The objective of this work was to evaluate the feeding behavior, dry matter intake, and performance in goats fed hays of ramie (Boehemeria nivea G.), soybean (Neonotonia wightii) and elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum., cv. napier), offered to allow an excess of 30 or 60%, above the intake measured in the previous day. Thirty-six goats were allotted to a completely randomized design with six treatments in a factorial arrangement of 3 x 2 (hay and level of offer). The mean particle size of the hays was kept constant in 0.4 cm. The dry matter and crude protein intake increased as ramie hay was fed at 60% excess as compared to 30%. A reduction in the lignin intake occurred when the soybean hay was fed at the 60% level. Conversely, a decrease in crude protein intake and an increase in fiber detergent acid and lignin were observed as the offer of elephant cv. napier grass varied from 30 to 60%. Higher daily weight gain was observed for animals fed ramie hay. These results suggested that ramie hay was the best indication for the use in the feeding management of goats, with hays offered in excess
elephant grass cv. Napier; hay; ramie; feed selection; soybean
