Diet effect on the daily feeding behaviour, frequency and characteristics of meals in dairy goats

An experiment of 4 x 3 weeks was carried out to analyse intake level and rate, number of meals and chewing activities of dairy goats. Four pairs of Alpine and Saanen goats in mid lactation were fed ad libitum four complete diets CR CC FR and FS In a Latin square design. Forage/concentrate ratio in these diets was low (C = 30/70) or high (F = 55/45) and starch. rapidly (R) or slowly (S) degradable in the rumen (barley and maize, respectively). The goats were housed in stalls and fitted with jaw movement recorders. Intake levels were also recorded over 4 x 48 h. Diets were distributed twice daily. Total daily intake was significantly higher (P < 0.01) on R diets ( + 200 g DM/day). Intake rates during main meals were 12.6, 12.2, 9.1 and 8.7 g/min, respectively, on CRI CS, FR and FS (P < 0.05). The number of secondary meals decreased with the increase of forage content. Intake during secondary meals was 0.84. 0.88, 0.83 and 0.70 kg DM/day, respectively, on CR, CS, FR and FS. Chewing during eating and rumination depended on the type of diet (less than 740 min/day on C and more than 820 min/day on F: P < 0.05). In conclusion, goats seem adapt their feeding behaviour to the kind of diet they receive. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.