Comportamento ingestivo de ovinos: efeitos da suplementação e da pastagem consorciada de aruana com feijão guandu

Abstract

The use of legumes and supplements in the feeding of ruminants in pasture systems has proven to be an efficient strategy for meeting the nutritional needs of ruminants. However, these resources can modify the grazing behavior of animals, altering grazing time and other characteristics. In this sense, this study aims to evaluate the ingestive behavior of sheep grazing on Aruana grass (Megathyrsus maximus), intercropped or not with pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) with or without supplemental feeding. The experiment was carried out at the Sheep Farming Teaching and Research Unit (UNEPE), located on the experimental farm of the Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) – Dois Vizinhos campus, in the southwest region of Paraná. Twenty-four Dorper x Santa Inês crossbred sheep with an average weight of ± 30 kg and ± 6 months of age, males and females, were distributed in a completely randomized design, with two animals per paddock, with three treatments and three replicates each. The treatments evaluated were: (ARFG) - Aruana grass + pigeon pea; (AR) - Aruana grass only; and (ARSUP) – Aruana grass + supplementation. The concentrate inclusion level was 1% of live weight, provided daily at four o'clock in the afternoon. Grazing time, idle time (lying down and standing), rumination time (lying down and standing), bite rate, trough time, water intake, and salt intake were evaluated. Observations were made during the day at five-minute intervals, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., totaling twelve hours of observation over four days throughout the experiment. For all variables analyzed (grazing time, rumination time, idle time) there was an interaction (p<0.05) between treatment and period. However, the ingestive behavior of the sheep was more efficient in the treatment of Aruana grass with feed supplementation. In this condition, the animals reduced the time spent grazing, increased the rumination time and remained idle for longer. This adjustment in behavior resulted in lower energy expenditure, but had a substitutive effect, where the animals consumed less forage because of the concentrate provided, which met their nutritional needs.