Rumination Periods Research Articles

Reassessing rumination: Validity of the Day Reconstruction Method for Rumination (DRM-R) to assess episodes of rumination in daily life.

Rumination is a robust vulnerability to depression and potential treatment target. However, we know relatively little about rumination in daily life. This study tested the validity of a new approach for assessing daily episodes of rumination, the Day Reconstruction Method for Rumination (DRM-R). Participants (N = 127) who were either high or low in neuroticism completed baseline self-report measures (e.g., depression, trait rumination). Next, they completed the DRM-R by reconstructing the previous day into a series of "scenes," identifying discrete episodes of rumination, and responding to follow-up items about each episode. 78.6% of high neuroticism participants reported experiencing discrete periods of rumination, 80.0% reported constant ruminative thoughts in the back of their heads, and 68.6% reported ruminative thoughts of fluctuating intensity. Time spent ruminating was moderately correlated with trait measures of rumination and worry. Findings provide preliminary evidence that the DRM-R is a valid method for assessing discrete episodes of rumination in daily life. The DRM-R may reveal, ideographically, the relationship between specific thought content and features of ruminative episodes (e.g., length, frequency). Further research is needed to establish whether the DRM-R can detect changes in rumination across multiple days and how it corresponds with traditional daily diary methods and ecological momentary assessment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Sensor validation to record rumination and analysis of behavioral parameters of dairy Gyr heifers in feedlot systems

The use of sensors for livestock monitoring has grown in the last decade, motivated not only by the search for improvements in animal production and health, but also by the better use of physical, financial, and human resources in the management of livestock. Since precision livestock farming depends on technological innovation, including the use of sensors, it is essential to validate their applicability in confined animals. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the functioning of the SCR Heatime® HR System sensor in heifers and analyze the behavioral differences of these animals in two feedlot systems (tie-stall and loose-housing). Eleven Gyr heifers of 10months of age and an average body weight of 179 ± 26kg were used. Animals were equipped with the SCR Heatime® HR System 7days before the evaluations for adaptation, with the behavioral and system studies carried out during two periods each of 5days, for 8h a day. Five heifers were housed in tie-stall bedding and six were housed in loose-housing. After the evaluations for a period, animals have been switched systems in the following period. While the animals had the sensors attached to their bodies, behavioral evaluations were also performed visually, every 3min by two evaluators per system. Behavior activities were characterized as standing, lying, idle standing, idle lying, ruminating standing, ruminating lying, feed, and water intake. The regression for the rumination activity recorded between the sensor and the visual assessment was significant only for loose-housing (P = 0.0002), but the Pearson correlation between both was negative and low (r = - 0.25; P = 0.0002). The sensor overestimated rumination by 27.3% in loose-housing (28 vs. 22min/2h) and 38.5% in tie-stall (36 vs. 26min/2h). Thus, when considering the different feedlot systems, validation was not possible due to the overestimation of time spent on rumination activity determined by the sensor. In the behavioral comparison between the systems by visual assessment, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) for the behaviors of motor activity, idle lying, total idle time, and feed intake between the animals in the two housing systems. As for idle standing, ruminating standing, total rumination time, and water intake, there was no difference (P > 0.05). However, the time spent ruminating lying was greater from 10:00 to 12:00h (43 ± 3min/2h) in the tie-stall, whereas in the loose-housing the animals distribute more uniformly their rumination from 08:00 to 16:00h (26min/2h on average). Therefore, the use of the SCR Heatime® HR System sensor is not recommended for Gyr heifers housed in tie-stall and loose-housing systems. Regarding the daytime range of rumination and the accuracy improvements of similar sensors, it is recommended to develop them in both feedlot systems using the periods of less rumination in early morning in tie-stall and late afternoon in loose-housing.

