Use of Chromium Oxide and Alkane Indicator Methods for Determination of Feed Intake for Grazing Sheep

Abstract

This experiment was carried out to determine feed intake and digestibility of grazing sheep on pasture. A total of 14 animals randomly divided into two groups with seven animals each group were used in the experiment. Digestibility of pastures was determined using two types of markers—alkane (C32-C36) and chromium oxide. Dry matter intake (DMI) was 717.22 g/d based on chromium oxide method in the experiment, while according to alkane method, DMI was 965.93 g/d and 1,051.07 g/d for C32 and C36, respectively. In conclusion, pastures met 74%-81% of crude protein (CP) and 57%-61% of energy requirements of lambs grazing on Yuzuncu Yil University pasture, who are mid-quality and 4-7 month-old with a 275 g/d expected daily gain. It was calculated that when 628-693 g/d of barley is given, both CP and metabolizable energy (ME) requirements of animals can be met.