Microbial populations and ruminal fermentation of sheep and llamas fed low quality forages

The objective of this study was to assess the ruminal microbial population and fermentation of sheep and llamas fed low quality forages. Two llamas and three sheep with permanent ruminal cannula were fed ad libitum with a low quality fescue hay (Festuca arundinacea Schreb). The animals were adapted to forage feeding for 21 days, followed by one day of collection of the ruminal fluid (RF), during 2 experimental periods separated by 7 days. The RF was extracted before morning feeding. The llama forestomach content showed higher degree of fermentative activity than the sheep one, as indicated by NH3-N and VFA values (P smaller than 0.001). Similar densities of total bacteria, methanogens and fibrolytic bacteria were present in both species (P greater than 0.050). However, the forestomach of llamas contained higher density of total protozoa and Eudiplodinium (P smaller than 0.050), whereas holotrich protozoa were undetectable. In conclusion, the llama forestomach had higher fermentative activity than sheep rumen, different protozoa population, but no differences in bacterial population densities.