PENGARUH PEMBERIAN SILASE CAMPURAN RUMPUT DAN DAUN MARKISA HUTAN DENGAN PROPORSI YANG BERBEDA TERHADAP TINGKAH LAKU KAMBING KACANG (Effect of feeding silage made of different ratio of kume grass and wild markisa leaves on feeding beahavior of male kacan

This research aimed to study the effect of feeding silage of kume grass and Pasiflora foetida leaves differing in their ratio on fiber intake and digestibility, rumen VFA and blood glucose concentration of male kacang goats. This study used four male kacang goats with the average body wight of 10,5 kg. This experiment followed a 4x4 Latin Square design with four treatments in four 21-day periods as replications. The treatments were M0 : silage made of 100 % kume grass, M20 : silage made of 80% kume grass + 20% Passiflora foetida, M40 : 60% kume grass + passiflora foetida 40%, M60 : 40% kume grass + 60% Passiflora foetida. Result showed that feeding silage made of different ratio of kume grass and Passiflora foetida leaves did not significantly (P&gt;0,05) affect the length and frequency of eating, the length of rumination period as well as the length and frequency of resting period. Therefore, it can be concluded that inclusion of P. foetida in the silage mix with kume grass up to 60% is considered save as it did not affect the feeding behaviour of Kacang goats.

Effect of buffer feed technology on the behaviour of crossbred calves

Twelve crossbred calves (131-221d and 57.5-93.9kg) were divided into three groups. One animal from each group was randomly allotted to one of the four treatments viz. T1, T2, T3, and T4. Animals were given grass mixture and wheat straw. The concentrate mixture contained barley grain and mustard cake. The amount of each feed ingredient for each animal was calculated based on the NRC feeding standard. Apart from this, each animal also received 20 g of common salt and 25 g of mineral mixture. Buffer in the form of sodium bicarbonate and magnesium oxide in combination at the rate of 0.00 and 0.00, 0.20 and 0.10, 0.40 and 0.20 and 0.06 and 0.30 per cent of live weight were given in T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively. During the excretion behavior trial frequency of urine and fecal excretion during the whole day was divided into four quarters viz., 0.00-6.00 hours (I), 6.00-12.00 hours (II), 12.00-18.00 hours (III), and 18.00-0.00 hours (IV) were recorded. During the trial animal intakes, ruminates, or rests in each quarter of the day were recorded after 15 minutes. The study focused that the frequency of fecal excretion reduced and urine excretion increased, the standing period became longer, the rumination period increased and the total number of rumination cycles and mastication decreased due to the addition of buffer in the diet. The rumination cycle was completed in a short period and the number of mastication involved in one rumination cycle was less in the last quarter. The time used to chew one bolus was longer in II and III quarters sessions. Time taken per mastication was shorter in the afternoon session (III quarter). The overall conclusion of the study revealed that the addition of buffer in ruminant nutrition (buffer feed technology) was responsible to reduce rumination in calves.

Comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros suplementados com níveis de glicerol em substituição ao milho

Objetivou-se com o experimento estudar os intervalos de tempo e o número de dias de observação para avaliação do comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros confinados. Utilizaram-se 25 animais castrados, com peso médio de 23,80 ± 2,0 kg. Os animais foram alojados em baias individuais e distribuídos ao acaso em cinco dietas, constituídas de volumoso (feno de capim tifton) e concentrados a base de milho, soja e níveis de glicerol, fornecidos na proporção de 60:40 (volumoso: concentrado), duas vezes por dia. O registro das atividades foi realizado durante três períodos de 24 horas, registrando o tempo despendido em alimentação, ruminação, ócio e efetuando-se a discretização dessas séries em número de período de alimentação, ruminação e ócio, e as eficiências de alimentação e ruminação da matéria seca e fibra em detergente neutro. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por: 0; 3, 6, 9 e 12% de glicerol em substituição da matéria seca do milho na dieta, e cada tratamento tinha cinco repetições. Os tempos despendidos em alimentação, ruminação e ócio e o número de período de ruminação não diferiram em nenhum dos níveis de glicerol na dieta. Porém, para o número de períodos de alimentação e ócio, apresentaram diferenças significativas. Conclui-se que a adição de glicerol nas dietas de cordeiros confinados em substituição parcial do milho, não afetou o tempo de alimentação, ruminação e ócios, a número de período de ruminação. Entretanto, pode afetar o número de período de alimentação e ócio.

