Intake and apparent digestibility of forages in llamas (Lama glama). I. Alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa) and wheat straw (Triticum aestivum) at different proportions

Abstract

A random block design was used to run a classical total collection digestion trial, in which eight llamas were used to study the utilization of three different diets: 1) 100% alfalfa hay (Diet 100); 2) 75% alfalfa hay plus 25% wheat straw (Diet 75/25) and 3) 50% alfalfa hay plus 50% wheat straw (Diet 50/50). The digestibility coefficients for dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and for the components of the cell walls were obtained. The digestibility coefficients of the main nutrients for Diets 100, 75/25 and 50/50 were 76.7^a, 73.5^a, 64.8^b % (P<0.05) for crude protein, respectively; 42.8, 42.3, 46.5% for NDF; 39.9, 35.6, 40.9 for ADF; 51.1^a, 60.4^b, 60.7^b (P<0,05) for hemicellulose and 52.6, 49.5, 55.6% for cellulose. While crude protein digestibility decreased when the quality of diets decreased, the digestibility of the different cell wall constituents remained constant or increased. These facts agree with the general information concerning the greater ability of these animals to utilize fibrous feeds.