REPLACEMENT OF TIFTON 85 HAY WITH MANIÇOBA HAY IN THE SPINELESS CACTUS DIET OF SHEEP1 2

Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing Tifton 85 hay with maniçoba hay in diets based on spineless cactus on the nutrient intake and digestibility, ingestive behaviour and ruminal parameters of confined sheep. In order to do this, eight male sheep with ruminal cannulae were used, distributed across four levels (0, 333, 666 and 1.000 g kg-1 of dry matter) of replacement of Tifton 85 hay with maniçoba hay in a double Latin square experimental design. The animals were confined for 60 days divided into four periods of 15 days. The replacement of Tifton 85 hay with maniçoba hay did not influence the dry matter intake or digestibility. However, it influenced in a positive linear fashion the intake of non-fibrous carbohydrates and in a linear negative fashion the digestibility of insoluble fibre in neutral detergent and crude protein. The ruminal ammonia-nitrogen and the crude protein ruminal content decreased linearly with the replacement of Tifton 85 hay with maniçoba hay. There was no effect of hay replacement on the production of volatile fatty acids or the microbial biofilm. The total replacement Tifton 85 by maniçoba hay in spineless cactus diets for sheep did not influence total digestible nutrient intake, volatile fatty acid production or biofilm, but did affect crude protein digestibility, ammonia-nitrogen and crude protein content in the rumen. Therefore, maniçoba hay can replace 300 g kg-1 grass hay in spineless cactus diets for sheep without compromising intake and ruminal parameters.