Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) by-product for lambs: Performance, feed intake, and nutrient digestibility

Background: The use of pequi by-product as animal feed is an appealing alternative to reduce overall production costs. However, little is known regarding its effects on animal performance as well as the ideal inclusion level in the diet. Objective: To evaluate performance, intake, and digestibility of confined lambs receiving diets containing different levels of pequi by-product as a partial substitute for corn silage. Methods: The experiment was conducted in Curvelo, Brazil, using twenty-five crossbred Santa Ines male lambs (17.83 +/- 1.73 kg) aged six months for 92 days. Increasing levels of pequi by-product (0, 6, 12, 18, and 24%) replacing corn silage were evaluated in a completely randomized design. Analysis of variance and regression were performed, with 5% significance level. Results: Inclusion of pequi by-product did not influence (p>0.05) average daily gain, total weight gain, or feed conversion ratio. No effect (p>0.05) was also observed on intake of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients. However, a linear decrease was observed (p<0.05) in the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients with increasing inclusion of pequi by-product. Conclusion: Pequi by-product is a potential substitute for corn silage in lamb diets because it does not influence animal performance and feed intake. However, digestibility decreases with increasing dietary inclusion levels of pequi by-product.