EFFECT OF GRASS TAIWAN (Pennisetum purpureum) AND RAMON (Brosimum alicastrum) SILAGE SUPPLEMENTATION ON CHANGE OF BODY WEIGHT AND BLOOD VARIABLES IN COLLARED PECCARY (Pecarí tajacu) IN CAPTIVITY

Abstract

In order to evaluate the weight changes, level of hematocrit and serum total protein to supplement the diet of collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu) with a silage mixture of grass Taiwan (Pennisetum purpureum) and Ramon (Brosimum alicastrum) a voluntary consumption test was performed for five weeks. Using eleven non-pregnant adult females, with mean age of 4.5 years and weighing 19.15 kg (± 0.5 kg), two groups were formed: one of five animals which offered squash (Cucurbita pepo) and corn (Zea mays), and another of six animals on a diet of squash, corn and silage at 50%. Were taken blood samples and record weight every seven days. T-student test were used to compare means of two independent samples.  There were no differences between the means of the weights and blood proteins levels of individuals. The use of a silage mixture of grass and fodder cutting is a viable option to supplement the diet of nonpregnant adult females.