This work was carried out to evaluate the intake and apparent digestibility of nutrients in the diet with four replacement levels of corn (0, 25, 50 and 75%) by forage cactus meal. Sixteen lambs, averaging 30 months age and live weight (LW) of 40 kg, were allotted to a completely randomized experimental design. There was no effect of levels of replacement on the intake of nutrients, that were restricted at 2.5% of LW. There was no effect of levels of replacement on the coefficients of apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, ether extract and crude protein. The coefficient of apparent digestibility of acid detergent fiber linearly increased with the replacement of corn by forage cactus meal.
concentrate; digestibility; forage cactus; sheep
