INCLUSION OF FIELD PEA HAY (Pisum sativum L.) AND IN VITRO GAS PRODUCTION IN DIETS FOR GROWING LAMBS

Abstract

The use of byproducts such as field pea (Pisum sativum) is an alternative to feed sheep, the objective of this study was to evaluate the intake and digestibility in sheep fed different levels of field pea hay (FPH). Twenty Rambouillet lambs (with an initial BW of 26.0 ± 0.43 kg) were fed to one of four treatments of 5 animals of each (0%, 25%, 50% and 75% inclusion of PH as dry matter basis). The content of CP for the FPH was 8%. There were no significant differences (P>0.1) between treatments for DM intake (947.6 ± 32.3 g/d), OM (856.7 ± 24.8) and NDF (583.5 ± 30.6), as well as digestibility (g/100g) of DM (50.3 ± 1.0), OM (49.4 ± 2.38) and NDF (57.0 ± 2.23). N intake was lower (P<0.05) for PH 25% compared to 0%, no significant differences (P>0.1) for N excretion in feces, urine and N balance between treatments. In vitro gas production in the fraction A (ml gas / g DM incubated) was lower in FPH compared to corn stover (CS) and corn grain (CG). Fraction b was higher (P <0.05) for FPH compared to the other ingredients, however there were no differences (P>0.1) between CS and CG for fraction c. Gas production (ml gas / g DM disappeared) was lower in FPH compared to CS and CG. In vitro DM disappearance was lower for FPH with respect to CG, however there were no differences (P>0.1) between CS and FPH. FPH can be used in diets for sheep up to 75% of inclusion, without affecting intake and digestibility. The gas production technique allows the prediction of in vitro fermentation and rumen degradation, showing a lower fermentation with 25% inclusion of FPH.