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Effect of feeding pattern on diurnal variation in faecal chromic oxide level when using controlled release devices in sheep |
G. J. Lee, S. I. Mortimer |
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Abstract |
Diurnal variation in faecal chromic oxide levels was estimated from 4 hourly faecal sampling of 56 wethers allotted to one of six different feeding patterns. Sampling occurred on days 6 and 7 (Period 1) after a controlled release device was administered, and was repeated on days 14 and 15 (Period 2) following re-randomisation of the wethers to the feeding patterns. Increasing the frequency of feeding tended to be associated with higher faecal chromic oxide levels (p<0.05), particularly in wethers fed thrice daily at 8 hour intervals. There was no interaction between feeding pattern and period, sampling day or time within-day. There were significant period x time within-day (p<0.05) and day x time within-day (p<0.001) interactions, indicating that variation in faecal chromic oxide between sample times was not consistent. This implies that sampling at any time of day is unlikely to result in a biased estimate of pasture intake, providing sufficient samples are collected. Significant period (p<0.001) and period x day (p<0.01) effects were associated with slow faecal chromic oxide equilibration in period 1. Equilibration did not occur until after day 7, indicating a need for caution when commencing sampling. |
Keywords:
Feeding Pattern; Chromic Oxide; Faecal Output; Sheep |
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