In the experiment two Akkaraman sheep, one of which was rumen fistulated the other one was rumen cannulated were used. They were fed with alfalfa hay and water ad. libitum.

The samples of the rumen content were obtained with a plactis tube through the fistula and cannula. pH was immediately measured electrometrically. After fixing of the rumen contents in formalin the ciliate pmtozoa numbers and the differential protozoa counts were determined.

pH values of the rumen contents were found to be highest before feeding, decreased at the 3 rd hour, later dropped to a lowest level at the 6 th hour after feeding.

The protozoa counts per ml of the rumen content showed a parellelism to the declination in pH values.

Totaly five species of protozoa were identified throughout the study. These were Isotricha, Entodinium, Diplodinium, Epidinium and Ophryoscolex.