This experiment was conducted for a period of 30 days to investigate the supplement effect of buffering material for ruminant animal through feed intake examination, digestibility experiments and the examination of ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid p...
This experiment was conducted for a period of 30 days to investigate the supplement effect of buffering material for ruminant animal through feed intake examination, digestibility experiments and the examination of ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid pattern for lambs. Nine male lambs weighing 45㎏ in initial weight were divided into 3 treatments i.e. control (without buffering material), buffer-M and buffer-MIX group. Three lambs, which were fistulated, were used in the examination of ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid pattern and the others, which were unfistulated, were used in digestibility experiments. The results obtained are summarized as follows. 1. Feed intake: Feed intake of lambs fed buffering group feed was lower than that of control group feed for the first 10 days. But thereafter, there were not large difference among treatments. Feed intake of buffer-MIX group was higher slightly than that of buffer-M group. 2. Digestibility: Nutrient digestibilities except crude fiber of concentrate addition with buffering material were higher by 2 to 4 percent than those of the concentrate without buffering material. And buffer-MIX was more efficient than buffer-M. The supplement effect of buffering material was showed an increase of 0.5 to 2.0 percent in total digestible nutrients (TDN) but was not showed in digestible crude protein (DCP). 3. Ruminal volatile fatty acid pattern and pH: Control group was lower than buffering groups in acetate molar percent but was higher in propionate and butyrate molar percent. Especially the supplement of buffering material was showed increase of total VFA production quantity and prevention of ruminal pH decline. According to the results obtained it could be suggested to the supplement of buffering material may be essential for ruminant animal. And buffer-MIX may be more effective than buffer-M.