Apparent digestibility of diets with different roughage/ concentrate ratios with sheep

Abstract

Apparent digestibility of soybean meal/corn and coast cross hay was studied with different ratios of hay and concentrate: A - 40%; B = 60%; C = 80% and D = 100% hay. Twelve male sheep were kept in metabolic cages with bags for total faeces collection. At the adjustment and collection period animals received 80% of ad libitum intake, observed previously. Average digestion coefficients were: DM 68,11%, 63,92%, 59,22% and 64,60%; CP 61,01%, 66,04%, 73,60% and 72,92%; CF 52,56%, 53,66%, 56,22% and 57,19%; EE 71,49%, 59,21%, 57,90% and 57,98%; ENN 74,40%, 69,83%, 58,56% and 70,40%, respectively, for A, B, C and D treatments. Results forTDN were A= 62,15%, B= 57,72%, C= 52,04% and D= 55,77%. DM and NNE digestibility presented quadratic regressions (p < 0,01). TDN values presented no significant differences among treatments. Digestibilities of CP and CF increased linearly, with higher levels of roughage in the diets.