Partial replacement of corn silage with soybean silage on nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and milk fatty acid profile of dairy cows

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing corn silage (CS) with whole-plant soybean silage (SS) in dairy cow diets on nutrient intake and apparent total-tract digestibility, rumen fermentation, milk yield, composition and fatty acid profile of milk, serum metabolites, and feeding behavior. Twenty-four Holstein cows were enrolled to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment (21 d-periods), with samples and data collected during the last 7 d of each period. Treatments consisted of a control diet (CON) with 480 g/kg DM CS, and SS (ensiled at R5.5 phenological stage) replacing CS at 167, 333, and 500 g/kg DM. Soybean silage linearly decreased DM intake and digestibility, and intake of feed particles shorter than 4 mm. Cows fed SS had a linear increase in ruminal pH and ruminal concentrations of butyrate, branched-chain fatty acids, and NH3-N. Soybean silage linearly decreased milk and solids yield. Dietary inclusion of SS at expense of CS linearly increased milk fat concentration of unsaturated (C18:1 and C18:2) and long chain fatty acids (>C16). Microbial protein synthesis was linearly decreased and blood urea nitrogen concentration was linearly increased by SS treatments. Soybean silage had a positive quadratic effect on periods of rumination and chewing (min/d). Replacing CS with SS ensiled at R5.5 phenological stage decreases feed intake and performance of cows, without affecting milk fat content. Dietary SS, however, can be used to modulate ruminal fermentation and increase long-chain fatty acids (>C16) and unsaturated fatty acids proportion on milk fat.

Changes of the Rumination Characteristics in Dairy Cows After Change TMR Composition

Rumination behavior in cattle is important for health and reproduction management of herd. The aim of presented paper was to evaluate change in rumination behavior in dairy cattle after changing total mixed ration (TMR) composition. Twenty-eight multiparous Red Holstein dairy cows were observed during rumination in first month after calving and in fourth month after calving. Cows were fed different total mixed ratio at beginning of lactation in first month after calving (TMR1) and in mid of lactation period in fourth month after calving (TMR2). TMR2 has higher content of roughage. Length of the single rumination period and number of jaw movements during rumination one bolus were recorded. Frequency of jaw movement per minute was calculated from recorded rumination characteristics. Rumination of one bolus TMR2 was longer (TMR1 = 53.97 ±8.241 sec, TMR2 = 57.57 ±6.290 sec) and cow perform more jaw movements (TMR1 = 61.0 ±10.674, TMR2 = 65.99 ±9.682) than ruminating bolus TMR1. Difference in duration of rumination one bolus as well as number of jaw movement was significant (P &lt; 0.001). Frequency of jaw movement was not significantly affected (P &gt; 0.05) and seem to be intra-individual stable. Rumination evaluated by correlation of rumination characteristics for TMR1 and TMR2 was intra-individual stable despite of changes in times of jaw movement and duration of one bolus rumination.

Linear correlations between feed intake and ingestive behavior of feedlot lambs

The objective of this study was to evaluate linear correlations between feed intake and ingestive behavior of feedlot lambs. Were used ten castrated male Santa Inês sheep with a body weight of 20 ± 4.38 kg, at four months of age. The experiment lasted 50 days, with five 10-d periods, in which an evaluation of feed intake and ingestive behavior was undertaken per period, totaling 50 replicates. The diet was composed of concentrate ingredients only. The analyses were performed by Pearson’s linear correlations and the t test, and means were considered significant when P≤0.05. Intake showed positive correlations (P≤0.05) with the times spent feeding and ruminating and total chewing time, and a negative correlation (P≤0.05) with other activities. Positive correlations were found between the number of feeding periods, number of other activities and the time per rumination period with intake (P≤0.05). A negative correlation was found between the feed efficiency of dry matter and the intake, as well as the other nutrients (P≤0.05). The behavioral characteristics related to feed intake appear to be correlated, which allows for inferences through the study of these variables. The activities related to nutrient intake, with respect to time and efficiency, can be expressed directly through the animal behavior.

