Rumen fermentation characteristics of rams fed supplemental boric acid and humic acid diets

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of humic acid and boric acid as feed additives on rumen fermentation parameters in rams. For this purpose, 3 yearling rams were used in this experiment. Rams in each treatment; a control with no supplements (C), 180 ppm boric acid (B) and 5 ml/kg humic acid (H) with 65:35 forage to concentrate ratio. Each experimental period lasted 14 days, with 12 first days of diet adaptation. Totally, the experimental period lasted 42 days. In both time periods (0 and 3h after feeding), there were no significant differences (P>0.05) on rumen pH, ammonia, protozoa count, estimated methane production and volatile fatty acid composition. However, butyric acid concentration tended to be higher in experimental groups (P=0.08) compared with control. As a result of this study, these feed additives did not modify the rumen milieu and showed no negative effect in rams.