Nutritive value of maize silage with urea and calcium carbonate, and dried whole maize plant. II - Energy intake and digestibility

Whole maize plants were ensiled in 3 underground silos filled with 24 t each covered by concrete sealed with plastic. Silage treatments studied were: I- Corn silage with 0,5% urea plus 0,5% calcium carbonate; II- Corn silage plus 0,5% urea; III- Corn silage; IV- Whole corn plant dried on farming. Dried additives were added, based on percentage of dry matter at the moment of ensilage. Eight castrated three years old sheep were used. Latin square 4x4 experimental design was made, with one repetition. NH4 gas production was calculated, and the voluntary intake determined. Addition of urea increased dry matter and energy intake, bur addition of urea plus calcium carbonate resulted in a better feed intake. Crude energy digestibility was increased with urea and calcium carbonate. Dry matter and energy silage intake were similar to dried whole maize plant, although treatment IV had better energy digestibility than III. Results of treatment IV were similar to those of treatment III. Urea or urea plus calcium carbonate increased dry matter and energy intake.