Effects of Supplementing Ruminant All-Concentrate and Purified Diets with Vitamins of the B Complex

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Three trials involving 110 lambs were conducted to determine if supplemental B-vitamins, fed or injected intravenously, improved performance of sheep fed either all-concentrate or purified diets. In addition, one-half of the animals receiving the purified diet were fed on slatted floors for the prevention of coprophagy. Twelve sheep, which were equipped with permanent rumen fistulae, were used to determine the effect of B-vitamin supplementation upon ruminal fluid concentrations of acetic, propionic, butyric acids and ammonia-nitrogen. B-vitamin supplementation, fed or injected, had no significant effect upon any response criteria employed. Indications are that adequate ruminal B-vitamin synthesis is obtained under a variety of dietary conditions.