Effect of collection time on the fermentative activity of microbes in equine faeces

The present study intended to evaluate the influence of the collection time of faeces on in vitro fermentation determined with the gas production technique and on the bacteriological counts of the fresh faeces, utilized as inoculum source. Three adult horses, fed hay and concentrates 3 times a day, were used as faeces donors. Fermentation of 5 feedstuffs (barley, oats, alfalfa, meadow hay, and wheat straw), was studied after four collection times: immediately before the morning meal (9:00h, t0), 2h after the morning meal (11:00h, t2), 2h after the 12:00h meal (t5) and immediately before the 17:00h meal (t8). Although there were no differences in pH and bacteriological counts, the proportion in volatile fatty acids, except for acetate, and the extent of fermentation were the highest for t2 (P