Effect of spineless cactus [Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm Dyck] on nutrient intake, ingestive behaviour, and performance of lambs

• Published in: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências Vol. 95; no. 2; p. e20201412
• Main Authors: Bezerra, Sharleny B L, Véras, Róbson M L, Batista, Ângela M V, Guim, Adriana, Maciel, Michel DO V, Cardoso, Daniel B, Lima Júnior, Dorgival M DE, Carvalho, Francisco F R DE
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Academia Brasileira de Ciências 01.01.2023
• Subjects: Animal Feed - analysis; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Cactaceae; cactus pear; Diet - veterinary; Dietary Fiber; Digestion; Eating; forage cactus; Male; MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES; Nopalea cochenillifera; Sheep; Sheep, Domestic; water intake; Nopalea cochenillifera; cactus pear; water intake; forage cactus
• ISSN: 0001-3765; 1678-2690; 1678-2690
• DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202320201412

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of spineless cactus (SC) [Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm Dyck] on nutrient intake, ingestive behaviour, and performance of lambs in a feedlot. Thirty-two male (non-castrated) Santa Inês lambs with a mean initial body weight (BW) of 20.4 ± 2.60 kg were distributed across four levels of spineless cactus: zero, 24, 52, and 75% of total diet dry matter (DM). Over 56 days, the animals had their intake and performance monitored. The inclusion of SC influenced (p<0.05) in a quadratic way the dry matter intake and total digestible nutrients, but linearly decreased (p<0.05) the neutral detergent fiber intake. Drinking water intake decreased linearly (p<0.05) with the inclusion of SC in the diet. The inclusion of SC influenced (p<0.05) in a quadratic way the digestibility of organic matter in the diet. The increase in the level of SC in the diet increased linearly (p<0.05) the feeding and rumination efficiencies of the lambs. The maximum daily gain of 0.237 kg/day was achieved with 44% SC in the diet. It is recommended to include up to 40% of spineless cactus in the diet of lambs.