Digestibilidade aparente de rações comerciais para emas (Rhea americana) em cativeiro

Abstract

Emas are omnivorous, when bred in captivity they can be fed with ration, green fodder and legumes. However, the diet is based on empirical knowledge and research information related to other species. Their ignorance may lead to sub or supernutrition of the animals, negatively influencing the productive efficiency and profitability of the system. In view of this approach, the present study aims to evaluate the apparent digestibility of diets used in the feeding routine of captive emas. The study was carried out at the Screening Center forWild Animals (CETAS) in the municipality of São Luís- MA. Two rations were used for equines in different life stages, the first one consisted of balanced commercial ration for young horses (Ration A) and the second, balanced commercial ration for adult horses (Ration B). The method of total collection and the bromatological analyzes of the rations and excreta were carried out at the Laboratory of Animal Nutrition of the State University of Maranhão (UEMA). It was evaluated the Coefficients of Apparent Digestibility of Dry Matter (DM) , Crude Protein (PB), Mineral Matter (MM) and Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and feed. The crude protein levels of the diets used were compatible with the requirement of the species. However, low apparent digestibility of nutrients does not ensure that commercial equine feeds supply the nutritional requirements of emas.