Feeding Competition Research Articles

Influence of Feed and Feeding Strategies on Rumen Microbiome: A Review

The presence of complex microorganisms in the rumen of ruminants are able to process the lignocellulose from low quality feed and fodder into volatile fatty acids, convert non-protein nitrogen into microbial protein and synthesize B vitamins, thus, ruminants are able to produce food of animal origin without competition for feed with non-ruminants and man. On the other hand, they contribute 14 per cent of anthropogenic methane, released annually into the atmosphere. Manipulating the rumen microbiome is considered as an important approach to reduce environmental impact, while increasing production efficiency in ruminants. A systematic literature search was undertaken and relevant research and review articles were downloaded, classified and salient points extracted to prepare the narrative review on “Influence of Feed and Feeding strategies on Rumen microbiome”. The microbial community in the rumen is the most diverse composed of bacteria, archaea, protozoa, fungi and uncharacterized virome. Differences in ruminal microbial community compositions are predominantly attributable to diet. Dietary manipulation offers a viable solution to alter the rumen microbiome so that the present-day challenges faced by the ruminant livestock industry is addressed.

Development of an algorithm to detect feed bunk replacement events in growing cattle from feeding event data acquired by an electronic feed intake measurement system

Visual observations of competitive feeding behavior in cattle have been associated with animal productivity, health, and social hierarchy. However, human visual observations are time consuming, limiting the number of animals that can be evaluated. The objective of this study was to develop and assess an algorithm to detect disruptive feed bunk replacement events using feeding event data acquired from the Vytelle SENSE feed intake measurement system. Crossbred beef steers (N = 20) fed a grower diet were housed in one of two pens each equipped with three electronic feed bunks and a video recorder. A trained video observer recorded all feed bunk replacement events (when an actor animal displaced a reactor animal from the feed bunk and occupied the same feed bunk within a specified time interval, termed as the replacement criterion) and other agonistic activities at the feed bunk during a 4-d period. The Vytelle SENSE feed intake measurement system recorded the start and end timestamps of individual bunk visit (BV) events of animals. An algorithm was developed to determine replacement events based on the start and end times of consecutive BV events. Using video observation as the gold standard, the recall, precision, and F-score of the algorithm was calculated corresponding to time intervals from 1 to 60 s. The optimum replacement criterion was determined to be ≤ 18 s and ≤ 22 s for pens 1 and 2 respectively. The recall, precision, and F-score of the algorithm using these replacement criterions were high (> 0.75). A competition index was computed for each steer, calculated as the number of actor-initiated events divided by the number of actor and reactor events at the feed bunk. Spearman’s rank correlations (rs) between total visually observed agonistic interactions at the feed bunk and the replacement events detected from the electronic feeding event data using the algorithm and replacement criterion of the respective pen was determined. There were strong correlations (rs ≥ 0.71; P < 0.05) between the observed and electronic values for the number of actor and reactor events, and the competition index. These results demonstrate the potential to quantify disruptive feed bunk replacement events in confined beef cattle using electronically collected feeding event data from the Vytelle SENSE feed intake measurement system.

Sound feeding signal for gestating sows: Evaluation of an individual learning strategy and its beneficial effects in groups.

Competition for feed in a group of gestating sows leads to aggression around feeding stations, which has a negative impact on their welfare. This study investigates the potential of teaching gestating sows an individual sound signal to reduce aggression resulting from competition for feed access, and thus improve their welfare in a group. A total of 32 sows were used. In a test room, “learning” sows (n = 16) went through 4 individual learning phases (27 days in total) to associate the individual sound signal with an invitation to feed from a one-way feeding station and to discriminate this individual sound signal from other unknown sound signals. After the learning phases, sows were subjected to a 3-day evaluation phase in groups of 4 sows. The "naive" sows (n = 16) were also introduced to the test room individually for 18 days, and in groups of 4 for 3 days without following the learning procedure. Learning sows correctly responded to 100% of their individual sound signal after only 8 days of individual learning, suggesting that they successfully associated the sound signal with feed access. Distinguishing between different sounds was harder as shown by only 18.8% of success after an unknown sound emission at the end of the individual learning phases. Naïve sows reduced the time spent in the feeder compared to learning sows (P < 0.001). On the second day of the group phase, learning sows were less aggressive than naïve sows (P < 0.05). Compared to high-ranking sows, low-ranking sows displayed a reduced number of spontaneous approaches to the feeder during the last individual learning phase (P < 0.001), and higher success rates in the group phase (P < 0.05). The study suggests that, for group-housed sows fed by an individual feeder, teaching sows an individual sound signal can modify their feeding and social behaviors, enhancing their overall well-being during feeding time. Furthermore, the results suggest that this individual learning may be particularly beneficial for low-ranking sows.

