After homogenization of total excreted faeces from each animal,
a representative sample was taken and dried in a forced-circulation
air oven (Marconi, model MA035-5, Piracicaba, Brazil) at 55 C for
72 h. After drying, the samples were weighed to obtain the values of
dry matter content and then milled in a knives-type mill through
1 mm sieve.