Use of Fecal Indices as a Non-Invasive Tool for Nutritional Evaluation in Extensive-Grazing Sheep

摘要

To adequately manage ruminants in extensive grazing, it is important to have non-invasive techniques to evaluate their nutritional status. Some of these techniques are based on the use of fecal indicators, such as the concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus and 2,6-diaminopimelic acid. These indices have been used in some species of wild ungulates, but their use has been limited in domestic ruminants. Hence, this research proposes the evaluation of fecal indices, as predictors of intake of dry matter, nitrogen and phosphorus in sheep that graze on Mediterranean annual grasslands.