Understanding feeding competition under laboratory conditions: Rohu (Labeo rohita) versus Amazon sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys spp.)

Competitive interactions between species is widely prevalent within the animal world. In this manuscript, we attempted to understand feeding competitions between the Amazon sailfin catfish, an invasive species introduced globally, and rohu, a keystone species native to several countries within southeast Asia. We used two different size classes of each species, large-size having total length (TL, from snout tip to caudal fin) of 15–20 cm and fingerling having TL<6 cm, and feeding duration was used as a proxy to understand competition. Our results demonstrated that feeding durations of large-size rohu were either similar or significantly (P<0.05) higher in presence of catfish when compared to trials in presence of conspecifics, indicating that large-size rohu is not a weak competitor. However, feeding durations of fingerling rohu was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in presence of both large-size and fingerling catfish, when compared to trials in presence of conspecifics. Moreover, fingerling rohu also displayed freeze (alarm) behavior in presence of the catfish. Interestingly, presence of rohu had no significant (P>0.05) impact on feeding durations of catfish. Overall, the study demonstrated that invasive catfish may behaviorally outcompete fingerling rohu, thus, threatening the sustenance of a species that is native to several freshwaters around the globe.

It's about time: Feeding competition costs of sociality are affected more by temporal characteristics than spatial distribution.

For most herbivorous animals, group-living appears to incur a high cost by intensifying feeding competition. These costs raise the question of how gregariousness (i.e., the tendency to aggregate) could have evolved to such an extent in taxa such as anthropoid primates and ungulates. When attempting to test the potential benefits and costs, previous foraging models demonstrated that group-living might be beneficial by lowering variance in intake, but that it reduces overall foraging success. However, these models did not fully account for the fact that gregariousness has multiple experiences and can vary in relation to ecological variables and foraging competition. Here, we present an agent-based model for testing how ecological variables impact the costs and benefits of gregariousness. In our simulations, primate-like agents forage on a variable resource landscape while maintaining spatial cohesion with conspecifics to varying degrees. The agents' energy intake rate, daily distance traveled, and variance in energy intake were recorded. Using Morris Elementary Effects sensitivity analysis, we tested the sensitivity of 10 model parameters, of which 2 controlled gregarious behavior and 8 controlled food resources, including multiple aspects of temporal and spatial heterogeneity. We found that, while gregariousness generally increased feeding competition, the costs of gregariousness were much lower when resources were less variable over time (i.e., when calorie extraction was slow and resource renewal was frequent). We also found that maintaining proximity to other agents resulted in lower variance in energy intake when resources were more variable over time. Thus, it appears that the costs and benefits of gregariousness are strongly influenced by the temporal characteristics of food resources, giving insight into the pressures that shaped the evolution of sociality and group living, including in our own lineage.

Socioecological factors influencing intraspecific variation in ranging dynamics of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in Ndoki Forest.

Ranging dynamics are physical and behavioral representations of how different socioecological factors affect an organism's spatial decisions and space use strategies. Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are a model species to investigate the drivers of spatial dynamics based on both the natural variation in socioecological factors within the species and compared with their mountain gorilla counterparts. In this study, we evaluate the influences of resource seasonality and social dynamics on variation in home range size, utilization, and intergroup overlap among multiple gorilla groups over an 8-year study period in the northern Republic of Congo. This study shows that western lowland gorillas can have small home ranges comparable to mountain gorillas, rather than universally larger home ranges as previously supposed, and that home ranges are stable through time. The largest source of variation in space use was the degree of intergroup home range overlap. The study groups did not demonstrate intraspecific variation in range size nor changes in intergroup overlap with respect to seasonality of fruit resources, but all groups demonstrated expansion of monthly range and core area with group size, matching predictions of intragroup feeding competition. These findings highlight the potential impact of intergroup relationships on space use and prompt further research on the role of social dynamics in ranging strategies. In this study, we reveal a greater degree of variability and flexibility in gorilla ranging behavior than previously realized which is relevant to improving comparative studies and informing conservation strategies on behalf of these endangered primates.

