Feeding behaviour of Comisana rams as affected by crude protein level of concentrate

Abstract

Two groups of 10 Comisana rams at maintenance were fed hay and two concentrates characterized by different CP levels (20% H and 13% L). During two experimental periods, two types of hay were given: a poor-quality mixed hay from a weedy vetch and barley sward, and a good-quality sorghum hay. Dry matter intake was higher with the low-quality hay (on average: 2494.7 g per day versus 2133.1 g per day). The protein level of concentrates gave rise to different reactions in the animals in relation to the type of hay administered: with the mixed hay, no significant differences in intake were observed between the two groups (2505.0 and 2484.5 g per day, respectively, for H and L groups); with the sorghum hay, the group receiving the higher protein concentrate significantly reduced intake (2094.3 g per day versus 2171.9 g per day; P<0.05). The variations in intake caused by the two concentrates and the two hays did not result in similar variations in the ram performance.