Identification of the Rumination in Cattle Using Support Vector Machines with Motion-Sensitive Bolus Sensors.

The reticuloruminal function is central to the digestive efficiency in ruminants. For cattle, collar- and ear tag-based accelerometer monitors have been developed to assess the time spent ruminating on an individual animal. Cattle that are ill feed less and so ruminate less, thus, the estimation of the time spent ruminating provides insights into the health of individual animals. pH boluses directly provide information on the reticuloruminal function within the rumen and extended (three hours or more) periods during which the ruminal pH value remains below 5.6 is an indicator that dysfunction and poor welfare are likely. Accelerometers, incorporated into the pH boluses, have been used to indicate changes in behaviour patterns (high/low activity), utilised to detect the onset of oestrus. The paper demonstrates for the first time that by processing the reticuloruminal motion, it is possible to recover rumination periods. Reticuloruminal motion energy and the time between reticuloruminal contractions are used as inputs to a Support Vector Machine (SVM) to identify rumination periods with an overall accuracy of 86.1%, corroborated by neck mounted rumination collars.

ETHOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF CREATED SHEEP IN THE SUN AND SHADE IN THE SEMI-ARID REGION OF PARAIBA

Sheep breeding displays high potential, but, in order to maximize productivity, the exploitation of the entire genetic potential of these animals, combined with diets tailored to meet their nutritional requirements, is required. Knowledge on sheep ingestive behavior is important for diet evaluations, which allows for adjustments regarding dietary management, in order to obtain superior productive performance. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the interference of two distinct environments in the behavioral responses of Santa Inês and Dorper sheep breeding activities during the dry period at the Paraíba Cariri region. The study was carried out in the municipality of Caturité, Paraíba, with 20 male sheep, 10 Santa Inês breeds and 10 Dorper breeds. The animals were subdivided into four lots, containing five animals each, and placed in two different environments, in the sun and in the shade. Feeding behavior was determined by quantifying parameters for 10 hours/day, at 5 min intervals. A completely randomized design (CRD) in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme was applied, of two breeds and two environments, with three replicates. The data were analyzed by SAS, applying the chi-square test. The main daily sheep activities comprised alternate periods of feeding, rumination and idleness, and behavioral activities were exhibited the worse results in the sun environment.

Comportamento ingestivo de novilhas Nelore em pastejo no período seco suplementadas com sal mineral e tipos de ureia

In this study, the feeding behavior of Nellore heifers receiving supplements containing mineral salt, conventional urea and slow release urea during the grazing stage at Brachiaria brizantha-based pastures during the dry period of the year was evaluated. Fifty-six heifers with approximately 284.72 ± 27.48 kg of body weight were used, distributed in a completely randomized design with four different treatment types: mineral salt; Urea - supplementation with 8.18% conventional urea; Mixed urea - supplementation with 4.09% conventional urea and 4.39% slow release urea and slow urea - supplementation with 8.78% slow release urea. Animals supplemented with mineral salt had longer grazing times compared to those supplemented with mixed urea, slow urea and regular urea. The dry matter intake, neutral detergent fiber and total digestible nutrients presented a similar effect, with higher values for heifers consuming supplements containing regular urea and slow urea compared to those of mixed urea. However, when the efficiency of hourly intake was evaluated, the animals that received urea supplement were more efficient in relation to the other treatments. The number of grazing periods for heifers receiving slow urea supplementation was higher compared to heifers receiving salt and mixed urea. The duration of grazing and rumination periods was longer for heifers receiving salt supplementation and mixed urea than those receiving regular urea and slow urea. It is recommended to use supplements at the level of 0.3% of body weight for heifers receiving conventional urea.

