Apparent digestibility of Cunhã (Clitoria ternatea Linn) hay at two maturity stages in sheep (Ovis aries L.)

Abstract

Twelve crossberd rams (Ovis aries L ), 17 months old, were assigned to a completely randomized digestion trial with two treatments to evaluate apparent digestibility of cunhâ hay (Clitoria ternatea L.) harvested at two different stages: A) 60 days and B) 90 days of maturity. Digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude fiber and ether extract, as well total digestible nutrients (TDN), were higher for the hay harvested at 90 days. However, digestibility of nitrogen free extract was better for the 60-day hay, whereas
crude protein digestibility did not differ between treatments. It was concluded that Cunhâ can be harvested at 90 days of growth.