<b>Feed intake and digestibility of fibrous fractions of coconut cake by sheep</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v33i2.10406

Abstract

This trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of coconut cake (Cocos nucifera L.) on feed intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber. We used 16 non-castrated sheep with mean body weight of 28 kg (± 3.2 kg), distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (0, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2% BW of inclusion of coconut pie) and four replications. There was a trial period of 21 days with 14 days of adaptation and 7 days of data collection, which monitored the supply of diet and total fecal collection. The apparent digestibility of dry matter and acid detergent fiber effects were linear and increasing with the inclusion of coconut cake in the diet (44.9 to 57 and from 30.57 to 40.32%) to levels of 1.2% inclusion, respectively. Neutral detergent fiber showed a quadratic response, with the best level of 0.89% and maximum digestibility of NDF of 59.39%. Coconut cake is an excellent source of supplemental feed, and can contribute in meeting the nutritional demands for meat and milk production in the eastern Amazon.