This study evaluated the performance and carcass characteristics of lambs fed diets with increasing levels of
Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) hay replacing Buffel grass (
Cenchrus ciliaris). Twenty-eight Santa Inês male lambs with an average body weight (BW) of 20.3 ± 1.49 kg(mean ± SD) were allocated in individual stalls and distributed in a completely random design with four treatments (0, 20, 40, and 60 g/100 g total DM
M.
tenuiflora hay replacing Buffel grass hay in diet) with seven replications.
M.
tenuiflora hay at the level of 20% dry matter (DM) total replacing Buffel grass hay increased final weight (
P = 0.006), total weight gain (
P < 0.001), average daily weight gain (ADWG;
P < 0.001), DM intake (
P < 0.001), and feed efficiency (
P < 0.001). Intake of crude protein, NDF
ap, ADF
ap, ash, ether extract, total and non-fibrous carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients presented a positive quadratic effect with
M.
tenuiflora hay replacing Buffel grass hay and 40 g/100 g total DM level presented greater intake. There were positive quadratic effects by
M.
tenuiflora hay inclusion at 20 g/100 g total DM level on slaughtering weight (
P = 0.005), hot carcass weight (
P = 0.002), cold carcass weight (
P = 0.002), empty body weight (
P = 0.001), hot carcass yield (
P = 0.002), cold carcass yield (
P = 0.003), and increase linear on biological yield (
P = 0.003). There was no influence on cooling weight loss (
P = 0.284).
M.
tenuiflora hay may be included in lamb diets at amounts up to 20 g/100 g total DM substitution of Buffel grass hay because increase in the nutrients intake, growth performance, and carcass characteristics.
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