Effect of intraruminal inoculation on adaptation of lambs and heifers to a high-energy ration
Huber, T.L.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 35(5): 639-641
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 4857349 Document Number: 76568
Non-adapted lambs and heifers were intraruminally inoculated with ruminal fluid from sheep and steers adapted to a high-energy ration. Lambs inoculated with either 200 or 400 ml. of ruminal fluid did not have digestive problems when fed a high-energy ration ad libitum. Inoculation did not increase average daily body weight gain, but did improve feed efficiency when compared with that of lambs that were adapted to the ration over a 13-day-period. Heifers inoculated with one or two litres of ruminal fluid consumed approximately 31 and 35% more feed per day, respectively, over a 7-day-period than did non-inoculated heifers. Heifers fasted for 48 hours before inoculation consumed approximately 20% more feed per day than non-inoculated fasted controls.