Influence of Food Supplements on Chemical Composition of Raw Sheep's Milk

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of plant-based fat sources in sheep feed on the chemical composition of raw sheep milk from 210 Pramenka sheep in the Una-Sana Canton area. The research was conducted during three periods: winter, spring, and summer. The flock was divided into experimental and control groups. In each research period, the experimental groups received plant-based fat sources, specifically 3.5% extruded flaxseed added to their diet. The highest milk fat content was recorded during the summer period in the control group (7.66%). The average milk fat content in winter (6.06%) and summer (7.66%) showed higher values in the control group compared to the experimental group, with statistically highly significant differences (p<0.001). In the spring period, the milk fat content was higher in the experimental group (5.31%), also with a statistically highly significant difference (p<0.001). For lactose and dry matter parameters, the dietary period factor showed a highly significant statistical effect (p<0.001). The treatment factor for lactose also showed a highly significant statistical effect (p<0.001), as did the interaction between factors, while no statistical significance was observed for dry matter.

Keywords: sheep milk, chemical analysis, period, nutritional treatment