Stepwise degradation of organic matters driven by microbial interactions in China΄s coastal wetlands: Evidence from carbon isotope analysis

The microbial “unseen majority” as drivers of carbon cycle represent a significant source of uncertain climate change. To comprehend the resilience of life forms on Earth to climate change, it is crucial to incorporate knowledge of intricate microbial interactions and their impact to carbon transformation. Combined with carbon stable isotope analysis and high-throughput sequencing technology, the underlying mechanism of microbial interactions for organic carbon degradation has been elucidated. Niche differentiation enabled archaea to coexist with bacteria mainly in a cooperative manner. Bacteria composed of specialists preferred to degrade lighter carbon, while archaea were capable of utilizing heavier carbon. Microbial resource-dependent interactions drove stepwise degradation of organic matter. Bacterial cooperation directly facilitated the degradation of algae-dominated particulate organic carbon, while competitive feeding of archaea caused by resource scarcity significantly promoted the mineralization of heavier particulate organic carbon and then the release of dissolved inorganic carbon. Meanwhile, archaea functioned as a primary decomposer and collaborated with bacteria in the gradual degradation of dissolved organic carbon. This study emphasized microbial interactions driving carbon cycle and provided new perspectives for incorporating microorganisms into carbon biogeochemical models.

Do the determinants of dominance index and social rank in adult rams vary by breed?

The aim of the present study was to determine factors influencing the establishment of dominance hierarchy in Hemsin, Chios and Karakul rams. Rams aged 6–7 years old from Hemsin (n = 13), Chios (n = 12) and Karakul (n = 14) sheep breeds were used. The feed competition test was applied to determine the dominance status of rams within their own breeds. After testing all possible pairs, dominance index and social ranks for each ram was calculated. Body weight, numerous body measurements, horn length and testosterone concentration were evaluated as predictor variables in stepwise regression analysis. Improved linearity index value was 0.522, 0.6224 and 0.7033 for Hemsin, Chios and Karakul rams (Pr<0.001), respectively. In Hemsin rams, the regression model including body weight and tail width explained 75.3% of the variation in dominance index (P = 0.001). The model, which included body weight and testosterone concentration, explained 68% of the variance and was the best model for prediction of the dominance index in Chios rams (P < 0.01). The model including rump width, tail width and linear horn length explained 79.5% of the variation in dominance index in Karakul rams (P = 0.001). When the principal component scores determined by principal component analysis were utilised as predictors in stepwise regression analysis, no variables were incorporated into the model for Karakul rams. Moreover, worse predictions were obtained with principal component scores compared to the analysis conducted with raw data in Hemşin and Chios rams. When the results of the current study are evaluated observationally, factors determining the dominance hierarchy vary by breed of rams.

Flexible feeding: Dairy cow personality affects changes in feeding behavior and milk production under feed competition conditions

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of individual cow personality traits on feeding behavior and production under low levels of feeding competition, and to determine whether personality traits influence how feeding behavior changes in response to greater feeding competition. Forty-two Holstein cows were assigned to 1 automated feed bin per cow (low competition condition) from 15 to 28 d in milk (DIM; period 1, P1), and 2 feed bins per 3 cows (higher competition condition) from 63 to 76 DIM (period 2, P2). A total mixed ration (TMR) was fed into the automated feed bins which recorded each feed bin visit time, duration, and intake. Cow personality traits were assessed at 21 DIM during P1 and at 70 DIM during P2 using a combined arena test, measuring behavioral responses to a novel environment, novel object, and novel human. Principal components analysis of behaviors observed during the P1 combined arena test revealed 1 factor (interpreted as active-explorative) from the novel environment test explaining 51% of the variance, and 3 factors (interpreted as fearfulness, active-explorative, and sociability toward conspecifics) from each of the novel object (76% cumulative variance) and human (75% cumulative variance) tests. The principal components analysis of behaviors observed during the P2 combined arena test revealed 2 factors jointly from the environment, object, and human tests (interpreted as fearfulness and active-explorative) that together explained 68% of the variance. Fearfulness and active-explorative trait scores were correlated across P1 and P2, indicating stability of personality over a challenging period and advancing DIM. In P2 when competition for feed was increased at greater stage of lactation, the more active-explorative cows appeared to make few alterations to their feeding behavior, yet still maintained their milk yield, compared with lower competition in P1. In contrast, cows who were more fearful increased their feed bin visits from P1 to P2, and less fearful cows increased their eating rate, without increased milk production, despite advanced lactation. Overall, the results indicate that cows of different personalities adopt different feeding strategies in response to a change in their environment, and may benefit from tailored management during challenging periods.

