Productive and Ruminal Microbiological Behavior of Sheep Fed with Two Levels of Dehydrated Orange Residue

Abstract

The productive and ruminal microbiological behavior of 30 sheep crossed Dorper x Katahdin with average body weight of 22 ± 1 kg fed with two levels of dehydrated waste of orange was evaluated (DWO). The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design, with three treatments and 10 repetitions. The treatments were defined using different levels of inclusion of DWO (0, 15 y 30%). Daily weight gain, dry matter intake and feed conversion were determined, which did not show significant differences (p>0.05) due to the inclusion of DWO in the diet. Similarly, the concentration of rumen microorganisms was not affected by treatments. It is concluded that it is possible to replace up to 30% of corn grain by DWO as an energy source, without affecting the productive variables and rumen microorganisms