Measuring the feeding behavior of lactating dairy cows in early to peak lactation.

摘要: The objectives of this study were to: 1) objectively define meal criteria (minimum interval between meals) free-stall housed cows fed via a feed alley, 2) determine which measures feeding behavior most repeatable, and 3) describe changes in the from early to peak lactation. An electronic monitoring system was used record individual cow presence (hits; 6-s resolution) at alley for 21 lactating three 8-d periods: period 1, 35 +/- 16 (mean SD), 2, 57 16, 3, 94 DIM. A mixture distribution model calculate criterion (27.74 min) by fitting log10 frequency intervals hits. within-cow repeatability highest activity (hits d(-1)) intensity per min), moderate total daily mealtime (min duration meal(-1)), lowest (meals d(-1)). From periods 1 all showed increases mealtime, frequency, duration; however, with lower frequencies greatest increases. Cows high during 2 proportionally greater 3. These results illustrate that some are highly repeatable within cows, but variable across stages Thus, tests treatment effects on should be control days milk.