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Previous cafeteria studies suggested that a moderate natural gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection did not modify the resource selection of adult Criollo goats towards tannin-rich plants compared with worm-free goats. A higher infection with Haemonchus contortus could trigger a change in the resource selection behaviour towards tannin-rich foliage. Alternatively, goats might select plant species solely to meet their nutritional requirements. A cafeteria study investigated the effect of a high artificial infection with H. contortus on the feed resource selection of goats. Adult Criollo goats (37.5±4.8 kg BW) with browsing experience were distributed in two groups: the infected group (IG) with six animals artificially infected with H. contortus (6000 L3/animal); and the non-infected group (NIG) with six animals maintained worm-free. The experiment included two 5-day periods with additional 5-day adaptation period. In the first period, animals were offered foliage of five plant species with a decreasing gradient of condensed tannins (CT) (Mimosa bahamensis, Gymnopodium floribundum, Havardia albicans, Acacia pennatula, Lysiloma latisiliqum), and three plant species with negligible CT content (Leucaena leucocephala, Piscidia piscipula and Brosimum alicastrum). In the second period the foliage of B. alicastrum was withdrawn. A grain-based concentrate feed was offered daily at 1% BW in DM basis. Dry matter and nutrient intake was determined. Foliage selection of each experimental group was determined using the Chesson selection index. The H. contortus egg count per gram of faeces (EPG) was determined for infected goats twice daily. Chesson index showed a similar pattern of foliage selection on periods 1 and 2. Mean EPG of goats in IG was 2028±259 EPG during period 1 and 1 293±198 EPG during period 2 (P>0.05). During period 1, the selection pattern was highest for B. alicastrum (tannin-free), followed by a tannin-rich plant (M. bahamensis). These two plants remained as highly selected during period 2. The Chesson index showed that both experimental groups (IG and NIG) selected the same plant species in both periods. Thus, a high H. contortus infection did not affect selection of goats fed with CT-rich plants. Apparently, goats balanced their nutrient intake with the plants selected, showing evidence of nutritional wisdom. This balance may have helped to prevent excess protein in the diet and also to maintain a low GIN infection, both considered as examples of prophylactic self-medication.

During the rainy season, the tropical deciduous forest (TDF) supposedly represents an abundance of biomass for sheep and goats. Nevertheless, quantitative estimations of feed intake during the rainy season are lacking. This study investigated the feeding behaviour of sheep and goats in a TDF in Mexico and quantified their nutrient intake during the rainy season. Plant species (PS) consumed, size and weight of bites, and nutritional quality were determined by continuous bite monitoring through direct observation. Adult ewes (n = 3) and goats (n = 3) were observed in their grazing circuits (4 h/day) for 12 days during the rainy season. Sheep and goats consumed 61 PS and performed a similar median number of bites (1751 vs 2053 bites/day, respectively; P > 0.05). Although they shared 52.5% of the PS consumed, only seven PS contributed most of the dry matter intake (DMI) for sheep (96.7%) or goats (90.5%). Sheep consumed more grass than goats (79.8% vs 48.3% of their DMI, respectively), whereas goats ate more shrubs than sheep (30.0% vs 7.6% of their DMI, respectively). The diet ingested by goats included more polyphenols (P < 0.05) and a higher frequency of larger and heavier bites than sheep (P < 0.05). Sheep reached 61.3% and 57.7% of their metabolisable energy and crude protein maintenance requirements. Similarly, goats covered 63.3% of their metabolisable energy and 108.2% of crude protein requirement. Although the main ration of sheep and goats was composed of similar PS, their different feeding behaviour resulted in different macronutrient consumption. The vegetation of tropical deciduous forests represent an important source of nutrients for small ruminants in many farms; however, feeding behaviour and nutrient intake of sheep and goats in that vegetation during the rainy season is unknown. We showed that both consumed similar plant species but had different feeding behaviour, goats browsed more than sheep, obtaining more protein and polyphenols. Sheep and goats consumed an imbalanced diet that would require dietary energy for goats and a protein : energy supplement for sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goats browsing in a tropical deciduous forest (TDF) obtain a large proportion of their diet from a large number of plant