Open AccessFeeding behavior of lambs fed diets containing old man saltbush hay
Author(s) -
Greicy-Mitzi Bezerra-Moreno,
Hirasilva Borba,
Gherman G Leal-de-Araújo,
Luis-Gabriel Alves-Cirne,
Oscar Boaventura-Neto,
Salete Alves-de-Moraes,
Gleidson-Giordano Pinto-de-Carvalho,
Dorgival M. de Lima-Júnior,
Douglas dos-Santos-Pina
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
revista colombiana de ciencias pecuarias/revista colombiana de ciencias pecuarias
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.255
H-Index - 14
eISSN - 2256-2958
pISSN - 0120-0690
DOI - 10.17533/udea.rccp.v34n4a03
Subject(s) - hay , feedlot , zoology , biology , alfalfa hay , dry matter , rumen , food science , fermentation
Background: We hypothesized that a diet with old man saltbush hay used as an alternative source of nutrients could partially replace the concentrate in the feeding of feedlot lambs. Objective: This study evaluated the behavior and performance of lambs fed diets containing increasing levels of old man saltbush hay plus concentrate. Methods: Twenty-four castrated Santa Inês lambs at approximately eight months of age (22 ± 1.97 kg) were confined in a randomized complete design and fed diets containing 30, 40, 50, and 60% (dry matter: DM) of old man saltbush hay. Results: The intake of DM and neutral detergent fiber was not affected (p>0.05) by the level of old man saltbush hay. Intake of mineral salt decreased (p<0.01) as the proportion of old man saltbush in the diet increased. Weight gain (kg) and feed efficiency worsened (p<0.05) with 40% inclusion of old man salt bush hay. The time spent on feeding and chewing increased (p<0.05), while idle time was reduced (p<0.01) with dietary inclusion of old man saltbush. Feed efficiency decreased (p<0.05) with the inclusion of old man saltbush. Conclusion: Dietary inclusion of old man saltbush affects the feeding behavior and performance of lambs in feedlot.