Intake, nutritional composition and index relative palatability of fruits three acacias in feeding sheep and goats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional composition of Acacia farnesiana, Acacia macilenta and Acacia cochliacantha fruits and determine the intake (FI) the relative palatability index (PI) and its correlation with the nutritional composition of fruit in sheep and goats. Sixteen females of sheep and goats were used: eight sheep (F1 Dorper X Pelibuey body weight 18.5 ± 1.5 kg) and eight Creole goats (body weight 20.6 ± 1.8 kg). Animals were housed in individual pens (1.0 X 1.20 m) and fed on fruits (ad libitum) of the three acacias and corn stover (CS) for 24 hours during 15 days of experiment. Neutral and acid detergent fiber content, total phenols (TP) and condensed tannins (CT) were different (P < 0.01) between the fruits species. Fruits of A. farnesiana and A. cochliacantha had the highest (P < 0.01) intake by goats, and sheep consumed more fruits of A. cochliacantha. On average, the FI was increased in goats (P < 0.05), but the IP was increased in sheep (P < 0.01). The FI and IP were positively correlated with protein content (P < 0.01) and TP (P < 0.05) and negatively with the content of acid and neutral detergents fibers (P < 0.01). It could be concluded that the fruits of A. cochliacantha and A. farnesiana have more nutritional value for sheep and goats because of their lower content of neutral and acid detergent fiber and highest palatability index observed.