Background:

Animal production demands knowledge about the energy needs and metabolism to enhance yields.

Aim.

To determine the effect of a totally mixed ration (TMR) containing different volumes of tree foliage (Tithonia diversifolia, Morus alba, Leucaena leucocephala) as an alternative to hybrid Cenchrus purpureus Cuba OM-22, for voluntary consumption of dry matter and the efficiency of metabolizable energy use in sheep.

Methods:

A total of 24 whole weaned Pelibuey sheep (84±9.75 days of age), with an average live weight of 15.80±2.740 kg (7.92±1.00 kg PV0.75), were included in six groups, using a completely randomized design (CRD) for 120 days. The treatments consisted in the inclusion of several levels (20.40 %) of foliage from trees (Tithonia diversifolia, Morus alba, Leucaena leucocephala) with 80.60% hybrid Cenchrus purpureus Cuba OM-22, included in the experimental plant mixture of 50, 55, 65, and 60 days of age, respectively. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed and the Duncan test was conducted to determine the differences of means.

Results:

The absolute consumption of dry matter was higher (1.31 vs 1.37 kg d-1, p< 0.0001), when 40% of morera and leucaena foliage was included in the diet, respectively. Though 40% of morera surpassed the protein: energy ratio (71 g Mcal-1, p<0.0001).

Conclusions:

The inclusion of 40% morera and leucaena with 60% Cenchrus purpureus improved voluntary consumption. The efficiency in the utilization of metabolizable energy ingested for maintenance (km) was high, though it was low for growth (kg).