Hassoun et al., 1990. Livest. Res. Rural Dev., 2 (2): 23-31

The study carried out in Tunisia, intended to demonstrate that the manufacture of blocks could be done without molasses or with low amounts. More than thirty different formulae were tested, including the classical ingredients of molasses-urea blocks (urea, molasses, salt, cement, lime, cereal bran) and some locally available by- products (poultry litter, olive cake, leaves and branches of olive tree, tomato and beet pulps). The procedure for making these blocks is almost the same as for making molasses-urea blocks. Ten formulae have been selected according to the hardness and the compactness of the blocks estimated after the drying period. Short tests have been carried out with adult ewes to assess the palatability of some of the selected formulae. The animals accepted the block and licked or bit it. This first study having given good results, needs to be developped in order to improve the technique and to measure, on longer periods, the effects of the blocks on the animals.