Effects of by-product feed-based silage on feeding, rumination, and excretion in growing Hanwoo heifers.
This study investigated the effects of feeding by-product feed (BF)-based silage on the behavior of growing Hanwoo heifers. Twelve Hanwoo heifers (13.2 months-old, 315 kg body weight; four heifers per pen) were assigned to three diets: a rice straw (RS) diet (concentrate mix and free access to RS), a RS and BF-based silage (RSBFS) diet (concentrate mix and free access to RS and BF-based silage), and a BF-based silage (BFS) diet (concentrate mix and free access to BF-based silage). Behavior was recorded for 5 days using camcorders. Compared to the RS group, the BFS group showed 21.7% higher dry matter intake, shorter feeding, rumination, and chewing times, as well as longer resting time (p < 0.05). Although all groups exhibited similar drinking, urination, and defecation frequencies, the BFS group exhibited higher feeding rates, rumination efficiency, and chewing efficiency than the RS group (p < 0.05). Compared to the BFS group, the RSBFS group showed higher peNDF8.0 intake (15.2% vs. 25.0% dry matter intake), longer feeding and sitting times, lower defecation frequency (p < 0.05), and similar rumination efficiency. In conclusion, complete replacement of conventional RS with BF-based silage reduced rumination and chewing activity in growing Hanwoo heifers, and BF-based silage feeding with large-particle straw is an effective approach in improving heifer behavior.
Division of Food Bioscience, College of Health and Medical Life Sciences, Konkuk University, Chung-Ju, Chung-Buk 380-701 Korea.
Young-Il
YI
Kim
Division of Food Bioscience, College of Health and Medical Life Sciences, Konkuk University, Chung-Ju, Chung-Buk 380-701 Korea.
Sang Moo
SM
Lee
Division of Food Bioscience, College of Health and Medical Life Sciences, Konkuk University, Chung-Ju, Chung-Buk 380-701 Korea.
Youn Hee
YH
Lee
Division of Food Bioscience, College of Health and Medical Life Sciences, Konkuk University, Chung-Ju, Chung-Buk 380-701 Korea.
Myeon
M
Lee
Division of Food Bioscience, College of Health and Medical Life Sciences, Konkuk University, Chung-Ju, Chung-Buk 380-701 Korea.
Do Young
DY
Choi
Division of Food Bioscience, College of Health and Medical Life Sciences, Konkuk University, Chung-Ju, Chung-Buk 380-701 Korea.
Wan Sup
WS
Kwak
Behavior; By-product feed; Hanwoo heifer; Rumination; Spent mushroom substrate