Performance of sheep fed diets based on sorghum silages treated with chemical and microbial additives

This study evaluated the effects of sorghum silages treated with chemical, microbial, and combined additives on fermentative quality, aerobic stability, nutritional composition, and productive performance of confined sheep. Forty uncastrated male sheep were used, distributed among four treatments: silage without additives (control); silage treated with a chemical additive based on organic acids; silage inoculated with <i>Lentilactobacillus buchneri</i>; and silage treated with the combination of both additives. The silages were evaluated after 90 days of storage, and the animals were confined for 60 days, receiving individually adjusted diets. The diets were provided as a total mixed ration composed of sorghum silage, ground corn, cottonseed cake, urea, mineral supplement, and ammonium sulphate, with the concentrate ingredients being mixed with the silage at the time of feeding. No significant differences in dry matter intake were observed among treatments. However, animals fed treated silages, especially with the combination of additives, showed greater intake of non-fibrous carbohydrates and metabolisable energy. The apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and ether extract was higher with the use of additives, particularly in the combined treatment, which also presented the highest total digestible nutrient content. Daily weight gain was greater in sheep fed silages treated with both additives. Furthermore, the additives improved aerobic stability and reduced discard losses during the feeding period. Therefore, the application of chemical and microbial additives to sorghum silage promoted better nutrient preservation, fermentative profile, and aerobic stability, resulting in greater nutrient utilisation and improved productive performance in sheep.