EFFECTS OF A HIGH NACL DIET ON EATING AND DRINKING PATTERNS IN PYGMY GOATS

Eating and drinking patterns of eight pygmy goats were recorded under two diets with different NaCl content. A 3% NaCl diet in comparison to a 0.5% NaCl diet caused a long lasting depression of food intake, whe reas water intake did not change. Therefore, the ratio between cumulat ive water and food intake increased significantly. Feeding the 3% NaCl diet mainly decreased food intake through a decrease in the size (31% ) and frequency (16%) of meals which were not associated with drinking . Size and frequency of meals associated with drinking were not substa ntially affected by the 3% NaCl diet. Size and frequency of drafts wer e not altered. Size of meals associated with drinking was generally bi gger than that of meals nor associated with drinking. These findings c an best be explained by control of feeding through osmolality of rumen fluid. Ruminal osmolality seems to be less important for control of d rinking. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.