Facile Production of Biodiesel from Candlenut Oil (&lt;i&gt;Aleurites moluccana&lt;/i&gt; L.) Using Photocatalytic Method by Nano Sized-ZnO Photocatalytic Agent Synthesized via Polyol Method

Biodiesel production from non-edible oil is an alternative way to reduce edible oil dependency and reduce the competition for feed and food. Candlenut oil (Aleurites moluccana L.) is one of the non-edible oils which can be used as feedstock for biodiesel production since they have a high oil content. Herein, the biodiesel production from candlenut oil has been conducted using zinc oxide (ZnO) synthesized by the polyol method. Polyol methods facilitated the formation of ZnO nanoparticles with various shapes, including spherical, rod, and hexagonal. Besides, ZnO showed a mesoporous characteristic, facilitating the conversion of fat fatty acid to fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) of 61%. Increasing ZnO dosage led to enhancing the FAME yield. Similarly, the FAME yield was also improved by increasing the reaction time. The results of esterification of candlenut oil and methanol yielded 70.76% FAME with 2% nano-ZnO polyol catalyst at 180 min reaction time at room temperature whilst being stirred constantly at 400 rpm. A good FAME conversion using ZnO at room temperature provides good information to produce biodiesel with a simple method. Apart from that, photocatalytic promoted transesterification at room temperature, which is beneficial for reducing energy consumption.

Aggression rates increase around seasonally exploited resources in a primarily grass-eating primate

Abstract Female social relationships are often shaped by the distribution of dietary resources. Socioecological models predict that females should form strict linear dominance hierarchies when resources are clumped and exhibit more egalitarian social structures when resources are evenly distributed. While many frugivores and omnivores indeed exhibit dominance hierarchies accompanied by differential resource access, many folivores deviate from the expected pattern and display dominance hierarchies despite evenly distributed resources. Among these outliers, geladas (Theropithecus gelada) present a conspicuous puzzle; females exhibit aggressive competition and strict dominance hierarchies despite feeding primarily on non-monopolizable grasses. However, these grasses become scarce in the dry season and geladas supplement their diet with underground storage organs that require relatively extensive energy to extract. We tested whether female dominance hierarchies provide differential access to underground storage organs by assessing how rank, season, and feeding context affect aggression in geladas under long-term study in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. We found that the likelihood of receiving aggression was highest when feeding belowground and that the inverse relationship between rank and aggression was the most extreme while feeding belowground in the dry season. These results suggest that aggression in geladas revolves around belowground foods, which may mean that underground storage organs are an energetically central dietary component (despite being consumed less frequently than grasses), or that even “fallback” foods can influence feeding competition and social relationships. Further work should assess whether aggression in this context is directly associated with high-ranking usurpation of belowground foods from lower-ranking females following extraction.

Meat Quality Traits in Beef from Heifers: Effect of including Distiller Grains in Finishing Pasture-Based Diets

Distiller grains (DG), which are the by-product from the bioethanol industry, represent an interesting alternative as animal feedstock. To our knowledge, little information is available on the inclusion of DG on the quality of meat from pasture-fed heifers. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of DG inclusion in pasture-based systems on the main meat quality attributes of Charolais x Aberdeen Angus heifers. For this purpose, meat from heifers fed with a pasture-based diet without supplementation (P) or with 0.75% of live weight DG supplementation (PDG; DG plus dry-rolled corn, 50:50) or with 0.75% of live weight dry-rolled corn supplementation (PRC) was evaluated. Physical (pH, WHC, color, texture), sensory and nutritional (fat content, fatty acid, and amino acid profile) attributes were evaluated in beef samples. No effect of supplementation was observed on meat pH or color (p &gt; 0.05). Meat from PDG heifers showed higher values of WBSF than meat from P heifers (p = 0.039). However, the overall tenderness evaluated by trained panelists showed no differences due to supplementation (p &gt; 0.05). Our results indicate that the inclusion of DG as a partial corn-replacement supplementation for heifers under grazing represents a strategic tool not only related to meat quality, but also as an alternative to reduce food–feed competition.

