Abstract
ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of lemongrass essential oil (LEO) addition during the ensiling and subsequent sheep feed intake, particle selection, in vitro rumen fermentation, total-tract apparent digestibility and nitrogen balance. Eight Dorper lambs 19.4±2.40 (mean±SD) kg of body weight were used in a trial using a 4 × 4 Latin Square design to evaluate: I. LEO addition during the whole-plant sorghum ensiling: 0 (EN−) and 4 (EN+) mL per kg of sorghum dry matter (DM); and II. LEO supply during the animals feeding: 0 (F−) and 1.6 (F+) mL per kg of diet DM. Treatments showed no effect on feed intake and particle size selection. Ensiling with LEO increased ammonia-N when LEO was not added during incubation. LEO addition during incubation decreased neutral detergent fibre (NDF) degradation when LEO was not added during the ensiling. In addition, LEO addition increased fermentation gas production and decreased digestibility. LEO addition in sheep feeding tended to decrease crude protein digestibility. Treatments did not affect nitrogen balance and the average daily gain. Thus, LEO supply during ensiling and sheep feeding does not affect feed intake, particle selection and nitrogen balance.
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