Use of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) as forage in the diet of small ruminants
Filipa Inês Pitacas
, Carlos Manuel Gaspar Reis
, António M. Rodrigues
Abstract: The use of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller) has proven to be a viable alternative for feeding small ruminants, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. It serves as an accessible source of water and nutrients, partially replacing more expensive and less available feeds, especially during periods of feed scarcity. This review examines the nutritional value and chemical composition of cactus pear cladodes and their application in small ruminant feeding. Additionally, general aspects related to planting systems, biomass production, and cladode storage are discussed. Three examples of diets incorporating Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes in small ruminant feeding are presented: Assaf sheep breed, fattening lamb, and Saanen goat breed. In these diets, the proportion of fresh O. ficus-indica cladodes varied between 51.3% and 79.2%. A literature review was conducted to evaluate the impact of cactus pear cladodes on meat and milk production and quality.
In general, O. ficus-indica cladodes exhibit low levels of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). However, they are an excellent source of energy, rich in non-fibrous carbohydrates, and have a high DM digestibility. Given the importance of DM, CP, and NDF in ruminant nutrition and the high-water content of cladodes, O. ficus-indica can be effectively integrated into diets when animals have access to dry forage and a high-CP feed source. The use of O. ficus-indica represents a promising option for feeding small ruminants, offering a sustainable solution to reduce dependence on imported feeds and contributing to a lower carbon footprint, without compromising meat and milk production or quality.
Keywords: animal nutrition; cactus pear; cladodes; diets; forage; prickly pear
Citation: Pitacas, F. I., Reis, C. M. G. & Rodrigues, A. M. (2026). Use of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) as forage in the diet of small ruminants. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 32(3), 728–740
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