Biometria e condição corporal de ovinos e caprinos terminados em caatinga raleada enriquecida com capim buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris L.).

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the biometric and the body condition of animals finished in pasture in the Caatinga resseeding with buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) by measuring and comparing the parameters at the beginning and end of the experiment. The design was completely randomized, with two treatments (goat and sheep) and eight replicates (animals). Data were subjected to variance analysis and the averages compared by Tukey test at 5%. It was observed statistically different between species to leg length, dorsal height, croup height and thigh perimeter, with sheep showing always measures higher than the average observed for goats. There wasn’t statistical difference (P> 0.05) between species to body condition, both species increased their body condition during the experimental period, with the winning sheep, in absolute terms, increased by 0.6 and goats 0.4 in their body condition. However, it was concluded that goats and sheep finished in lower caatinga reseeding with buffel grass showed variations in biometric measures, especially those that reflect bone growth. In terms of body condition score didn’t occur variation, but both species gained body condition during the experiment.