The inclusion of spineless cactus in the diet of lambs increases fattening of the carcass

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacement manicoba hay by spineless cactus on the performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of confined lambs. Thirty-two male lambs, with an average body weight of 20.8 ± 2.9 kg, were fed with different levels of spineless cactus in replacement for 0, 33, 66 or 100% of manicoba hay (i.e. 0, 200, 400, 600 g kg−1 of dietary DM). The replacement manicoba hay by spineless cactus did not influence dry matter intake (g d−1) and cold carcass weight (P > .05), but increased (P