Nutritional effects of using cactus cladodes (Opuntia stricta Haw Haw) to replace sorghum silage in sheep diet.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of replacing the sorghum silage in sheep diet with cactus cladodes [CC - Opuntia stricta (Haw) Haw] on dry matter and its compound intake and digestibility, feeding behavior, and nitrogen balance. The diets consisted of five replacement levels [0, 200, 400, 600, and 800 g/kg on a dry matter (DM) basis] and were formulated to be isonitrogenous [140 g/kg crude protein [CP], considering the ingredients' composition, with a roughage/concentrate ratio of 65:35, on a DM basis. Five uncastrated crossbred sheep, with an average body weight of 52.

Cactus cladodes associated with urea and sugarcane bagasse: an alternative to conserved feed in semi-arid regions.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional value of different roughage sources as an exclusive feed for goats and sheep from the determination of nutrient intake and digestibility. Five goats and five sheep were used and arranged in a double 5 × 5 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of cactus Nopalea cochenillifera (L.

Castor beans hulls as a replacement for Tifton 85 hay in lamb diets.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing Tifton 85 hay (0, 33, 66, or 100 %) with by castor bean hulls on the intake and nutrient digestibility and performance of 28 noncastrated lambs, averaging 7 months in age, 19.5 ± 2.0 kg average live weight, fed on diets based on forage cactus.