Polyethylene Glycol Affects Goats' Feeding Behavior in a Tannin-Rich Environment

摘要: High concentrations of condensed tannins in browse impair brush clearing by goats. We studied the effect polyethylene glycol (PEG, MW 4000), a polymer that binds tannins, on feeding behavior Damascus goats (Capra hircas) range dominated tannin-rich lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus L.). This was done with or without nutritious alternative to (alfalfa hay) available at pasture. In phase 1, no hay provided goats; 2, distributed daily field. both phases, 6 had free access PEG while pasture, grazed separately another paddock did not. All received each night an allowance concentrate (400 g day-1 40% ground corn grain, barley, 17% soybean meal and 3% mineral-vitamin premix, contained as fed 16% crude protein (CP) 2.66 Mcal kg-1 Metabolizable Energy). The 2 groups alternated between paddocks. Goats supplemented spent more time browsing than control group (73 41%, respectively, P < 0.0001). foraging dry grasses their PEG-fed counterparts (28 12%, from gained body weight higher rate controls. intake 450 g, 1.2 sec-1. Supplemental alfalfa substituted partly for goats' diets, but not modify percent either treatment lentisk. Our data suggest has potential increase species, even where fodder better nutritional quality is present. However, self-feeding may be best way provide because ingest needed annul aversive effects food intake. DOI:10.2458/azu_jrm_v55i6_landau