Torta de licuri na alimentação de cabritos e na ensilagem de palma forrageira cv gigante.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of including licuri cake in high-concentrate diets for confined goats on productive performance and metabolic parameters. Forty non- castrated Boer goats were used, with a mean age of 4 months and initial mean body weight (PI) of 20.15 ± 2.79 kg. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design, in four experimental diets (10 animals per treatment), with licuri cake levels of 0, 100, 200 and 300 g/kg in DM. The intake and apparent digestibility of nutrients were influenced from the inclusion level of 10% of the licuri cake. The inclusion of licuri cake increased the time spent in feeding and ruminating activities, and the number of episodes in feeding and in idleness. However, DM and NDF feeding and rumination efficiencies decreased with the inclusion of licuri cake. There was a reduction in ingested and retained nitrogen, in triglyceride concentrations and in the activities of aspartate-aminotransferase, alanine-aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase enzymes. Final weight, total weight gain and average daily gain decreased from the inclusion of 100 g/kg of licuri cake. The use of up to 100 g/kg of licuri cake in diets with high concentrate for confined goats is recommended, as it provides higher rates of weight gain and shorter confinement time. However, levels of 300 g/kg of licuri cake do not change feed efficiency and can be an option for production systems using lower cost diets.