Ingestive behavior of Guzerat and Sindhi heifers under the effects of feed restriction

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feed restriction on the ingestive behavior of Guzerat and Sindhi heifers. A total of 36 heifers were used, 18 from each breed, randomly distributed in a completely randomized design, in a 2 x 3 factorial scheme. The treatments used were 20 and 40% restriction compared to intake by animals from the third group, which were fed ad libitum (without restriction). For the behavioral analysis, the scan sampling method was used by logging and recording times in five-minute intervals during 24 hours, thus estimating the time spent feeding, ruminating and idling. With regard to the imposed restrictions, it was observed that non-restricted animals showed greater feeding time and lower resting time (p < 0.05); the two breeds showed the same feeding efficiency. When subjected to levels up to 40% of feed restriction, both studied genotypes perform similarly with regard to ingestive behavior, feeding efficiency and cud chews. However, there was an effect of the restriction levels on the patterns of ingestive behavior and cud chews, although there were no changes to feeding efficiency or chewing time per cud.

Digestibility, ingestive behaviour and performance of non-descript breed hair lambs of different sexual classes subjected to feed restriction

“…In addition, the lower feed supply was compensated by a shorter feeding time of animals subjected to restraint, thereby DMI and feeding time varied proportionately. These results are consistent with those described by Ribeiro et al (2006) and Cândido et al (2012), who observed no effect of feed restriction on the IEDM and IENDF in goats and cattle, respectively.…”

“…According to Dulphy et al (1980), the RENDF is increased when there is a larger fibre intake by ruminants. A similar result was described by Cândido et al (2012), who observed higher values of REDM and RENDF in cattle fed ad libitum compared with those submitted to feed restriction. Galvani et al (2010) also observed greater RTDM in lambs subjected to feed restriction.…”

Behaviors associated with cows more prone to produce milk with reduced stability to ethanol test due to feeding restriction

“…Number of meals was unaffected by feeding restriction, which agrees with PF results and indicated that Restriction animals were able to manage reduced feeding allowance by distributing their consumption during the day. On the contrary, CÂNDIDO et al (2012) subjected heifers to a 40% feeding restriction and observed a reduction from 4.12 to 2.34 meals per day.…”