Effect of energy supplementation on intake, digestibility of diets and performance of grazing lambs during the rainy season

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate different energy sources in multiple supplements on performance, intake and digestibility of Santa Ines sheep grazing urochloa grass (Urochloa mosambicensis) during the rainy season. The experimental area was divided into seven paddocks of four-ha each, with an average of dry matter (DM) availability of 3213.45 kg/ha. A completely randomized design was carried out, in which there were four treatments, and each treatment was repeated six times. Twenty-four intact lambs (average: 32 kg of body weight) were supplemented with a mineral mixture, the control group (MM), mesquite pod meal (MPM), wheat bran (WB) or sorghum grain (SG) as energy sources. The digestibility of DM and crude protein (CP) in MPM, and WB is higher than in MM and SG groups. The DM digestibility was higher in the WB group; however, there was no difference between the other treatments. Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) digestibility was similar between supplemented lambs, and it was higher than the MM. The supplementation promoted higher weight gain than in the control group (0.125 vs. 0.61 g/day, respectively; P < 0.001). The supplementation increased the DM, and CP intake. The NDF intake only increased in the WB group. The CP digestibility was higher for the MPM and WB groups than for MM and SG ones (P < 0.001). Sheep supplementation in the rainy season increased the average daily gain (ADG). Any supplement tested in the present study can be used during the rainy season. The choice for the supplement will depend on the availability and costs of the supplement.