Influence of Food Allowance on Nutrient Utilization of Oat (Avena sativa) Hay by Goats and Feeding Value of Leftovers from High Levels of Offer in Sheep

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of feeding levels on intake and nutrient utilization of oat (Avena sativa) hay (OH) by goats and potential feeding value of leftovers from high levels of offer in sheep. In experiment 1, the goats (15) were offered OH at three levels of feeding to give leftovers of about 20% (T-1), 35% (T-2) and 50% (T-3) of DM offered. A marked effect of refusal rate of OH on intake and digestibility of nutrients was evident. Allowing selective consumption at higher levels (T-2 and T-3), the intake of DCP and TDN from OH was found not only to meet the maintenance requirement but provided surplus nutrients for moderate production. In experiment 2, Sheep (3) were offered one of the three dietary treatments viz OH, refusals left uneaten by goats in T-2 and T-3 (OHR) and 3% urea treated oat hay refusals (UTR) in a $3{\times}3$ latin square design. Though the potential feeding value of leftovers (OHR and UTR) was lower than OH, the results confirm the possibility of their effective use. It was concluded that feeding above the conventional ad libitum level could be an alternative to improve the performance of ruminants fed feeds like oat hay. The potential impact of the strategy would, however, depend on the effective reutilization of leftovers for feeding other animals.