Nutrient intake, feeding behavior and performance of sheep fed hay of tropical grasses at different cutting intervals

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Andropogon, Buffel and Massai on different intervals cuts of intake, ingestion behavior and sheep performance. The experimental design was completely randomized. The treatments were arranged in 3x4 factorial (Andropogon, Buffel and Massai x cut intervals of 21, 35, 49 and 63 days). The interaction between the grasses and the intervals was not significant for any of the studied variables. The highest intakes of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and lignin were for Massai hay, 3.62; 0.48; 2.03 and 0.22% of the live weight, respectively. At 63 days interval, the highest consumption of lignin and lowest crude protein, 0.20 and 0.42%, respectively, were observed. The lowest daily gain (121.1g/day) and final weight gain (17,6kg) were of Buffel fed animals. There was no difference in feeding time and time, with mean time removed from 4.5 and 11.7h day-1, respectively. Hays of Massai and Andropogon promote greater dry matter intake and performance of sheep in confinement, while the cut intervals up to 63 days does not modify these responses.