Digestibility, rumen kinetics, and blood metabolites in lambs fed Samanea saman and Cordia dentata

Abstract

Colombian sheep production is carried out in extensive pastures with a low percentage of protein and high fiber levels that lead to low weight gains. The aim of this study was to evaluate intake, digestibility, rumen kinetics, and blood metabolites in hair lambs fed Samanea saman and Cordia dentata. Twelve hair lambs were distributed in an experimental 4x4 Latin square design, with four treatments and four experimental periods. Treatments were T1:100 % Dichanthium spp hay, T2: 80 % Dichanthium spp hay, 20 % S. saman, T3: 80 % Dichanthium spp hay, 20 % C. dentata, T4: 80 % Dichanthium spp hay, 10 % S. saman, and 10 % C. dentata. The highest nutrients intakes were obtained with diets containing tree foliage compared with the T1 diet (p< 0,05). In vivo and In vitro digestibility of DM, OM and, NDF of tree leaves diets showed higher values than the T1 diet (p<0,05). Digestible and metabolizable energy were similar between tree leaves diets (p<0,05). Blood urea nitrogen values were superior for animals fed the T2 diet (p<0,05). Degradability values at 96 hours were higher for the T2 diet (p<0,05). Potential degradability was superior for the T3 diet. The results of this study demonstrate that S. saman and C. dentata leaves improve nutrients intake and digestibility. Therefore, they can be an alternative for sheep in the tropical dry forest.