Maize supplementation of Pelibuey sheep in a silvopastoral system: fodder selection, nutrient intake and resilience against gastrointestinal nematodes

摘要: This trial evaluated the effect of maize supplementation on ingestive behavior, nutrient intake and resilience against gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection hair sheep in a silvopastoral system containing tropical grasses legume trees. In addition, it attempted to determine metabolic cost natural GIN supplemented non-supplemented animals. Twenty-nine 3-month-old lambs (male female), raised free, were allocated four groups: I-NS (infected, not supplemented, n = 8), I-S with at 1.5% live weight (LW), 7), T-NS (treated moxidectin 0.2 mg/kg LW every 28 days, 7) T-S LW, 7). During 70-day trial, fodder intake, selection, change (LWC), red blood cell counts (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht) eggs per gram feces (EPG) measured 14 days. Supplement consumption was recorded daily. Metabolizable energy (ME) protein (MP) from feeds estimated. Maize helped improve infections. The groups showed similar LWC, RBC, Hb Ht (P > 0.05) both higher than those group 0.05). No sex observed different variables. Although all low dry matter (DMI) (< 2% LW), (T-S I-S) total DMI (fodder + maize; P < 0.05), hence ME MP intakes (T-NS I-NS). All selection patterns. estimated parasitism 0.70 MJ/day 9.2 g/day Meanwhile, animals 1.46 12.71 g/day. an economically viable strategy control compared no intervention.