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The voluntary intake of hay by sheep in relation to its degradability in the rumen as measured in nylon bags

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

F. D. DeB. Hovell ,
J. W. W. Nǵambi ,
W. P. Barber  and
D. J. Kyle
F. D. DeB. Hovell
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
J. W. W. Nǵambi
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen
W. P. Barber
Affiliation:
Feed Evaluation Unit, Drayton EHF, Alcester Road, Stratford-upon-Avon
D. J. Kyle
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
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Abstract

The voluntary intake and digestibility of four hays were measured with eight sheep using two 4 × 4 Latin squares. Measurements were made during the last 8 days of each 3-week period. The degradation characteristics of the hays were measured by incubating samples (in nylon bags) for 12, 24, 48 or 72 h in the rumen of four sheep fitted with rumen cannulae and given a good hay. The exponential p = a + b(1 − e−α) where p = degradation loss, t = time, and a, b and c are constants, was fitted. The potential degradability (defined as a + b) of the dry matter (DM) of the four hays was 0·76, 0·66, 0·54 and 0·46 with corresponding voluntary intakes of 71, 62, 52 and 45 ± 2·9 g DM per kg M075 per day. The in vivo digestibilities were 0·61, 0·59, 0·46 and 0·45 (s.e. 0·013) respectively and corresponded to 23-, 25-, 31- and 67-h degradation. Voluntary intake was better related to potential degradability (and degradability at 12, 24, 48 and 72 h) than to in vivo digestibility. It is concluded that the degradation characteristics of forages may have useful application in predicting voluntary intakes, and that potential degradability could be used to define the rumen (jegradable nitrogen content necessary with any particular forage.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 42 , Issue 1 , February 1986 , pp. 111 - 118
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1986

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