Digestibility, ingestive behaviour and performance of non-descript breed hair lambs of different sexual classes subjected to feed restriction

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of feed restriction and sexual classes on digestibility, ingestive behaviour and performance of non-descript breed hair lambs. Forty-five animals (15 males, 15 castrated males and 15 females) were distributed in a completely randomized 3 × 3 factorial design, with three feeding levels: ad libitum feeding (positive energy balance), 70% restriction of the ad libitum intake (maintenance level) and 80% restriction of the ad libitum intake (negative energy balance). For all variables, there was no effect of sexual class nor interaction of sexual class with feeding levels (P > 0.05). Animals fed restricted diets had a higher rumination time per unit of dry matter intake (P < 0.05). Digestibility was higher in feed-restricted lambs (P < 0.05). Weight gain and feed efficiency were lower for feed restriction (P < 0.05). Sexual class did not affect intake, digestibility, ingestive behaviour, or performance. Feed restriction affected digestibility and ingestive behaviour.