Acta Scientiarum: Animal Sciences (Dec 2022)

Replacing corn silage with extruded forage in sheep feeding

  • Débora Adriana de Paula Silva,
  • Matheus Borges Naves Loreno,
  • Erica Beatriz Schultz,
  • Marco Tulio Santos Siqueira,
  • Karla Alves Oliveira,
  • Gilberto de Lima Macedo Júnior

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4025/actascianimsci.v45i1.57397
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 45, no. 1

Abstract

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The objective was to evaluate levels of replacement of corn silage with extruded forage (Foragge®) in sheep feeding. Twenty adult Santa Inês ewes in maintenance, and 55.8 kg average weight were housed in metabolic cages, and the treatments consisted of 20, 40, 60 and 80% replacement of corn silage with Foragge® extruded forage with 60% Uruchloa brizantha in the diet. The design was completely randomized, with regression analysis and non-parametric analysis at 5% probability. The supply of up to 80% extruded roughage to replace corn silage increased dry matter intake and digestibility, and fecal output in dry matter (p 0.05). However, it reduced the concentration of uric acid (p < 0.05). Foragge® extruded roughage can replace corn silage by up to 80% with changes in intake, digestibility, fecal parameters, ingestive behavior and concentration of uric acid and urea, with no modifications in urinary parameters and energy metabolites.

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