Consumo, digestibilidade de nutrientes e comportamento ingestivo em ovinos alimentados com sal forrageiro de gliricídia (gliricídia sepium (jacq.)Walp)

Abstract

This study evaluated the intake, digestibility of nutrients and feeding behavior of Santa Ines crossbred sheep fed levels of fodder salt with Gliricídia (Gliricidia sepium (Jack.) Walp.). Twenty five not castrated male ovine placed in individual cages and distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates. Diets were offered the will containing 1, 3, 5 and 7% NaCl in the fodder salt. Animal also received grounded Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon sp) and water. Diets were offered twice. The levels of NaCl in the fodder salt did not provide difference (P>0,05) in dry matter (909,6g), neutral detergent fiber (761,8g), ether extract (35,3) and organic matter (843,4). However intake was higher when compared to control. For the consumption of crude protein and mineral salt, it effect linearly (P <0.05) with the inclusion of NaCl in the mixture. There was no difference in nutrient digestibility among treatments. Regarding the levels of blood urea nitrogen, showed no difference (P> 0.05) among treatments. The levels of NaCl in the fodde salt did not affect (P> 0.05) on the time spent eating, ruminating, idle and total chewing time. The eating efficiency, ruminating efficiency of dry matter and ruminating efficiency of neutral detergent fiber also showed no significant differences (P>0,05).