LAUSR

ABSTRACT We evaluated the influence of the substitution of soybean meal (SM) by detoxified castor cake (DCC) on the feeding behavior and physiological parameters of pregnant goats and fed with diets containing DCC by alkaline solutions in confinement regime during the stages of pregnancy (first two thirds third and final). Three diets were provided to the experimental animals: a herbal of soybean meal, and two others with detoxified castor (DCC) with calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The goats fed with NaOH DCC showed the lowest fuel intake, both DM and NDFap (P < 0.05). This variation in intake of DM directly influences at the time of supply, where we observed that the goats fed with NaOH DCC spent less time in this activity, which spent more time on other activities. In relation to the gestational phase, we observed that there was no effect (P > 0.05) on the intake of DM, NDFap, feeding time, rumination, idle and other activities. The detoxified castor with sodium hydroxide reduces the dry matter intake and feed efficiency of goats during pregnancy. The physiological parameters are influenced both by the diets as the stages of pregnancy, but without negative changes indicating that animal stress or discomfort.