title: Effect of feeding frequency on bacterial and fungal concentrations, pH, and other parameters in the rumen.
abstract: Three sheep were fed a pelleted high-roughage diet either once, 6, or 24 times per day in a 3 x 3 Latin square trial. During each 21-d period, 14 d were allowed for adaptation followed by a 7-d collection period, in which samples for microbial counts were taken on d 1 and 5 and several rumen parameters were measured on d 2 and 6. Bacterial concentrations were not different between feeding frequencies on the first sampling day but were higher (P < 0.05) on the second sampling day when the sheep were fed 24 times a day. Fungal concentrations were not different among feeding frequencies on either sampling day. No effects of feeding frequency were observed for the concentration of cellulolytic bacteria or fungi. On d 2, ruminal volume was larger (P < 0.05) with six feedings than with one feeding and fluid volume turnover was greater (P < 0.05) when sheep were fed 24 times per day. Rumen pH values were higher (P < 0.01) on both d 1 and 5 when the sheep were fed once a day and the percentage of rumen dry matter was highest (P < 0.02) with 24 feedings. These findings would suggest that if the same amount of a given diet is fed daily, the number of feedings does not markedly affect microbial concentrations, rumen volume, or liquid turnover time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster 44691-4096, USA. dehority.1@osu.edu
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Dehority
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Tirabasso
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000662:veterinary; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005285:Fermentation; D005658:Fungi / Q000254:growth & development; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D012417:Rumen / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology*; D012756:Sheep / Q000378:metabolism*