Relationship between behavioural reactivity and feed efficiency in housed sheep

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 683 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Amdi ◽  
A. R. Williams ◽  
S. K. Maloney ◽  
A. H. Tauson ◽  
S. A. Knott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Metabolic Efficiency ◽  
Average Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Animal House

In this study we test the hypothesis that selecting sheep for a low behavioural reactivity to stressful situations will improve their metabolic efficiency, and thereby feed efficiency, during a controlled trial in an animal house. Twenty-four Merino wethers were used, 12 each from lines selected for high (HBR) and low (LBR) behavioural reactivity to stressful stimuli (human presence and social isolation). The sheep were habituated to the experimental procedures for 10 days, followed by 45 days during which voluntary feed intake was measured so that total daily energy intake was quantified. The sheep were weighed twice weekly before daily feeding. Feed efficiency was determined by measuring net feed intake, average daily weight gain and body condition score. Our hypothesis was not supported by the results of this study. There was no difference between LBR and HBR sheep in average daily weight gain or body condition score. The net feed intake of HBR sheep was lower than that of LBR sheep (P = 0.02), indicating that under the conditions of our experiment, HBR sheep were actually more feed efficient than LBR sheep. This study was carried out on sheep with steady intakes and in familiar surroundings. It is possible that LBR sheep may be more efficient than HBR sheep in more stressful situations.

scholarly journals Effects of Two Commercial Diets on Several Reproductive Parameters in Bitches: Note Two—Lactation and Puppies’ Performance

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
Serena Calabrò ◽  
Alessandro Vastolo ◽  
Nadia Musco ◽  
Pietro Lombardi ◽  
Alessandro Troisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Growth Kinetics ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Suckling Period ◽  
Initial Body Weight ◽  
Condition Score

The study aimed to compare two diets, Control (CTR) and Experimental (EX) (mainly differing as regards their ingredients, energy, and protein contents) administered to medium and large-sized bitches from two months before the expected proestrus and up to 30 days after delivery on mothers’ weight, body condition score, litter size, milk quality, and puppies’ growth. No differences were found for body weight during pregnancy, even if the BCS after delivery was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the EX group than in the CTR one. Concerning the size effect, the percentage of weight gain on the initial body weight was double in medium-sized dogs compared to large dogs (p < 0.01). The number of puppies per litter was significantly higher (p < 0.05) for the EX group compared to the CTR one. Concerning puppies’ weight, the CTR group showed a significantly (p < 0.01) higher body weight from the 21st day of life due to the significant (p < 0.01) higher daily weight gain during the suckling period. Considering the performance of bitches and puppies, both diets seem useful for these stages of their lives. In fact, after 30 days of lactation, all tested bitches showed a healthy status and both the percentage of newborns mortality and puppies’ growth kinetics fell into the normal physiological range for the species.

scholarly journals The effect of winter diet on the weight gain and body condition score of weanling dairy replacement heifers

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-155
Author(s):  
E Kennedy ◽  
R Sayers ◽  
J.P. Murphy ◽  
S Fitzgerald ◽  
F Buckley
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Winter Diet ◽  
Condition Score

scholarly journals Relationships between body condition score change, prior mid-lactation phenotypic residual feed intake, and hyperketonemia onset in transition dairy cows

2017 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 3685-3696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca M. Rathbun ◽  
Ryan S. Pralle ◽  
Sandra J. Bertics ◽  
Louis E. Armentano ◽  
K. Cho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Score Change ◽  
Transition Dairy Cows ◽  
Condition Score

Effect of pour-on alphacypermethrin on feed intake, body condition score, milk yield, pregnancy rates, and calving-to-conception interval in buffaloes1,2

2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 1850-1858 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Bifulco ◽  
V. Veneziano ◽  
R. Cimmino ◽  
L. Esposito ◽  
L. Auletta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Condition Score

scholarly journals Assessment of the Relationship between Postpartum Health and Mid-Lactation Performance, Behavior, and Feed Efficiency in Holstein Dairy Cows

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1385
Author(s):  
Malia J. Martin ◽  
Kent A. Weigel ◽  
Heather M. White
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Lactation Performance ◽  
Postpartum Health ◽  
Feeding Behaviors ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Health Disorders

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between postpartum health disorders and mid-lactation performance, feed efficiency, and sensor-derived behavioral traits. Multiparous cows (n = 179) were monitored for health disorders for 21 days postpartum and enrolled in a 45-day trial between 50 to 200 days in milk, wherein feed intake, milk yield and components, body weight, body condition score, and activity, lying, and feeding behaviors were recorded. Feed efficiency was measured as residual feed intake and the ratio of fat- or energy-corrected milk to dry matter intake. Cows were classified as either having hyperketonemia (HYK; n = 72) or not (n = 107) and grouped by frequency of postpartum health disorders: none (HLT; n = 94), one (DIS; n = 63), or ≥2 (DIS+; n = 22). Cows that were diagnosed with HYK had higher mid-lactation yields of fat- and energy-corrected milk. No differences in feed efficiency were detected between HYK or health status groups. Highly active mid-lactation time was higher in healthy animals, and rumination time was lower in ≥4th lactation cows compared with HYK or DIS and DIS+ cows. Differences in mid-lactation behaviors between HYK and health status groups may reflect the long-term impacts of health disorders. The lack of a relationship between postpartum health and mid-lactation feed efficiency indicates that health disorders do not have long-lasting impacts on feed efficiency.

scholarly journals Effects of feeding treatment on growth rate and performance of primiparous Holstein dairy heifers

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yannick Le Cozler ◽  
Julien Jurquet ◽  
Nicolas. Bedere
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Catch Up

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate effects of feeding-rearing programs that aim for first calving at 20-27 months (mo) of age on growth, reproduction and production performance of Holstein cows at nulliparous and primiparous stages. We hypothesised that, in a seasonal autumn-calving strategy, heifers born late in the season could catch up to the growth of heifers born earlier and be inseminated during the same period, at a body weight (BW) of at least 370 kg. This approach would result in first calving age at 21-22 mo of age without impairing their later performance. To test this hypothesis, we studied 217 heifers over 3 years. They were split into three treatment groups: control feeding (SD), an intensive-plane diet (ID1) from birth to 6 mo of age or an intensive-plane diet from birth to one year of age. Heifers in groups SD and ID1 were born from September until the end of November, while those in ID2 were born later. The present study showed that late-born heifers (ID2) could catch up with the growth of the others due to the feeding treatment, although they were still 42 kg lighter than the SD and ID1 heifers at first calving. No difference in reproductive performance was observed among groups. Once primiparous, the cows reared with the ID2 treatment tended to produce less milk than SD and ID1 cows (ca. 400 kg less on a 305 d basis throughout lactation), and no differences in milk composition, feed intake, body condition score or BW were observed among groups. Age at first service (AFS) was classified a posteriori into three classes: 12.5 (AFS12.5), 14.0 (AFS14.0) and 15.5 mo (AFS15.5) of age. Heifers in AFS12.5 grew faster than those in AFS14.0 and AFS15.5. Once primiparous, the AFS12.5 cows tended to produce less milk at peak than AFS14.0 and AFS15.5 cows (ca. 1.5 kg/d less) although no difference in total milk yield during lactation was observed. No differences in milk composition, feed intake, body condition score or BW were observed among groups. These results support the conclusion that the feeding treatment can enable late-born heifers to catch up to the growth of heifers born earlier in the season. This strategy results in an earlier first calving that does not impair their reproductive performance but does decrease milk yield slightly during first lactation. Future studies should investigate long-term effects of this strategy.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document