Temperate pasture- or concentrate-beef production systems: steer performance, meat nutritional value, land-use, food–feed competition, economic and environmental sustainability

AbstractThe objective was to evaluate steer performance, meat nutritional value, land-use, food–feed competition and both economic and environmental sustainability within temperate pasture-based suckler weanling-to-beef systems with or without (forage-only) concentrates. Post-weaning, 8-month-old, late-maturing breed steers (333 kg) were assigned to one of three systems: (1) grass silage + 1.2 kg concentrate DM (148 days), followed by pasture (123 days) and finished on ad libitum concentrates (120 days) – slaughter age, 21 months (GRAIN); (2) as per (1) but pasture (196 days) and finished on grass silage ad libitum + 3.5 kg concentrate DM (124 days) – slaughter age, 24 months (SIL + GRAIN); and (3) grass silage-only (148 days), pasture (196 days), silage-only (140 days) and finished on pasture (97 days) – slaughter age, 28 months (FORAGE). The mean target carcass weight was 390 kg for each system. Data generated were used to parameterize a farm-level beef systems model. Concentrate DM intake was 1187, 606 and 0 kg/head for GRAIN, SIL + GRAIN and FORAGE, respectively. The forage-only (FORAGE) system offers several advantages, including improved farm profitability, enhanced meat fatty acid profile and only utilized inedible human feed. Consequently, associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per net human edible food produced were more favourable for FORAGE. However, compared to GRAIN, the FORAGE system had an older age at slaughter and associated increased pasture land-use and GHG emissions per animal, meat weight gain and essential amino acids gain. There are therefore inevitable trade-offs, as one beef system does not improve all sustainability and GHG emission metrics.

Density estimation for an island population of raccoon dogs in Japan using fecal DNA

Estimation of the population size is essential for understanding population dynamics. Estimating animal density using multiple methods and/or multiple attempts is required for accurate estimations. Raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides is native to East Asia, including Japan, and has become an invasive species in Europe. Information on raccoon dog density in their native range is important to understand their invasion; however, relatively few studies have been conducted on raccoon dog density in their native range. In this study, we extracted DNA from fecal samples of raccoon dogs inhabiting a small island in Japan and conducted density estimation over two periods using DNA capture‐recapture methods: CAPWIRE and SECR. We also investigated sex ratio using genetic sex identification. Density estimates using SECR were approximately threefold different between the two study periods: 17.2 individuals per km2 in 2018 and 49.0 individuals per km2 in 2020. In contrast, estimates using CAPWIRE were relatively stable: 21.7 individuals per km2 in 2018 and 24.3 individuals per km2 in 2020. A drastic increase or decrease is not expected during the study period, and thus, density estimates using CAPWIRE are more reasonable than those using SECR. The small number of samples per individual might result in low accuracy of density estimates by SECR. The density estimated by CAPWIRE was similar to that in the main island in Japan and higher than that in Europe. Feeding competition with other omnivorous carnivores and/or predation risk by wolves might maintain the low density in Europe. The sex ratio of raccoon dogs was 1:1, which was similar to the values in invasive raccoon dogs and other canids. Further genetic census, including sex identification in various landscapes in their native and invasive range, will enable us to understand not only the ecology of raccoon dogs but also their adaptations to their invading areas.

18. Behaviour of gestating sows after a repeated feeding competition

18. Behaviour of gestating sows after a repeated feeding competition

Monkeys who experience more feeding competition utilize social information to learn foraging skills faster

Animals must learn foraging skills to successfully survive and reproduce but the sources of interindividual variation in learning are poorly understood. For example, there is little consensus on the role motivation plays, even though it is a key factor impacting learning outcomes in humans. Here, we conduct a field experiment on a wild primate to investigate whether an individual’s vulnerability to feeding competition impacts their motivation to learn a beneficial foraging technique. We provided a group of monkeys with a food reward (i.e., a half banana) that needed to be retrieved from a box. The monkeys discovered an efficient technique that consistently allowed them to retrieve the banana quickly, decreasing the risk of food loss to competitors. We found that individuals who frequently experienced feeding competition learned this efficient technique significantly faster than individuals who rarely foraged in the presence of a dominant competitor. They appeared to use social learning to learn faster as they were more attentive to the handling techniques others used and improved their foraging skills after opportunities to observe a skilled demonstrator. These findings support that an individual’s vulnerability to feeding competition impacts their motivation to learn foraging skills that reduce food loss to competitors.