Effects of axial and ceiling fans on environmental conditions, performance and rumination in beef cattle during the early fattening period

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of two air stirring systems (ceiling fans vs. axial fans) on environment, performance, rumination and activity of beef cattle during the first period after the arrival to the fattening unit. One group of 106 charolais bulls was raised from August to October in a roofed, loose housing facility with straw bedding. Animals were randomly assigned to pens equipped with one of two types of fans: ceiling fans and axial fans. The trial lasted 70 days, and was divided into 3 periods. In the first and third periods fans were in operation, whereas in the second they were switched off. Animals were evaluated for average daily weight gain, cleanliness, dry matter intake, rumination time, activity level and health condition. The temperature-humidity index and the comprehensive climate index were continuously calculated and pens were periodically checked for the dry matter of the bedding.The average temperature-humidity index was lower in the third period (65.5) compared to the first (74.4) and second (75.3) periods (P < 0.001), but was not affected by the air stirring system, while on the contrary the comprehensive climate index was higher in AF than in CF during the first period (27.1 vs. 24.9 °C; P < 0.05). Ceiling fans led to higher dry matter of the bedding in the first (30.6 vs. 45.1%; P < 0.01), second (29.4 vs. 34.3%; P < 0.05) and third periods (22.2 vs. 31.3%; P < 0.05) and to cleaner bulls at the end of the trial. Animals raised with ceiling fans showed higher average daily weight gain (1.20 vs. 1.36 kg/day; P = 0.039), higher daily rumination time in the first period (431 vs. 475 m; P < 0.01) and patterns of rumination and activity compatible with a lower level of heat stress. Based on these results, it appears that ceiling fans are promising tools to be used to reduce heat stress and optimize performance of beef cattle.

Correlações lineares do comportamento ingestivo e digestibilidade aparente em borregos confinados

Objetivou-se avaliar as correlações lineares do comportamento ingestivo e a digestibilidade aparente em borregos confinados. Foram utilizados 50 ovinos machos, castrados, da raça Santa Inês, com peso corporal médio de 20 ± 4,38 kg e quatro meses de idade. Os animais receberam níveis de oferta de dieta com o objetivo de promover variações no consumo alimentar e digestibilidade aparente. Foram mensurados a digestibilidade e o comportamento ingestivo dos animais. As análises foram realizadas usando correlações lineares de Pearson utilizando o teste t, a 5% de probabilidade. Verificou-se correlação positiva do tempo de alimentação e a digestibilidade aparente de extrato etéreo e os nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) (p

Effect of dietary roughage level on chewing activity, ruminal pH, and saliva secretion in lactating Holstein cows

Increasing dietary roughage level is a commonly used strategy to prevent subacute ruminal acidosis. We hypothesized that high-roughage diets could promote chewing activity, saliva secretion, and hence more alkaline to buffer rumen pH. To verify the hypothesis, 12 multiparous Holstein cows in mid lactation were randomly allocated to 4 treatments in a triplicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment with one cow in each treatment surgically fitted with a ruminal cannula. Treatments were diets containing 40, 50, 60, or 70% of roughage on a DM basis. Increasing dietary roughage level decreased DM, CP, OM, starch, and NEL intake, increased ADF intake, and decreased milk yield linearly. Intake of NDF was quite stable across treatments and ranged from 7.8 to 8.1 kg/d per cow. Daily eating time increased linearly with increased roughage level. The increase in eating time was due to increased eating time per meal but not number of meals per day, which was stable and ranged from 8.3 to 8.5 meals per day across treatments. Increasing dietary roughage level had no effect on ruminating time (min/d), the number of ruminating periods (rumination periods per d), and chewing time per ruminating period (min/ruminating period). Ruminating time per kilogram of NDF intake and total chewing time per kilogram of ADF intake were similar across treatments (57.4 and 183.8 min/kg, respectively). Increasing dietary roughage level linearly increased daily total chewing time; linearly elevated the mean, maximum, and minimum ruminal pH; and linearly decreased total VFA concentration and molar proportion of propionate in ruminal fluid. Saliva secretion during eating was increased, the secretion during rumination was unaffected, but the secretion during resting tended to decrease with increased dietary roughage level. As a result, total saliva secretion was not affected by treatments. In conclusion, the results of the present study did not support the concept that high-roughage diets elevated ruminal pH through increased salivary recycling of buffering substrates.

