R. Bras. Zootec.01/Dec/2004;33(6 Sup..1):1909-19.
Inclusion of broiler litter in forage cactus based diets (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) for lactating crossbred cows. 2. Apparent digestibility
DOI: 10.1590/S1516-35982004000700030
The coeficients of apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADDM), organic matter (ADOM), crude protein (ADCP), ether extract (ADEE), total carboidrates (ADTCHO), nonfiber carboidrates (ADNFC), neutral (ADNDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADADF), were determined to evaluate the effect of diferents inclusions of broiler litter (0, 10, 20 and 30% in dry matter basis), with 45% forage cactus associaded to sugar cane bagasse, urea and cottonsead meal, using the method of indigestible acid detergent fiber as intern indicator to estimate fecal dry matter production. The dietary observed energy value were compared to the value predicted by NRC (2001). Eigth lactating 5/8 crossbred Holstein/Zebu cows with 420 kg of LW and production of 15 kg/day, were assigned to tratament sequences in a replicated 4X4 latin square with four periods, four animals and four levels of broiler in the ration. No significant effect of increasing broiler litter level was observed on ADDM, ADOM, ADEE, ADTCHO, ADNDF, ADADF. However, the ADCP and ADNFC decreased linearly. The NRC (2001) equations for estimation of total digestible nutrients overestimated the observed values.
Keywords: cottonsead meal; dairy cows; non-protein nitrogen