Voluntary intake by sheep fed diets with dried wine grapes byproduct

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the voluntary intake of sheep fed diets with forage cactus in natura, dried wine grapes byproduct (DWG) and urea levels in dry matter (DM). Sixteen Santa Inês sheep, not castrated, mean body weight of 37kg, ageing 11 months, were used. Diets were formulated for 60% DWG, 40% forage cactus and urea levels at 0, 1, 2 and 3% in DM. Diets were offered in separated feeders, to evaluate de selective behavior of animals and intake of each feed. A completely randomized design was used with two experimental periods, consisting of fifteen days for adaptation and five days for samples collection. At the end of the second period, there were four treatments and eight replicates for each treatment. DWG byproduct and urea levels and forage cactus in natura, offered in separated feeders, favored the selective behavior and intake of the animals. The inclusion up to 2% of urea in DM of these diets could increase the nutrients intake.