&lt;b&gt;Feeding behavior of F1 Holstein x Zebu lactating cows fed increasing levels of banana peel

This study evaluated the feeding behavior of F1 Holstein x Zebu cows fed increasing levels of banana peel. Diets contained 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60% replacement of sorghum silage with banana peel. The experimental design was two 5x5 Latin squares. Cows were subjected to visual observation after adaptation of each trial period. The times spent in feeding (4.13 to 5.58 hours day-1) and in idle (10 to 12.53 hours day-1) presented quadratic effect. The time spent ruminating, number and duration of rumination periods, chews per cud, and numbers of cuds per day were not affected by treatments. The total chewing time showed a quadratic effect, with peak at 18.58% replacement. The banana peel levels did not affect consumption, rumination and chewing neutral detergent fiber. Intake, rumination and chewing of dry matter showed a decreasing linear effect. The replacement of sorghum silage with banana peel up to 60% in the diet for lactating cows reduces the time spent in feeding and improves feeding and rumination efficiencies of dry matter, keeping the milk production of cows.

Intake and ingestive behavior in lambs fed low-digestibility forages.

Ingestive behavior of lambs fed diets consisting of fresh sugarcanewith urea, bagasse treated with calcium oxide, and urea ammoniated sugarcane bagasse supplemented with concentrate mixture in 50:50 ratio were evaluated. For this, 34 wethers Santa Inês in their growing phase, with an average age of 3.0 ± 0.6months and a mean initial live weight of 17.8± 5.2kg were used. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design and subjected to visual observation periods of 5days, for 24h a day, during the experimental period. Dry matter (DM) intake and intake efficiencyof DM were higher (P < 0.05) for animals receiving fresh sugarcane with urea. The animals which were fed with bagasse treated with calcium oxide hadhigher (P < 0.05) consumption of neutral detergent fiber, longerfeeding and chewing time (P < 0.05), and shorter (P < 0.05) idling time. The time spent on chewing the ruminal bolus did not differ from one diet to the other (P > 0.05). Grams of dry matter per ruminated bolus were similar among animals fed with fresh sugarcane and ammoniated bagasse (P > 0.05) but lower (P < 0.05) in animals fed with bagasse treated with calcium oxide. Rumination efficiency values, ingrams of dry matter per hour, and grams of neutral detergent fiber per hour for all three diets were similar (P > 0.05) to those found for feeding efficiency. The number of feeding and rumination periods was not affected (P > 0.05) by diet. Based on the intake and ingestive behavior responses, the freshsugarcane with urea compared to bagasse treated with calcium oxide and ammoniated bagasse was found to be the better alternative feed for use in lamb diets.

Sheep’s intake behavior on different structures grass

Sheep are gregarious animals and spend time with food intake inserted with one or more periods of rumination or leisure. The peaks of grazing and ruminating usually happen in the cooler hours of the day, keeping in idle at times of higher temperatures. These animals modify one or more components of their ingestive behavior seeking to overcome limiting conditions for their consumption and get the necessary amounts of nutrients for the maintenance and production. Thus, this review has as an objective to discuss these items that affect the sheep’s intake behavior at pasture. The feeding behavior study cooperates in solving problems related to the decrease in consumption in critical times for milk or meat, through of management practices, installation design and supply diet with quantity and quality.

Postnatal bacterial succession and functional establishment of hindgut in supplemental feeding and grazing goats.

