Estimativa do consumo e digestibilidade da matéria seca e dos nutrientes em dietas para ovinos

Abstract

The objective was to estimate consumption and digestibility in diets for sheep raised in the northeastern semi-arid region. It is worth noting that production systems aim to reduce food costs, using nutritional resources available in the region. The balanced nutritional management adopted in livestock activities is responsible for approximately 70% of production costs. So, due to the great importance that the sheep production chain presents to rural producers, acting in the supply of animal protein shortage, since they produce meat and milk of excellent flavor and quality, it is important to have knowledge about consumption and digestibility which are essential parameters within sheep feeding systems. Therefore, to estimate the consumption of dry matter and nutrients for sheep, it is necessary to evaluate all factors that interfere with intake, from environmental conditions to the physiological state of the animals. To determine the digestibility of nutrients, it is important to assess what type of food is being fed to the animals, as digestibility is a parameter that varies according to the diet provided.