Dietary Fiber Levels as a Sustainability Strategy in Lamb Production: Impacts on Digestion, Behavior, and Rumen Function

Rodrigo Neiva Santos, Stefanie Alvarenga Santos, Luís Gabriel Alves Cirne, Douglas dos Santos Pina, José Esler de Freitas Junior, José Augusto Gomes Azevedo, Robério Rodrigues Silva, Henry Daniel Ruiz Alba, Maria Leonor Garcia Melo Lopes de Araújo, Thaís Neri de Souza, Bruna Mara Aparecida de Carvalho Mesquita and Gleidson Giordano Pinto de Carvalho ()
Additional contact information
Rodrigo Neiva Santos: Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Av. Milton Santos, 500, Salvador 40170110, Brazil
Stefanie Alvarenga Santos: Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Av. Milton Santos, 500, Salvador 40170110, Brazil
Luís Gabriel Alves Cirne: Institute of Biodiversity and Forestry, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68040255, Brazil
Douglas dos Santos Pina: Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Av. Milton Santos, 500, Salvador 40170110, Brazil
José Esler de Freitas Junior: Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Av. Milton Santos, 500, Salvador 40170110, Brazil
José Augusto Gomes Azevedo: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia 45662900, Brazil
Robério Rodrigues Silva: Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Itapetinga, Bahia 45700000, Brazil
Henry Daniel Ruiz Alba: Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Av. Milton Santos, 500, Salvador 40170110, Brazil
Maria Leonor Garcia Melo Lopes de Araújo: Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Av. Milton Santos, 500, Salvador 40170110, Brazil
Thaís Neri de Souza: Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Av. Milton Santos, 500, Salvador 40170110, Brazil
Bruna Mara Aparecida de Carvalho Mesquita: Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Federal De Minas Gerais, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais 39404547, Brazil
Gleidson Giordano Pinto de Carvalho: Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Av. Milton Santos, 500, Salvador 40170110, Brazil

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-13

Abstract: Defining appropriate dietary fiber levels is essential for enhancing the sustainability of feedlot lamb production. Optimal dietary fiber levels can enhance meat yield, improve nutrient retention and utilization, and reduce environmental impact. This study aimed to determine the optimal level of dietary fiber to enhance nutrient intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, and rumen fermentation in feedlot lambs. Five rumen-fistulated Santa Inês male lambs (40 kg, 7 months old) were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Diets contained increasing levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF): 200, 320, 440, 560, and 680 g/kg dry matter (DM), with each period lasting 21 days (total 105 days). Nutrient intake responded quadratically to NDF levels ( p < 0.05). Apparent digestibility was significantly affected ( p < 0.05), except for crude protein. Feeding ( p = 0.001) and rumination times ( p = 0.002) increased linearly, while idling time decreased ( p < 0.001). Feeder visits declined ( p = 0.002), and idling events followed a quadratic trend. Feeding and rumination efficiencies for DM decreased ( p = 0.006 and p = 0.010), while NDF rumination efficiency increased ( p = 0.014). The ruminal pH rose ( p < 0.001), and propionate decreased ( p = 0.019); acetate and butyrate showed quadratic responses. Based on intake, digestibility, and fermentation patterns, dietary NDF should be included at 400 g/kg DM to optimize nutrient utilization and rumen function in confined lambs.

Keywords: fiber; ingestive behavior; metabolism; ruminant nutrition; volatile fatty acids (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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