Effect of pelleted cereal-based feed used in the diet on feed intake, eating behaviour, rumination and nutrient digestibility in antelope sitatunga (<i>Tragelaphus spekii</i>)

Effect of pelleted cereal-based feed for addax antelope (<i>Addax nasomaculatus</i>) on feed intake and nutrient digestibility

“…As a result, pen was used as an experimental unit. It is worth mentioning that this study was conducted in parallel with the study of Górka et al (2016), aiming to determine the effect of pelleted cereal-based feed used in the diet for sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii). Therefore, experimental design used for these both studies was similar.…”

“…Feeds and faeces were analysed for DM, ash, CP, crude fat, crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre, lignin and AIA as previously described by Górka et al (2016). Cellulose content was calculated as ADF -lignin, and hemicellulose as NDF -ADF.…”

“…Reluctant intake of structured feeds and a negative impact of high proportion of cereal-based feeds in the consumed diet on nutrient digestibility, health and longevity of captive ruminants is known predominantly for browsers and intermediate feeders (Clauss and Dierenfeld, 2008;Taylor et al, 2013;Górka et al, 2016). In this study we hypothesized that pelleted cereal-based feed would decrease nutrient digestibility and roughage intake by addax (Addax nasomaculatus) -a large Sahara desert grazer with long digesta retention time in the rumen (Hummel et al, 2008).…”

“…However, the widely used meadow or grass hay in the diets for captive ruminants, being often the only structured feed used for this group of animals in zoological gardens, is unwillingly consumed by many species, particularly by browsers and intermediate feeders (Taylor et al, 2013;Górka et al, 2016). This leads to low structured feed intake and high proportion of unstructured feeds in the consumed diet (Schilcher et al, 2013;Taylor et al, 2013;Górka et al, 2016); however, energy-rich, unstructured feeds have an unfavourable influence on the fermentation pattern in the rumen (Gussek et al, 2016). Such a situation is considered as the main cause of diarrhoea, laminitis, poor body condition, short life span and post mortal signs of rumenitis, often reported in captive ruminants (Clauss and Dierenfeld, 2008;Taylor et al, 2013;Gattiker et al, 2014).…”

“…Pelleting and associated heat treatment of cereals increase fermentation rate of starch in the rumen (Bertipaglia et al, 2010). Furthermore, pelleted feed is eaten faster than not-pelleted feed (Waghorn and Reid, 1983;Górka et al, 2016). This together may result in ruminal digesta pH below the optimal for the functioning of the rumen, reduced fibre digestibility and, in consequence, lower feed intake (Plaizier et al, 2008;Castrillo et al, 2013).…”