The experiment was conducted to evaluate the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradation kinetics and different models to estimate the passage rate in steers fed diets with 15.0% of broiler litter associated to two levels of a supplement based on bovine lyophilized ruminal microbiota (0 and 10 g/animal•day). Four steers with ruminal and abomasal fistulae were allotted to a completely randomized experiment. The passage rate was determined using chromium complexed to the cellular wall of the coast cross hay, as a marker, and the degradability, by means of the nylon bag technique. The mathematical models were evaluated by means of standardized deviations and of the number run signals. The daily intake of 10 g of the supplement per animal did not affect the passage rate and ruminal degradation. The passage kinetics had a time-dependent behavior. The Dhanoa model showed to be the most efficient in the determination of the parameters related to the passage rate.
broiler litter; degradability; microbiota; mathematical models; rate of passage
