as supplements to Barbarine sheep fed on oaten hay

Polyethylene glycol was here used to deactivate tannins. Hay intake and DM, organic matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibility were similar among dietary treatment (P > 0.05). However, supplementing lambs with SBM and acacia without PEG (D3) resulted in a significant decrease (P < 0.001) of CPD (0.664 versus 0.597, respectively for D1 and D3). Lambs given D1, D2 and D4 had similar growth rates (38.8-48.3 g/day) (P > 0.05). However, those supplemented with acacia without PEG (D3) had highest (P < 0.001) daily gain (66.7 g/day). The results of this study support the hypothesis that acacia could be used advantageously to improve sheep performance provided that appropriate TT to protein ratio is respected and the sequential strategy is adopted.