Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of protein, multiple, energy or mineral supplementation of sheep fed low-quality tropical forage on digestive, behavioral and intake parameters. The experiment lasted 56 days, divided into four periods of 14 days each. Four lambs, six months of age and with an initial body weight of 20 kg, were used. The animals were allocated to four individual pens equipped with drinking fountains and troughs in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Fresh Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu was used as fodder. Samples of leftovers and forage provided were collected on days 12, 13 and 14. Total fecal collection was done on days 13 and 14 of each experimental period (48 hours). The values of crude protein in the diet consumed and in fecal excretion were, respectively, 4.78, 5.19, 7.18 and 8.44% and 0.326, 0.315, 0.317 and 0.356 g/day for the mineral, energy, multiple and protein supplements. The protein supplement provides an increase in dietary nitrogen and increased fecal excretion, with possible effects on digestion rate and passage of digesta through the digestive tract.
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