Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of social relationships on the feed intake, eating behavior, and growth, upon exposure to a novel diet, in Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) heifers during pregnancy. Twenty-four pregnant Hanwoo heifers, averaging 438 ± 27.8 kg in weight, 21 months in age, and 194 ± 8.5 days in pregnancy, were involved in a two-month (eight weeks) experiment. The heifers were randomly assigned to either the single housing group (SG; one individual per pen, n = 12), or the paired housing group (PG; two individuals per pen, n = 12). All pens were of the same size (5 × 5 m) and provided with one feed bin, which automatically recorded the individual feed intake and eating behavior. As the experiment began, the diet of the heifers was switched from a total mixed ration (TMR; 250 g/kg ryegrass straw and 750 g/kg concentrate mix) to a forage-only diet (mixed hay cubes composed of 500 g/kg alfalfa, 250 g/kg timothy, and 250 g/kg blue grass hay). The heifers were fed ad libitum twice a day. The individual feed intake and eating behavior were recorded daily throughout the experiment, and body weights (BWs) were measured every four weeks before the morning feeding. PG animals visited the feed bin 22% less often than SG. PG, however, stayed 39% longer in the feed bin and consumed 40% more feed per visit, compared with SG. Consequently, PG heifers spent 23% more time in eating and had 16% more daily dry matter intake than SG during the experiment. Average daily gain during the experimental period tended to be greater in PG than in SG. When pregnant Hanwoo heifers encountered a novel diet, social relationships (i.e., presence of a pen-mate) enhanced their time spent eating and feed intake. Social interactions, even with an unfamiliar individual, may be helpful for pregnant Hanwoo heifers cope with a diet challenge compared to solitary situation.
Highlights
Cattle are social animals that live in groups under natural or semi-natural conditions
The results from this study suggest that the social interactions may be helpful for pregnant Hanwoo heifers to cope with the challenges posed by a novel diet
This study focused on the differences in dry matter intake (DMI), eating behavior (i.e., frequency—the number of visits to the feed bin per day, DMI per meal, time spent eating per visit and per day, eating duration per visit, and eating rate (g/min)), and growth performance (i.e., average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR)) caused by the housing condition
Summary
Cattle are social animals that live in groups under natural or semi-natural conditions. The intensive farming system often ignores the effects of social relationships among cattle, and the methods for group housing are mainly determined by animal productivity, ease of management, and farm economics (Val-Laillet et al, 2009). An individual animal might get disturbed by a farm procedure, such as re-grouping, diet change, or moving, which may result in discomfort and poor productivity (Bøe & Færevik, 2003; Grant & Albright, 2001). During such disruptive farm practices, the social interactions can be a source of stress, but can help an individual cope with other stresses (Broom, 1991). Understanding the impact of social interactions on the welfare and productivity of cattle is crucial for implementation of better farm practices
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