species. Nevertheless, the goat's feed resource selection has not been studied in such an ecosystem. This study aimed to determine whether goats browsing in a TDF display active feed resource selection. Two browsing sites were used (A = 2.2 ha and B = 2.6 ha). The effective availability (g) of all plant species available was measured for each site using 10 m × 20 m exclusion quadrants. Three non-pregnant adult goats (34.9 ± 2.4 kg liveweight) with browsing experience were observed using the continuous bite monitoring method to determine their respective dry matter intake. The selection of different plants was determined using the Jacobs' selection index (JSI). The goats' dry matter intake per day was 723 and 310.8 g for Sites A and B, respectively. At both browsing sites, the plant with the highest biomass availability was Gymnopodium floribundum (75.5% and 49.3% for Sites A and B, respectively). Nevertheless, the plant species most actively selected by goats were Eragrostis ciliaris at Site A (JSI = 0.99, P < 0.05) and Mimosa bahamensis at Site B (JSI = 0.96, P < 0.05). Some plant species were not consumed at Sites A and B (three and five species, respectively). In conclusion, feed resource selection was not associated with the biomass availability of the plants selected or refused. Goats were able to show active feed resource selection in the TDF, and this could change according to the characteristics of the browsing site. Plants of the tropical deciduous forest (TDF) represent a valuable feed resource for goats in hot sub-humid environments, but little is known about the goats' feeding behaviour in the TDF. Sustainable use of TDF by browsing goats requires establishing whether plant resources will be consumed in proportion to their availability or whether particular plant species are actively selected or refused. This study showed that goats consumed several plant species, while actively selected only a few plants, and such behaviour changed in different browsing sites. This information could assist with the development of management strategies leading to protect the valuable plant resources of the TDF by goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of tannin-rich fodder (TRF) consumption on the saliva response of Criollo goats without previous browsing experience was determined. Eighteen kids were allocated into three treatments (n = 6 each): control group (CG), short-term tannin stimulus (TS) and long-term tannin stimulus (TL). Three experimental periods were used: adaptation (two weeks) in which the three treatment groups were fedPennisetum purpureumgrass and supplemented with a balanced feed. In period 1 (five weeks), TS and TL treatments were fed TRF (Lysiloma latisiliquum) with 55.5 g/kg DM condensed tannins (CT), grass and balanced feed. In period 2 (three weeks),L. latisiliquumfodder was withdrawn from the TS group. Thus, both the TS and the CG kids were only offered grass and balanced feed, while TL kids continued to receive TRF. In each period, saliva samples were collected to measure the tannin–protein interaction, salivary protein and protein turbidity index (PTI). The salivary protein was similar in all treatments and periods (P > .10). The goats' saliva reacted similarly when mixed with either tannic acid orL. latisiliquumwater-acetone extract. Although the PTI tended to increase in the TL group compared to CG and TS with time, such difference was not significant. Thus, TRF intake failed to further increase the salivary response or PTI. Therefore, the saliva of goats from Yucatan, without previous browsing experience do have a constitutive response as it can block tannins irrespective of TRF stimulus. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The objective of this study was to estimate the relationship between tannin binding salivary protein (TBSP) and condensed tannins (CT) intake in hair sheep and creole goats. Foliage was obtained from trees with different levels of CT content; animals were offered foliage ad libitum, with or without polyethylene glycol (PEG). Saliva haze development (SHD) was evaluated as evidence for TBSP. PEG consumption did not affect dry matter intake (DMI) (P > 0.05). Lignin (R = −0.714, P < 0.001) and Crude Protein (CP) (R = 0.622, P < 0.001) contents had a stronger association with DMI than CT (R = 0.622, P < 0.011) in sheep; no significant association was found in goats. The positive relationship between tannin intake and SHD (P < 0.05) was not confirmed after PEG supplementation in sheep (P > 0.09), but remained significant for goats (P < 0.01), except for those fed Lysiloma latisiliquum (P = 0.07). Foliage lignin or CP contents are better predictors of foliage intake than CT. Sheep and goats fed with tropical tree forages containing different levels of tannins exhibited differences in intake behavior; moreover, individual variations in TBSP