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Effect of time of supplementary feeding on intake, apparent digestibility and rumen fermentation of grass hay by sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

M. D. Carro ,
A. R. Mantecón ,
I. A. Wright  and
I. J. Gordon
M. D. Carro
Affiliation:
Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB9 2QJ
A. R. Mantecón
Affiliation:
Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB9 2QJ
I. A. Wright
Affiliation:
Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB9 2QJ
I. J. Gordon
Affiliation:
Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB9 2QJ
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Abstract

Effects of time of supplementation on forage intake, nutrient apparent digestibility and rumen fermentation were studied with 12 mature castrated male sheep (wethers) offered grass hay from 16.30 h to 09.30 h and supplemented with a cereal-based concentrate given at either 09.30 or 16.00 h. Voluntary intake of hay organic matter (OM) was decreased by feeding the concentrate (P < 0·01). Offering concentrate at 09.30 h after hay was available, increased intake of hay and total OM compared with offering it at 16.00 h before hay was available (P < 0·05). Daily pattern of hay intake was not changed when concentrate was offered at 09.30 h compared with feeding hay alone, but concentrate given at 16.00 h resulted in a lower hay intake between 16.30 and 18.00 h. Sheep offered concentrate at 09.30 h had higher rumen ammonia levels than those offered concentrate at 16.00 h, but there were no differences in the apparent digestibility of the nutrients, rumen pH and molar proportions of the main volatile fatty acids. There were also no differences between groups in the blood plasma concentrations of 3-hydroxybutyrate (30HB), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and glucose. It is concluded that feeding supplement after rather than before a period of intake of forage or a bout of grazing may offer a means of minimizing reduction of forage intake as a consequence of feeding concentrate.

Keywords

concentratedigestioneating patternhaysheep
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 59 , Issue 2 , October 1994 , pp. 217 - 222
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1994

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