Abstract

DIAS, D.L.S. et al. Correlation between nutrient digestibility and ingestive behavior in crossbred steers recreated at pastures. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2014, vol.63, n.244, pp.645-656. ISSN 1885-4494.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0004-05922014000400008.

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 ttest. 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.

Keywords : Digestion; Efficiency of rumination; Chewing; Mineral supplementation.

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