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

Abstract

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

Feeding amount affects the sorting behavior of lactating dairy cows

“…This is likely the result of cows lacking the prehensile abilities to discriminate as well against shorter ration particles (Phillips 2002). Further, in those studies that have demonstrated sorting against long particles, the long particles typically comprised a high percentage of the ration (close to 20%) due to the presence of hay or straw in the TMR Armentano 2003, 2007;Hosseinkhani et al 2008). Overall, given the use of wet forages and the low proportion of long particles in the ration, it is not surprising that no sorting of the long particles occurred.…”

“…This may be true for individually fed cows; however, for group-fed cows, disparity in bunk access may still result in between-cow variation in nutrient intake due to sorting. With a zero-orts feeding system, it is reasonable to believe there still may be sorting throughout the day (DeVries et al 2005;Hosseinkhani et al 2008). In situations of feed bunk competition, this may result in those subordinate animals with poor feed bunk access at peak feeding periods (DeVries et al 2004) having to wait to feed at later hours in the day after the feed has already been sorted, thus increasing their risk of consuming a ration that is not designed to meet their nutritional requirements (Hosseinkhani et al 2008).…”

Invited review: Development and expression of dairy calf feeding behaviour

“…Differences in postweaning feeding patterns resulting from early competitive environment, as observed by Miller-Cushon et al (2014b), are consistent with differences in feeding patterns resulting from competition for access to feed in older animals: in heifers and adult cows, reducing available feeding stations or bunk space increases intake rates (Hosseinkhani et al 2008;Proudfoot et al 2009;DeVries and von Keyserlingk 2009) and competitive interactions around feed (DeVries et al 2004;Huzzey et al 2006), while decreasing meal frequencies (Hosseinkhani et al 2008;DeVries and von Keyserlingk 2009). The effect of a competitive environment on feeding patterns may have implications for long-term health of dairy cattle.…”

“…Whereas the degree of feed sorting has been found to vary among calves, dependent upon prior experience, the pattern of feed sorting appears to be less flexible. Post-weaning, dairy calves that sort their feed have consistently been observed selecting in favour of the higher-energy grain component (Miller-Cushon and DeVries 2011;Miller-Cushon et al 2013b, d), similar to patterns of feed sorting observed in adult cattle (Leonardi and Armentano 2003;Hosseinkhani et al 2008;Miller-Cushon and DeVries 2009). Preweaning environment has been found to have only shortlived effects on the pattern, or direction, of feed sorting post-weaning; calves exposed to either concentrate or hay prior to weaning sorted a mixed diet in favour of the familiar feed component initially after weaning, but differences in sorting patterns did not persist, with all calves beginning to sort in favour of concentrate and against hay (Miller-Cushon and DeVries 2011).…”

Review: Feeding behaviour of dairy cattle: Meaures and applications

“…Hosseinkhani et al (2008) followed the feeding behaviour of non-lactating Holstein cows (n 036) eating TMR from either their bin (one cow/bin) or a shared bin (two cows/bin). Cows that had to compete for feed access increased their feeding rate throughout the day.…”