Valor de la yuca fermentada como reemplazo del maíz en raciones para ovinos

Abstract

Twenty-four 14-week old West Agrican Dwarf sheep comprising 12 wethers and 12 lambs with an average initial body weight of 15.68 kg were fed rations in which fermented cassava replaced corn w/w at 0, 20, 40 and 60% levels, respectively for 224 days. The effect on digestibility of the rations, live performance, carcass and economic characteristics of the sheep were evaluated. Feed intake and apparent digestibility of crude protein, crude fibre, ether extracts, nitrogen free extract and total digestible nutrients were significantly lower in rations containing 40 and 6O per cent fermented cassava than any other ration. Both efficiency of feed utilization and growth rate were depressed as fermented cassava increased in the rations. Dressing percentage, carcass length and abdominal fat were lower while the kidney and liver were larger with increases in the level of fermented cassava. Increases in fermented cassava in the rations also produced greater economic benefits compared with the control ration.