Changes in particle size in the reticulorumen of sheep

Abstract

Sheep fitted with 10-cm rumen fistulae were used to measure the changes occurring in the particle size of digesta under conditions of once daily feeding. Particle size distributions were determined by separation through sieves of various mesh sizes. In one experiment digesta samples were obtained from serial emptyings of the reticulorumen several times within 24-hr periods. In a second experiment particle size distributions resulting from various levels of food intake were measured 24 hr after feeding.