Effect of different quantities of dietary barley grain on methaneproduction in sheep

摘要

The methane (CH_4) production was determined by indirect calorimetry. Twelve dry and non pregnant Guirra sheep were fed with 3 diets consisting in the same quantity of alfalfa hay (2 kg/d offered) and increasing quantities of barley grain (0.15, 0.30and 0.45 kg/d). The experimental design was completely random with 4 replication by treatment. Ewes were allocated to individual metabolism cages. After 10 d of adaptation, feed intake, total fecal and urine output were recorded daily during a 5d period,as well as body weight (BW) at the beginning and end of the period. Then, gas exchange measurements were recorded by a mobile open-circuit respirometry system using a face mask. Methane production was 45.35 kJ/kg BW°75/d, as average for all diets and the methane conversion factor was 3.5%).