Abstract

SANTANA JUNIOR, H.A. et al. Ingestive behavior of supplemented grazing heifers on compensatory nutrition. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2013, vol.62, n.237, pp.61-71. ISSN 1885-4494.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0004-05922013000100007.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of compensatory nutrition on supplemented pasture heifers on ingestive behavior. The experiment was conducted on the farm Princesa do Mateiro, Ribeirão do Largo, Bahia. Twenty 5/8 Guzera Dairy 3/8 Hostein heifers, with an average of 18 months of age and body weight of 187 ± 13.07 kg were used. The experiment lasted 224 days and the animals were maintained in pasture production, rotational grazing Brachiaria brizantha 'Marandu'. The animals were randomly assigned to each of the treatments: control (T100): Animals fed concentrate to supply 100 % of the requirement of nutrients to gain 750 g/day; compensatory nutrition (CN): animals that alternated the feed level periodically being restricted fed concentrate to meet the requirement of 80 % total digestible nutrients of the control treatment (T80) and refeeding fed concentrate to supply 120 % of the total digestible nutrient requirements of the control treatment (T120). In periods of restriction, the average grazing time was greater for NC (533 vs. 426 minutes) (p<0.05). The grazing time and ruminating in feedback periods were lower than those of group NC (p<0.05). During refeeding, the number of periods spent at the trough and period of time for other activities were higher in animals of treatment NC (p<0.05). In the restricted period, there was no statistical differences between control and compensatory nutrition for the variables of bits and swallowing (p>0.05). During refeeding, the number of bits by swallowing, swallowing time and number of bites per day were lower (p<0.05) in animals of NC group when compared to control. The number of chews per day and the number of ruminating bolus per day were different between the control and NC (p<0.05). Compensatory nutrition alters the feeding behavior of crossbred heifers on pasture.

Keywords : Cattle; Ethology; Grazing; Intake; Ruminants.

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