Resumen del producto

Two validation tests were carried out with 24 Nubia female goats and 26 Peliguey male sheep, both with an average metabolic weight of 9.6 kg. Goats and sheep were distributed randomly in two groups, one fed with a control diet and another with a diet that included 25% of Sargassum meal. Each animal of every group was assigned randomly in a rustic individual cage, provided with food and water containers. Feed and water intake were measured daily during 90 days. Weight, size, length, abdominal, and thorax diameter were measured every 15 days. At the end of the experiments, metabolic weight and feed conversion factor were calculated. There was no significant difference in feed intake, but water intake was higher in the diet with Sargassum meal, due to the high mineral content of the algae. There were no significant differences in weight, metabolic weight, size, length, abdominal, and thorax diameter between treatments in goats as well as in sheep. The feed conversion factor was lower for the diet that included 25% of Sargassum meal in both experimental animals. It is concluded that it is possible to include up to 25% of Sargassum meal as non conventional feed in diets for goats and sheep. It is recommended to supply the seaweeds together with conventional forages, such as alfalfa or in balanced food; or ad libitum in feeders.

Palabras clave: Sargassum; goats; sheep; forage; validation test

Para obtener una copia del documento contacta la personal de la biblioteca a través del correo bibliocicimar{a}ipn.mx