The digestibility of palm oil was studied in sheep maintained on diets with similar ingredients over a 35 day period of acclimatization. Statistically significant differences were noted- in feed intake (P<0.05) between the basal and fat-supplemented diets. Corrected digestibility of palm oil calculated from the feed intake and faecal output of fats on both the basal and fat-supplemented diets and from a determination of endogenous faecal fat gave a value of 85.4 per cent. The digestible energy value of palm oil was calculated to be 33.6 MJ/kg. Chromatographic analysis demonstrated a marked increase in the faecal palmitic and stearic acids. Fat supplementation significantly reduced (P<0.05) the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude fibre, ash and energy digestibility. The possible reasons for this depression are discussed. The addition of an anionic agent to alleviate crude fibre digestibility produced no advantage. The potential value of palm oil in diets for ruminants is emphasised. 

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