Feeding Frequency Effects in Early Lactation on Productive Efficiency of Holstein Cows

Abstract

The present study was conducted in order to determine the effects of feeding frequency (FF) on dairy cow performance fed a total mixed ration (TMR) based on chopped alfalfa hay. Eight multiparous early lactation Holstein cows were housed in the individual boxes (4 × 3 m) and fed either once a day (1x) at 0700 h or 4 times a day (4x) at 0100, 0700, 1300 and 1900 h with TMR. The experiment was done as a 2 × 2 crossover design with two 20-d periods. When FF changed from 4x to 1x, dry matter intake (21.1 vs. 20.0 kg/d) and NEL intake (36.4 vs. 34.3 Mcal/d) increased (P

Keywords

• Feeding frequency
• Early lactation
• Behavior
• Holstein
• Chewing