The objective ofthis study was to evaluate the effects inclusion of 0%, 33.3%, 66.7% and 100%natural matter (NM) of mesquite pod meal (MPM), in substitution of corn, onthe intake, digestibility and feeding behavior of lactating Saanen goats. Theforage:concentrate ratio in the diet was 40:60, using elephant grass silageas a forage source. Eight adult lactating goats with about 60 days in milk andweighting 50 kg were divided into two 4 × 4 latin squares and four 17-dayexperimental periods. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and total digestiblenutrient (TDN) intakes were not influenced by MPM levels. Ether extract (0.51;0.34; 0.36; 0.20 kg/day) and non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) (0.54; 0.53; 0.49;0.36 kg/day) intakes showed a linear effect with increased MPM. Organic matter(OM) and NDF intakes presented a quadratic behavior. The maximum OM intake wasestimated with the replacement of 40.5%. The maximum estimated intakes for NDFwere 0.665 kg/day and 14.8 g/kg body weight, with a replacement close to 60%.Nutrient digestibility coefficients and TDN levels (655.0 g/kg) were not affected,except for NFC. The time spent eating, ruminating and idle was not influencedby the addition of MPM. The feeding rate of DM had a linear decrease which reflectedthe intake restriction. Corn replacement with MPM should not exceed 40.5%, althoughits total replacement does not interfere with the intake of DM, CP and TDN onthe apparent digestibility of nutrients and most ingestive behavior parameters.
