title: Feed handling of lactating crossbred cows maintained in a semi-arid region during the hot season: physiological parameters, ingestive behavior and performance.
abstract: The effects of time of feed delivery (14.00 hours; 14.00 and 20.00 hours; 16.00 and 18.00 hours) on the physiological parameters, ingestive behavior, nutrient intake and production of lactating cows maintained in a semi-arid region during the hot season were evaluated. Regardless of treatment, all animals received the first feeding supply at 06.00 hours. Eight cows with an average body weight of 600 kg, average milk yield of 20 kg/day and 80 days in milk were utilized. The rectal temperature, respiratory rate and sweating rate were not affected (P > 0.05), with average values of 38.5°C, 53.8 movements/min and 104 g/m2/h respectively. There was no effect (P > 0.05) on the eating time (314 min/day), ruminating time (564 min/day), drinking time (61 min/day) and idle time (502 min/day). Similarly, the intake of nutrients and performance of lactating cows were not affected (P > 0.05), with average dry matter intake of 19.8 kg/day, 4% fat-corrected milk of 20.6 kg/day and milk fat concentration of 4.03 g/100 g. Since the behavior and performance have not altered, any times of feed delivery evaluated could be used to crossbred Holstein × Zebu cows maintained on a feedlot in semi-arid regions during the hot season.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Paula Xavier de Andrade
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Andrade Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcílio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Azevedo
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: Emmanuelle Cordeiro
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
authors.forename: Stela Antas
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Urbano
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Gabriela
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: da Conceição
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: Janaina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Lima Silva
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D005223:Fats / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D012417:Rumen / Q000502:physiology; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005223:Fats
keywords: behavior; dairy cattle; heat stress; milk yield