Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T21:25:36.417Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A note on the effect of social rank on the feeding behaviour of young cattle on self-feed maize silage

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. D. Leaver
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AT
N. H. Yarrow
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AT
Get access

Abstract

In two experiments young British Friesian cattle were allowed restricted access to maize silage on a self-feed system. Restrictions were imposed by either limiting the width of feed face per animal or by reducing the time available for feeding.

The social order of each group of cattle was determined by observing dominance-submission interactions between pairs of individuals. Dominance rank and angular dominance values were calculated for individuals in each group and related to silage intake, feeding time and rate of eating. Silage intake and rate of eating increased significantly with dominance value, and feeding time decreased although not significantly.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1980

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Beilharz, R. G., Butcher, D. F. and Freeman, A. E. 1966. Social dominance and milk production in Holsteins. J. Dairy Sci. 49: 887892.Google Scholar
Bryant, M. J. 1975. Animal psychology and group behaviour in relation to simplifled feeding systems. In Simplified Feeding for Milk and Beef, pp. 1325. US Feed Grains Council, London, and University of Aberdeen.Google Scholar
Buissou, M. F. and Signoret, J. P. 1971. Cattle behaviour under modern management techniques. J. Fm Bldgs Ass. 15: 2527.Google Scholar
Leaver, J. D. 1975. The use of propionic acid as an additive for maize silage. J. Br. Grassld Soc. 30: 1721.Google Scholar
Leaver, J. D. and Yarrow, N. H. 1977. The intake of maize silage by self-fed heifers allowed restricted access. J. Br. Grassld Soc. 32: 165169.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McPhee, C. P., McBride, G. and James, J. W. 1964. Social behaviour of domestic animals. III. Steers in small yards. Anim. Prod. 6: 915.Google Scholar