EFFECT OF TWO LEVELS OF TEPOZAN BUSH (Buddleia cordata) HAY ON THE MICROORGANISMS IN THE RUMEN AND THE PRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR IN GOATS (EFECTO DE DOS NIVELES DE FOLLAJE DE TEPOZÁN HENIFICADO (Buddleia cordata) SOBRE LOS MICROORGANISMOS DEL RUMEN Y EL COMPORTAMIENTO PRODUCTIVO DE CABRAS)

The effect of including (0, 15, and 30%) arboreal forage of Buddleia cordata (Tepozan) was evaluated on the productive behavior and microorganisms in the rumen of goats. Thirty native goats with an average live weight of 14 kg were randomly distributed into three treatments and kept in individual pens for 45 days. Daily weight gain (DWG), dry matter consumption (DMC), rumen pH, and total and cellulolytic bacteria, and protozoan concentrations were measured at 30 and 45 days into the experimental period. The experimental design was completely random with measurements done through time, analyzing DWG, DMC, and rumen pH data with PROC MIXED. The number of bacteria was analyzed statistically by trust intervals. There were no differences among treatments (p>0.05) with the addition of B. cordata in the diet on DWG, DMC, rumen pH, or total and cellulolytic bacteria, and protozoan concentration. No differences were seen among periods (p>0.05) in any variable. The conclusion is that B. cordata hay can be included in goat diets up to a maximum of 30% without any negative variations in the productive variables or rumen microorganisms.