Effect of partial replacement of Dichanthium spp. hay with Guazuma ulmifolia foliage on hair lambs’ intake, digestibility, and blood metabolites

Abstract

Extensive livestock management is a common practice in the dry tropics. However, summer conditions can cause high fiber and low protein concentrations, even in grasses adapted to tropical soils, such as Angleton (Dichanthium spp.), widely used in producing small ruminants. On the other hand, Guacimo (Guazuma ulmifolia) is a tree that overcomes high temperatures and hydric stress. This research evaluated the effect of replacing Angleton with four foliage levels of Guacimo on hair lambs’ intake, digestibility, and blood metabolites. Twelve male hair lambs with an average of 22.0 ± 1.3 kg of body weight were used in an experimental 4 × 4 square design. Treatments were as follows: 100 % Angleton hay; 85 % Angleton hay + 15 % Guacimo foliage; 70 % Angleton hay + 30 % Guacimo foliage, and 55 % Angleton hay + 45 % Guacimo foliage. Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake, as well as CP digestibility and glucose concentrations, increased linearly as the level of Guacimo rose (P > 0.05). Guacimo foliage improves intake, blood metabolites, and in vivo digestibility of DM and can be used to replace part of the hay in lamb rations.