The Biologically Relevant Unit for the Analysis of Short-Term Feeding Behavior of Dairy Cows

¹ Animal Biology Division, Scottish Agricultural College, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, Scotland, United Kingdom
² Animal Biology Division, Scottish Agricultural College, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, Scotland, United Kingdom and Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University and Research Centre, The Netherlands

To determine whether visits or meals are the most biologically relevant unit of short-term feeding behavior, we analyzed 209,025 records of visits to feeders by 37 cows. Two feeds were used that differed in protein content. Cows were divided into control groups for the low and high protein feeds and a choice group that had access to both. Daily number of visits and intake per visit were very variable. Cows fed low protein feed had lowest daily intakes, but single-visit characteristics were poorly correlated with daily intake. The probability of cows ending a visit did not change greatly with visit length. Log-normal models were used to estimate individual meal criteria (44.7 ± 2.1 min), and visits were grouped into meals. Meal duration (36.9 ± 1.3 min) and daily number of meals (6.1 ± 0.1) were not affected by treatment. Feeding rate and intake per meal were lowest for cows fed low protein feed. Meal size decreased systematically during the day. The probability of cows ending and starting a meal increased with meal length and interval between meals, as predicted by the satiety concept. Meals are, therefore, a biologically relevant unit of short-term feeding behavior and visits are not.

Key Words: cows • protein • feeding behavior • meal patterns

Submitted on November 4, 1999
Accepted on March 21, 2000

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. L. Proudfoot, D. M. Veira, D. M. Weary, and M. A. G. von Keyserlingk Competition at the feed bunk changes the feeding, standing, and social behavior of transition dairy cows J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2009; 92(7): 3116 - 3123. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Howie, B. J. Tolkamp, S. Avendano, and I. Kyriazakis The structure of feeding behavior in commercial broiler lines selected for different growth rates Poult. Sci., June 1, 2009; 88(6): 1143 - 1150. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. K. Bhandari, S. Li, K. H. Ominski, K. M. Wittenberg, and J. C. Plaizier Effects of the Chop Lengths of Alfalfa Silage and Oat Silage on Feed Intake, Milk Production, Feeding Behavior, and Rumen Fermentation of Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, May 1, 2008; 91(5): 1942 - 1958. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. A. Gonzalez, B. J. Tolkamp, M. P. Coffey, A. Ferret, and I. Kyriazakis Changes in Feeding Behavior as Possible Indicators for the Automatic Monitoring of Health Disorders in Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, March 1, 2008; 91(3): 1017 - 1028. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Chapinal, D. M. Veira, D. M. Weary, and M. A. G. von Keyserlingk Technical Note: Validation of a System for Monitoring Individual Feeding and Drinking Behavior and Intake in Group-Housed Cattle J Dairy Sci, December 1, 2007; 90(12): 5732 - 5736. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Rotger, A. Ferret, X. Manteca, J. L. R. de la Torre, and S. Calsamiglia Effects of dietary nonstructural carbohydrates and protein sources on feeding behavior of tethered heifers fed high-concentrate diets J Anim Sci, May 1, 2006; 84(5): 1197 - 1204. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. Huzzey, M. A. G. von Keyserlingk, and D. M. Weary Changes in Feeding, Drinking, and Standing Behavior of Dairy Cows During the Transition Period J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2005; 88(7): 2454 - 2461. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. P. Zorrilla, K. Inoue, E. M. Fekete, A. Tabarin, G. R. Valdez, and G. F. Koob Measuring meals: structure of prandial food and water intake of rats Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, June 1, 2005; 288(6): R1450 - R1467. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Z. Shabi, M. R. Murphy, and U. Moallem Within-Day Feeding Behavior of Lactating Dairy Cows Measured Using a Real-Time Control System J Dairy Sci, May 1, 2005; 88(5): 1848 - 1854. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Melin, H. Wiktorsson, and L. Norell Analysis of Feeding and Drinking Patterns of Dairy Cows in Two Cow Traffic Situations in Automatic Milking Systems J Dairy Sci, January 1, 2005; 88(1): 71 - 85. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. G. von Keyserlingk, L. Brusius, and D. M. Weary Competition for Teats and Feeding Behavior by Group-Housed Dairy Calves J Dairy Sci, December 1, 2004; 87(12): 4190 - 4194. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Bach, C. Iglesias, and I. Busto Technical Note: A Computerized System for Monitoring Feeding Behavior and Individual Feed Intake of Dairy Cattle J Dairy Sci, December 1, 2004; 87(12): 4207 - 4209. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. J. DeVries, M. A. G. von Keyserlingk, D. M. Weary, and K. A. Beauchemin Technical Note: Validation of a System for Monitoring Feeding Behavior of Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2003; 86(11): 3571 - 3574. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. J. DeVries, M. A. G. von Keyserlingk, D. M. Weary, and K. A. Beauchemin Measuring the Feeding Behavior of Lactating Dairy Cows in Early to Peak Lactation J Dairy Sci, October 1, 2003; 86(10): 3354 - 3361. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Leonardi and L. E. Armentano Effect of Quantity, Quality, and Length of Alfalfa Hay on Selective Consumption by Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, February 1, 2003; 86(2): 557 - 564. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. P. Yeates, B. J. Tolkamp, and I. Kyriazakis The relationship between meal composition and long-term diet choice J Anim Sci, December 1, 2002; 80(12): 3165 - 3178. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]