HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rakes, A. H. Articles by Graf, G. C. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Rakes, A. H. Articles by Graf, G. C.

Response of Growing Dairy Heifers to Frequency of Feeding^1,2,

Department of Dairy Science and Biochemistry and Nutrition, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg

ABSTRACT

In the past, livestockmen paid little attention to the effect that frequency of feeding had on the efficiency with which animals converted feed to milk, meat, and wool. This is surprising, when one considers the feeding behavior of the animal in its native, or unconfined, state.

In its wild state, the animal takes food throughout the day and also undoubtedly at night. The quantity eaten and the frequency of intake is entirely dependent upon the desire of the animal and the availability of feed. This condition exists to a very large extent in the free-grazing animal. However, with the closely confined, or hand-fed, animal, both the quantity of feed eaten and the frequency of intake are regulated according to the judgment of the husbandman. Since this is a definite change from the feeding habits of the animal in its native state, it is conceivable that some change in the efficiency of feed utilization, if not the physiology of the animal, has occurred as a result of domestication.

¹ Contribution of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Data presented are based on a thesis submitted by the senior author to the Graduate School of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Master of Science degree.

³ Ralston-Purina Fellow.

⁴ Present address: Department of Animal Husbandry, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.