Premium
Feed handling of lactating crossbred cows maintained in a semi‐arid region during the hot season: physiological parameters, ingestive behavior and performance
Author(s) -
Paula Xavier de Andrade Rafael,
Andrade Ferreira Marcelo,
Azevedo Marcílio,
Silva Emmanuelle Cordeiro,
Urbano Stela Antas,
Conceição Maria Gabriela,
Lima Silva Janaina
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
animal science journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.606
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1740-0929
pISSN - 1344-3941
DOI - 10.1111/asj.12618
Subject(s) - zoology , lactation , feedlot , zebu , crossbreed , dry matter , nutrient , milk production , ruminating , biology , chemistry , pregnancy , rumination , ecology , genetics , cognition , neuroscience
The effects of time of feed delivery (14.00 hours; 14.00 and 20.00 hours; 16.00 and 18.00 hours) on the physiological parameters, ingestive behavior, nutrient intake and production of lactating cows maintained in a semi‐arid region during the hot season were evaluated. Regardless of treatment, all animals received the first feeding supply at 06.00 hours. Eight cows with an average body weight of 600 kg, average milk yield of 20 kg/day and 80 days in milk were utilized. The rectal temperature, respiratory rate and sweating rate were not affected ( P > 0.05), with average values of 38.5°C, 53.8 movements/min and 104 g/m 2 /h respectively. There was no effect ( P > 0.05) on the eating time (314 min/day), ruminating time (564 min/day), drinking time (61 min/day) and idle time (502 min/day). Similarly, the intake of nutrients and performance of lactating cows were not affected ( P > 0.05), with average dry matter intake of 19.8 kg/day, 4% fat‐corrected milk of 20.6 kg/day and milk fat concentration of 4.03 g/100 g. Since the behavior and performance have not altered, any times of feed delivery evaluated could be used to crossbred Holstein × Zebu cows maintained on a feedlot in semi‐arid regions during the hot season.