Effect of spineless cactus [Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm Dyck] on nutrient intake, ingestive behaviour, and performance of lambs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of spineless cactus (SC) [Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm Dyck] on nutrient intake, ingestive behaviour, and performance of lambs in a feedlot. Thirty-two male (non-castrated) Santa Inês lambs with a mean initial body weigh...

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Published in:	Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências Vol. 95; no. 2; p. e20201412
Main Authors:	Bezerra, Sharleny B L, Véras, Róbson M L, Batista, Ângela M V, Guim, Adriana, Maciel, Michel DO V, Cardoso, Daniel B, Lima Júnior, Dorgival M DE, Carvalho, Francisco F R DE
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Brazil Academia Brasileira de Ciências 01-01-2023
Subjects:	Animal Feed - analysis Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena Animals Cactaceae cactus pear Diet - veterinary Dietary Fiber Digestion Eating forage cactus Male MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES Nopalea cochenillifera Sheep Sheep, Domestic water intake Nopalea cochenillifera cactus pear water intake forage cactus
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Summary:	The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of spineless cactus (SC) [Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm Dyck] on nutrient intake, ingestive behaviour, and performance of lambs in a feedlot. Thirty-two male (non-castrated) Santa Inês lambs with a mean initial body weight (BW) of 20.4 ± 2.60 kg were distributed across four levels of spineless cactus: zero, 24, 52, and 75% of total diet dry matter (DM). Over 56 days, the animals had their intake and performance monitored. The inclusion of SC influenced (p<0.05) in a quadratic way the dry matter intake and total digestible nutrients, but linearly decreased (p<0.05) the neutral detergent fiber intake. Drinking water intake decreased linearly (p<0.05) with the inclusion of SC in the diet. The inclusion of SC influenced (p<0.05) in a quadratic way the digestibility of organic matter in the diet. The increase in the level of SC in the diet increased linearly (p<0.05) the feeding and rumination efficiencies of the lambs. The maximum daily gain of 0.237 kg/day was achieved with 44% SC in the diet. It is recommended to include up to 40% of spineless cactus in the diet of lambs.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0001-3765 1678-2690 1678-2690
DOI:	10.1590/0001-3765202320201412