expression helps explaining foliage DMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Effect of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) on goats´ feeding behaviour was studied. • Intake of plant species, macronutrients and condensed tannins (CT) was monitored. • Intake of plants, macronutrients and CT was similar irrespective of GIN infection. • Suppression of GIN does not modify feeding behaviour of goats in the tropical forest. Abstract The aim of this study was to identify modifications in the feeding behaviour of goats browsing a tropical deciduous forest (TDF) when natural gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection was suppressed. Continuous bite monitoring through direct observation was implemented in 12 Criollo goats (adults, non-pregnant) foraging for 4 h per day during the rainy season. In the first Period (P1, one observation point) all goats were maintained with natural GIN infection. In the second Period (P2, three observation points), goats were equally distributed into 2 groups: i) moxidectin treated group (TG) used in a suppressive scheme; and ii) naturally infected group (IG). For each observation point, goats were monitored at three timepoints per day (80 min each), for three consecutive days, to estimate their intake of dry matter (DM), condensed tannins (CT), crude protein, metabolizable energy and digestible DM. Live weight (LW), faecal samples and blood samples were obtained every 28 days to determine LW change, faecal egg counts (FEC) and packed cell volume (PCV). During P1 and P2, the TG and IG had similar LW change and PCV. During both periods, the intake of DM, CT and all macronutrients were similar for TG and IG. The suppression of GIN infection did not modify the feeding behaviour of goats. Therefore, a therapeutic self-medicative behaviour was not identified in Criollo goats browsing a TDF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Digestibility was compared using ruminal inoculum from sheep or goats vs cattle. • Prediction equivalence of digestibility was investigated for a set of tropical plant leaves. • Predictions between inoculums were fitted by orthogonal regressions. • At certain values, N-rich media negatively affect in vitro digestibility of goats. • In plants with <0.2 or >0.65 % of digestibility, acceptable equivalence could be assumed. This study compared the effect of ruminal inoculum from different donor species (goat vs. cattle and sheep vs. cattle) on the in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) of leaves from tropical plant species. Comparisons were performed with and without the addition of N and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Leaves from six tropical trees with different condensed tannin content were used (Caesalpinia gaumeri , Cordia alliodora , Gymnopodium floribundum , Neomillspaughia emarginata , Piscidia piscipula and Senegalia gaumeri). Donors of ruminal liquor included a ruminal cannulated adult cow (500 kg live weight [LW]), two growing Criollo goats (22 ± 3 kg LW, study one) and two growing Pelibuey lambs (24.8 ± 0.28 LW, study two). Donors were maintained in individual pens and received a basal diet with concentrate feed and Pennisetum purpureum grass. The IVDMD and IVOMD using sheep or goat vs. cow rumen liquor were determined from dry samples of a commercial concentrate feed, P. purpureum grass, and the leaves from experimental plants with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: with or without N-enriched media (+N and -N), and with or without polyethylene glycol (+PEG and -PEG). Respective standard linear regressions and orthogonal regressions were used to compare equivalence of IVDMD and IVOMD results between ruminal inoculum from different donor species (cattle vs. goat in study one and cattle vs. sheep in study two). The standard linear regressions suggested strong associations between the ruminal inocula compared, in both IVDMD and IVOMD with the four treatments (R2 > 87 % for study one and R2 > 89 % for study two, P < 0.001). However, orthogonal regressions showed differences between inocula of cattle and goats on IVDMD, when using + PEG media, and on IVDMD and IVOMD when using + N media (P < 0.05). Differences between inocula of cattle and sheep were only evident in the absence of PEG (P < 0.05). The standard linear and orthogonal regressions suggested that the IVDMD and IVOMD of leaves from tropical trees obtained with sheep or goats' ruminal liquors, within the evaluated range of digestibilities (c. 0.2 to 0.65), can be predicted from the IVDMD and IVOMD obtained with the cattle ruminal liquor. However, when evaluating digestibilities of leaves from tropical trees it is important to evaluate the specific incubation conditions using the donor species of interest to improve accuracy of results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]