Appetite Control in Sheep by Indigestible Fibers

Abstract

Introducing polypropylene fibers similar to hay stems in shape and texture into rumina of wethers caused marked reductions in chopped hay intake. Longer fibers caused larger and more prolonged intake reductions. When 3.5 or 7 cm. lengths were introduced, recovery of finely ground polypropylene in the feces was associated with increased intake of hay. When 30 cm. fibers were not cleared from the rumen, return to pretreatment hay intake levels did not occur. One factor limiting hay intake appears to be the rate of remastication of indigestible fibers and the clearance of such material from the rumen. Fiber introductions into the rumen caused intake reductions greater in magnitude than the proportional amount of fiber added. Copyright © 1967. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1967 by American Society of Animal Science