1Department of Animal Nutrition, Agricultural Faculty, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey
2Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Turkey
Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey
*Corresponding author's e-mail: mguney@yyu.edu.tr
Online published on 4 April, 2018.
The aim of this study was to compare feed intake, nutrients digestibility, protein fractions entering into the duodenum, and ruminal fermentation parameters of sheep fed Medicago sativa (alfalfa) and Prangos pabularia, locallycalled kerkol hays. In the study three ruminally and duodenally cannulated Morkaraman sheep were used. It was carried out as two periods within a 2x3 crossover experimental design. Daily intake of crude protein (CP) was higher (P<0.05) in sheep fed alfalfa than those fed kerkol hay. Digestibility of NDF and ADF were lower (P<0.05) in sheep fed alfalfa hay than those fed kerkol hay(P<0.05). The percentage of protein escaping ruminal degradation washigher (P<0.05) in sheep fed kerkolhay(30.73%) than those fed alfalfa hay (15.05%). Ruminal fermentation parameters were similar between groups, except ruminal NH3-N concentration. It is concluded that kerkol hay can be used as forage for sheep feeding.
Alfalfa hay, Digestibility, Microbial protein synthesis, Prangos pabularia, Sheep
