EFFECT OF GENETIC AND NON-GENETIC FACTORS ON THE EATING, RUMINATING AND RESTING TIME OF CROSSBRED COWS

J. HUSSAIN¹*, R. ROYCHOUDHURY², J. SAHARIA³, D.C. MILI⁴, B.N. SAIKIA⁵, T. BORPUZARI^6
1Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati, 781022, India
²Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati, 781022, India
³Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati, 781022, India
⁴Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati, 781022, India
⁵Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati, 781022, India
⁶Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati, 781022, India
* Corresponding Author : drjakir@gmail.com

Received : 02-05-2022     Accepted : 27-05-2022     Published : 30-05-2022
Volume : 14     Issue : 5       Pages : 11329 - 11332
Int J Agr Sci 14.5 (2022):11329-11332

Keywords : Eating, Ruminating, Resting, Crossbred cows, TMR feeding
Academic Editor : Dr R. S. Umakanth, S. K. Das, Dr. Shubhaom Panda, Kalaivanan D., Dr S. V. Kuralkar, A. K. Singh
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Authors are thankful to Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati, 781022, India
Author Contribution : All authors equally contributed

The present experiment was conducted to observe the feeding behaviour of dairy cows. Ten dairy cows consisting of 5 Jersey crossbred (G1) and 5 Holstein Friesian crossbred (G2) were fed on TMR i.e., total mixed ration (F1) and another ten cows with similar genetic group and lactation number and stages were fed by separate (F2) feeding practice with standard ration. The average body weight of G1 and G2 was 298.85 and 385.84 kg, respectively with age ranging from 4-8 years and body condition score ranging from 3.25-3.5. All the experimental cows were fed twice daily adlibitum at 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM. There was highly significant effect (P<0.01) of all the factors on time spent for eating in crossbred cows. The eating time was significantly lower in F1 than F2 feeding practice, whereas G1 had significantly lower eating time (303.92±3.91 min) than G2 genetic group (326.46±3.71 min) and amongst the seasons, significantly highest eating time (334.01±5.40min) was observed during pre-monsoon season (S1). The ruminating time was significantly (P <0.01) higher in F1 (413.62±14.84min) than F2 (383.63±1.07min) feeding practice. There was highly significant effect (P<0.01) of feeding practice and season and significant (P<0.05) effect of genetic group on the resting time. Significantly higher resting time was found in TMR feeding practice. Overall 21.89%, 27.68% and 50.43% of time the dairy cows spent for eating, ruminating and resting, respectively. The cows got longer time for rumination and rest due to TMR feeding

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