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Feeding behavior of goats fed with different NDF levels

The feeding behavior was evaluated in lactating goats fed diets with different levels of NDF (neutral detergent fiber) 49, 54, 59, 64, and 69%, in function of different levels of WBG (wet brewery grains) 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. Five goats Boer x Saanen and five Saanen goats were randomly distributed in two 5x5 latin squares. The used roughage tifton hay in a roughage:concentrate rate of 60:40. The feeding times, idle time, and rumination time were evaluated each 20 minutes during 24 hours. The feeding behavior was not influenced by genotypes. The feeding times and idles times were not affected by increasing NDF levels, however, the rumination time and total chewing time had growing linear effect with increase of NDF levels in which the levels 49 and 64% showed shorter rumination time than 69% NDF, 218, 268, and 366min respectively. It decreased the feeding, rumination and chewing efficiency (min/kg DM and NDF). It was concluded that WBG can be used as a source of effective fiber in diets of goats.

goat; effective fiber; rumination time; wet brewery grains


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