| Autor: |
Bezerra SBL; Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171-900 Recife, PE, Brazil., Véras RML; Universidade Federal do Agreste de Pernambuco, Rua Bom Pastor, s/n, Boa Vista, 55292-270 Garanhuns, PE, Brazil., Batista ÂMV; Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171-900 Recife, PE, Brazil., Guim A; Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171-900 Recife, PE, Brazil., Maciel MDV; Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Estrada Parintins-Macurany, Campus Parintins, 1805, Jacareacanga, 69152-470 Parintins, AM, Brazil., Cardoso DB; Universidade Federal do Agreste de Pernambuco, Rua Bom Pastor, s/n, Boa Vista, 55292-270 Garanhuns, PE, Brazil., Lima Júnior DM; Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Rua Francisco Mota Bairro, 572, Pres. Costa e Silva, 59625-900 Mossoró, RN, Brazil., Carvalho FFR; Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171-900 Recife, PE, Brazil. |
| Abstrakt: |
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of spineless cactus (SC) [Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm Dyck] on nutrient intake, ingestive behaviour, and performance of lambs in a feedlot. Thirty-two male (non-castrated) Santa Inês lambs with a mean initial body weight (BW) of 20.4 ± 2.60 kg were distributed across four levels of spineless cactus: zero, 24, 52, and 75% of total diet dry matter (DM). Over 56 days, the animals had their intake and performance monitored. The inclusion of SC influenced (p<0.05) in a quadratic way the dry matter intake and total digestible nutrients, but linearly decreased (p<0.05) the neutral detergent fiber intake. Drinking water intake decreased linearly (p<0.05) with the inclusion of SC in the diet. The inclusion of SC influenced (p<0.05) in a quadratic way the digestibility of organic matter in the diet. The increase in the level of SC in the diet increased linearly (p<0.05) the feeding and rumination efficiencies of the lambs. The maximum daily gain of 0.237 kg/day was achieved with 44% SC in the diet. It is recommended to include up to 40% of spineless cactus in the diet of lambs. |
