Ingestive behavior, forage intake and performance of goats fed with different levels of supplementation

The objective of this work was to evaluate changes in ingestive behavior, dry matter intake, and performance of goats fed with different levels of supplementation, in black oat pasture (Avena strigosa, 'IAPAR 61'). Thirty-six ten-month-old Boer goats were used, with an initial average weight of 21 kg, which received supplementation with 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5% of body weight, in continuous stocking grazing with variable stocking rate. A randomized block design was used with three replicates. Evaluations were done for: height, accumulation rate, mass, offer, and structure of the pasture; stocking rate; individual and per-area weight gain; and time used for grazing, rumination and resting periods (ingestive behavior); besides forage intake. Supplementation decreased forage intake -2.4, 1.45, 1.43, and 1.05% of body weight, in treatments with 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5%, respectively-, daily grazing time, and the individual weight gain. The supplementation levels did not change total dry matter intake (forage + concentrate) neither the rumination time, but they increased resting time, which allowed greater animal performance per area.