Consumo e digestibilidade de nutrientes em ovinos alimentados com sal forrageiro de faveleira [Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus (Muell. Arg.) Pax et k. Hoffman]

Abstract

This study evaluated the intake and digestibility of nutrients by sheep fed with increasing levels of fodder salt with faveleira [Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus (Muell Arg.) Pax et K. Hoffman]. Twenty five not castrated male ovine mongrel placed in individual cages of 1m² and distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates. Diets were offered the will containing 1, 3, 5 and 7% sodium chloride in the fodder salt. Animal also received grounded Tifton-85 (Cynodon sp), hay and water. Diets were offered twice. The diets were offered twice daily. The levels of sodium chloride in the fodder salt faveleira provided higher dry matter intake (P<0.05) in the treatments where animals received fodder salt with 1 and 3 % sodium chloride in the composition. For the dietary constituents, neutral detergent fiber, crude protein, ether extract and non-fibrous carbohydrates, showed higher consumption (P<0.05) for all treatments compared to the control. There were difference in nutrient digestibility for all treatments (P<0.05) of dry matter and nutrients studied, when compared to the control treatment. It is recommended to include up to 3% sodium chloride in the composition of the fodder salt faveleira to increase the dry matter intake. The level of 1% sodium chloride showed better digestibility.