Hierarchical Interaction between Food Diversity and Competition in Brackish Fish Species in South Korea

Information about the food sources for fish is important not only for predation and food competition, but also for the direct impact on organism interactions, relationships, and biodiversity within aquatic ecosystems. We analyzed the food sources of 21 fish species in 9 families of 6 orders based on the literature data from brackish ecosystems in South Korea to improve the understanding of the estuarine ecosystem. The food sources of the 21 fish species contained 173 families, 86 orders, 39 classes, and 22 phyla. The 21 fish species were classified into 4 groups using hierarchical analysis based on their food sources: Group 1 fishes mainly consumed Amphipoda; Group 2 fishes were zooplanktivores; Group 3 were omnivorous; and Group 4 consumed small food sources, such as Nematoda, Corophiidae, and Harpacticidae. The feeding competition index was relatively high within each group, but the competition index for Group 3, the omnivorous fishes, was low. Network analysis and hub scores represented the importance of food sources consumed by each fish species by showing the connections between the fish and their prey. Polychaeta, Actinopterygii, and Decapoda were the most commonly consumed food sources. Food source diversity was high for zooplanktivores (group 2). Additionally, the food contents of each fish species were classified into freshwater and marine sources for identifying the habitats of the food sources. Trophic level measuring values using the data were similar to the reported literature data. This study can be utilized for understanding estuarine ecosystems and identifying food relationships.

Gradually weaning goat kids may improve weight gains while reducing weaning stress and increasing creep feed intakes.

Most dairy goat farms rear kids on ad libitum milk replacer; calf research suggests this improves growth and welfare, but solid feed intakes are problematic. Weaning can be gradual (incremental milk reduction) or abrupt (sudden, complete milk removal, which evidence suggests reduces welfare). Three treatments were created: abrupt weaning (AW: ad libitum milk until weaning) and gradual weaning [milk ad libitum until day 35, then milk unavailable 3.5 h/day until day 45 when milk removal was a 7 h/day block (gradual weaning 1: GW1) or two 3.5 h/day blocks (gradual weaning 2; GW2)]; complete milk removal occurred at day 56 for all. Experiment 1 investigated on-farm feasibility, behavior, and average daily gain (ADG). Experiment 2 investigated feed intakes, behavior, and ADG for AW and GW2. Experiment 1 had 261 kids (nine pens of 25-32), CCTV recorded 6 h/day, and group-level scan sampling recorded target behaviors. Kruskal-Wallis tests showed GW2 kids spent more time feeding on solids during weaning (p = 0.001) and displayed lower levels of 'frustrated suckling motivation' PostWean (p = 0.008). However, feeding competition differed PreWeaning (p = 0.007). ADG data from 159 female kids analyzed by a general linear model (fixed factor: treatment; covariate: day 34 weight) found GW2 had the highest ADG from day 35-45 (p ≤ 0.001) and no differences from day 45 to 56, and AW had the highest ADG PostWean (day 56-60). Experiment 2 had two AW pens (9 kids/pen) and two GW2 pens (8 and 9 kids/pen). A computerized feeder recorded milk intakes from day 22 to 56. Pen-level solid feed/water intakes were recorded from day 14-70. General linear models (fixed factor: treatment; covariate: PreWean value) found GW2 kids had higher ADG (p = 0.046) and lower milk intake (p = 0.032) from day 45-55, and PostWean (day 56-70) trended toward GW2 higher ADG (p = 0.074). Mann-Whitney U tests showed pen-level feed intake differences: AW had higher creep and straw throughout, GW2 showed higher creep during weaning (day 35-55), and higher water PostWean (>56 d). Behavioral observations suggest that gradually weaned kids may have enhanced welfare. Pen-level gradual weaning is feasible and, while weight gain results were mixed, it reduced milk intake, increased creep intake, and therefore combined with behavioral evidence can be recommended.

Comparative advantage of improved feed trough and the traditional feeding material for efficient utilization of crop residue at small-scale farmers in Northwestern Tigray, Ethiopia

The study was conducted to reduce the high feed wastage by practicing the improved feed trough in the study area. The trail was conducted at Tahtay Koraro district Northwestern zone of Tigray, Ethiopia. Improved feed trough was constructed on a total of 20 interested farmers. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected andanalyzed using descriptive statistics. The result showed that the improved feed troughs reduced feed waste significantly in the study area. That is 4.13% and 25% feed loss respectively in improved and traditional feed troughs. The result from the farmers perception also shows that, the farmers were preferred the technology in its less feed wastage, reduces feed contamination, gives an opportunity for persons to do other task than keeping animals, comfortable for the animals, reduces feed competition among the animals; and protects the feed from rain and sun. But farmers are less preferred the technology in its cost for its construction. Therefore, based on the result it is recommended that the technology has to be popularized and promoted to the large number of the farmers of the area for the efficient crop residue utilization.

Effects of a competitive feeding situation on the behaviour and energy requirements of gestating sows

Effects of a competitive feeding situation on the behaviour and energy requirements of gestating sows