Palatability of four cereals used to feed lambs

Authors

  • Daniel González-González Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias
  • Reyes Vázquez Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos
  • Virginio Aguirre Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos
  • Mariana Pedernera Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos

Keywords:

Maíz, cebada, sorgo, taninos, ingesta voluntaria

Abstract

The palatability of feeds is variable and is affected by different factors. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the palatability of yellow corn, barley, red sorghum and brown sorghum grain in lambs. Palatability tests of two and four way-choice were carried out on eight lambs. Grain intake and preference were measured. A linear mixed model was used where the fixed factor was: type of grain, day and their interaction; the random factor was the lamb. It was shown that the intake and preference of yellow corn, barley and sorghums were similar in the two-way choice, except for the preference for brown sorghum that was greater than barley. In the four options, consumption and preference was lower in brown sorghum. The differences in cereal consumption could be related to the digestibility of the cereals and their combination.

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Pruebas de palatabilidad de borregos a cuatro granos (maíz amarillo, cebada, sorgo rojo y marrón). Fotografías cortesía de Mariana Pedernera.

Published

2025-02-26

Issue

Section

Artículos Científicos