Effect of supplementing sheep with oat grain on their intake, digestion, and nitrogen balance when fed chopped carpet grass (Axonopus affinis Chase) hay

Abstract

The effect of 0, 150, 300 and 450 g/day of oat grain on voluntary consumption, digestibility, and nitrogen balance in sheep offered chopped carpet grass(Axonopus affinis Chase) hay was studied.Carpet grass intake was significantly (P<0.05) decreased at the 2 higher levels of oat grain. The intake of unsupplemented hay was 606 g/day, compared with 410 g at the highest oat intake. Total dry matter intake increased linearly with level of oat supplementation, from 606 to 816 g/day. No associated effects were detected on the digestibility of the hay. Digestibility of the cell wall components decreased at the higher level of oat supplementation.