Propriedades fisico-mecânicas e comportamento ingestivo de blocos multinutricionais com diferentes aglomerantes por caprinos e ovinos.

Abstract

The focus of this study was to evaluate different types of binders in the physical characteristics of the multi-nutrients blocks (MNB’s) and consuming parameters of small ruminants (goats and sheep). The following types of binders were used in respective proportions: cement, lime, kaolin; cement + kaolin and lime + bentonite into two proportions (7.5 % and 10 %) and two cure times (72 and 96 hours). The experiment was conducted in two stages. In the 1st phase, the production of experimental blocks, in which 200 blocks were produced with an average weight of 300 grams each, and it was also performed tests of resistance and absorption of the experimental blocks. In the 2nd phase, behavior and consuming analyses were performed for goats and sheeps; 192 MNBs were manufactured weighing approximately 6.5 kg each, being 6 blocks per treatment. The tests with the MNB’S were first conducted with 96 blocks to 40 goats of undefined breed (SPRD) and subsequently with 96 blocks to 40 Santa Inês sheep. In addition to the blocks, the animals were fed with sorghum silage and water ad libitum. The assessment for each species was performed on three different days, totaling 36 hours per species. The following consumption variables were analyzed: the dietary intake of roughage; start time and end time of intake; ingestion of multi-nutrient blocks; start time and end time of intake (number of bites and licks per animal); beginning and end of rumination and the period of inactivity. It was also analyzed the physiological behavior of animals in relation to the time of exposure to sun and shade, but also in relation to their demand for water. In the treatment which lime was the binder agent there was greater resistance of the blocks; in the treatment which cement was the binder agent it was obtained the least resistance and greater retention of moisture content. From the comparison of the feeding behavior of goats and sheep, it was found that goats have spent less time in the consumption of blocks (4.40%), while the sheep dedicated 5.36% to the MNB 's consumption .