The objectives of this study were 1) to investigate the age-related changes in functional achievement (establishment of fermentation capacity and enzyme activities) and bacterial succession (selected functional bacterial species) in the cecum and colon and 2) to assess the effect of feeding system (supplemental vs. grazing, Sup vs. G) on hindgut development in small ruminants. A total of 44 Liuyang black goat kids were randomly slaughtered at 0, 7, and 14 d of age (nonrumination period), 28 and 42 d of age (transition period), and 56 and 70 d of age (rumination period). Intestinal contents were sampled to determine VFA, activities of amylase, carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase), and xylanase, as well as abundances of total bacteria and selected functional bacterial species (genus Prevotella, cellulolytic and amylolytic bacteria) with quantitative PCR targeting the 16S rRNA subunit genes. Total VFA concentration (P < 0.01) and enzyme activities (P < 0.05) in hindgut contents were greater and total bacterial 16S rRNA gene copy numbers (P = 0.003) in the cecum were lower for Sup vs. G. Furthermore, irrespective of feeding system, hindgut total VFA concentrations and total bacterial 16S rRNA gene copy numbers increased with age (P < 0.01), with the greatest increase rate observed from 14 to 28 d. Amylase fluctuated with age, whereas CMCase and xylanase activities in Sup kids increased (P < 0.05) as age increased. The proportions of 16S rRNA copy numbers associated with the genus Prevotella and P. ruminicola increased (P < 0.05) with age, but those of cellulolytic bacteria and Ruminobacter amylophilus were detected only after 28 d of birth. The bacterial succession, fermentation capacity, and starch-degrading capacity in the hindgut of both groups were achieved at 1 mo, whereas fiber-degrading capacity in Sup kids was established at 2 mo of age; and supplemental feeding surpassed the grazing system in shaping hindgut development.

Ingestive behavior of lambs fed diets containing castor seed meal.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the substitution of soybean meal for castor seed meal (CSM) in diets for feedlot lambs and the effects of these diets on their ingestive behavior. Fifty male Santa Inês lambs were used. The diets were composed of Tifton 85 hay and a concentrate containing detoxified CSM substituting 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100% of the soybean meal. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of the CSM levels on the feeding, rumination, idle times, chews and time spent chewing per bolus, total chewing time, number of boli chewed, and number of chews per day. The dry matter (DM) intake decreased linearly (P < 0.05), but did not affect the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake. The feeding and rumination efficiencies had a quadratic response (P < 0.05). The experimental diets did not affect (P > 0.05) the numbers of feeding, rumination, and idle periods, but had a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on the time per feeding activity and on the chewing periods. Substitution of soybean meal for detoxified CSM reduces the DM intake but does not change the ingestive behavior.

Correlação entre digestibilidade dos nutrientes e o comportamento ingestivo de novilhos em pastejo

The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlations between nutrient intake and ingestive behavior of steers Holstein x Zebu in the rearing on Brachiaria brizantha Marandu, during the rainy season. We used 22 steers averaging seven months of age and mean initial body weight of 164,09±12,13 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design with two types of supplement and eleven repetitions per supplementation and managed in a rotational grazing area of 6,5 ha Pearson linear correlations between the behavioral variables and the digestibility of the nutrients were studied. The correlation coefficients were tested by the t test. The rumination time was positively correlated with the digestibility of nutrients. Feeding time at the trough positively correlated with the digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (ODM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract. Positive correlation was observed between total chewing time and digestibility of nutrients. The number of periods of idle and rumination showed positive correlations with the digestibility of nutrients and the number of feeding periods in the trough correlated positively with the digestibility coeficient of CP. Bite rate and the number of bites per day correlated positively with the digestibility of nutrients. Positive correlation was observed between the number of chews per day and digestibility of DM, OM and total carbohydrates (CT). Positive correlations were observed between the efficiencies of feeding and rumination of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber with digestibility coefficient of nutrients studied. The nutrient digestibility has a direct influence over the behavioral expressions of animals studied.