Torta de dendê (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq.), em substituição ao concentrado a base de milho e farelo de soja, na alimentação de cabras em lactação

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate intake, milk yield and ingestive behavior of crosses of Saanen an Alpina goats fed pallm kernel cake as a replacement for the standard corn and soyabean concentrate. Sixty- day -old lactating capras with an average live weight of 44.6 kg were used. Animals were fed ad libitum on an isoproteic diet (13% crude protein) and a 50:50 roughage/ concentrate ratio. Tifton hay was fed as the roughage portion of the diet. Water in the individual drinking troughs was changed in the morning and replenished in the afternoon. Treatments consisted of 5 substitution levels (20; 40, 60 and 80%) in a 5x5 Latin square design. Daily intake was calculated as the difference between the total amount of feed offered and feed refused. Goats were milked at 7:30 and 15:00 every day, and milk was weighed daily in a digital scale. To determine feeding, rumination, and idle time animals were observed at 10 minute intervals during 24 hours. Results show that the addition of palm kernel cake as replacement of the standard concentrate had a negative effect on feeding an rumination. The milk production of goats of low productivity, is not affected by the use of palm kernel cake in replacement to concentrate up to 80% replacement. The time that animals spend on food is not influenced with the inclusion of palm kernel cake by 80%. Levels of palm kernel cake up to 80% in substitution the concentrate decreases the dry matter intake affects negatively the efficiency feeding and rumination.