Water intake and ingestive behavior of sheep fed diets based on silages of cactus pear and tropical forages

The objective was to evaluate the water intake and ingestive behavior of sheep fed diets containing silages cactus pear combined with tropical forages. Forty without defined breed, intact, initial average weight 22.65 ± 1.01 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design 5 treatments 8 replications. experimental consisted silage (CPS), + buffel grass (CPBS), gliricidia (CPGS), pornunça (CPPS), corn (CS). CPGS provided higher via food, total intake, metabolic water, excretion feces urine (P < 0.05). Animals that received CS showed drinking fountain, less efficient feeding rumination dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, grams matter per cud, fiber shortest time spent chewing cud CPGS, CPPS, longer times for numbers cuds day CPS animals spending more idleness, lower quantity minute, concentration crystals urine, frequency ammonia-magnesium phosphate calcium oxalate. Silages based on are an alternative supply food semi-arid.