Twenty five castrated male sheep in a completely randomized design were used to evaluate the effect of increasing level of whole cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum) (0, 12, 24, 35 and 45%) to a basic diet of Tifton 85's hay (Cynodon spp.) on apparent digestibility of crude energy and consumption of digestible and metabolizable energy per unit of metabolic size and energy balance. Consumption of digestible energy increased to 24% of addition of whole cottonseed (192.58 Kcal/kg0,75/day). Since the energy requirements were supplied, the energy balance was positive for all diets. Animals fed on 24% whole cottonseed diets had higher energy comsuption, digestibility and energy balance.
Sheep; fat; energy; Tifton 85
