The Effects of Feed Bunk Competition on the Feed Sorting Behavior of Close-Up Dry Cows

摘要: The objectives of this research were to describe the feed sorting, feeding behavior, and intake cows consuming a close-up ration determine if these behaviors are affected by competition for access bunk. Thirty-six dry Holstein cows, total mixed diet, assigned 1 2 treatments: 1) noncompetitive (1 cow/feed bin) or 2) competitive (2 cows/feed bin). Dry matter intake, sorting behavior monitored each bin on 4 separate days during wk 3 before anticipated calving dates cows. Fresh orts sampled daily from subjected particle size analysis. separator consisted screens (18, 9, 1.18 mm) bottom pan resulting in fractions (long, medium, short, fine). Sorting was calculated as actual fraction expressed percentage predicted that fraction. Regardless treatment, sorted against long particles short fine particles. Competition at bunk had no effect time but did dramatically increase rate competitively fed also fewer meals per day, tended have larger longer meals. Our results suggest increased promotes patterns will likely between-cow variation composition consumed.