The Effect of Feeding Different Dietary Fiber Sources on Eating Behavior and Rumination Activity of Brahman Cross Breed Calves During Weaning Transition
Nurmeiliasari, Amir Husaini Karim Amrullah, Elvira Yunita,Yanuar Rahmad Ramadhan

University Of Bengkulu

Abstract

Rumen development is one important factor that plays a significant role in raising healthy and productive calves. Feeding dietary fiber is essential to promote rumen growth, fermentation, chewing activity rumination behavior in young calves. This research evaluated the effect of feeding different dietary fiber sources on eating behavior and rumination activity of Brahman cross breed calves during weaning transition. Eight Brahman cross breed calves aged 8 weeks were randomly distributed into two different dietary fiber treatments. (T1 = concentrate 40 percents + Pennisetum purpureum cv. Taiwan 60 percents- P2 = concentrate 40 percents + Pennisetum purpureum cv. Taiwan 30 percents + Gliricidia sepium 30 percents). A similar formulation of concentrate was applied (crude protein 17 percents). A milk withdrawal was done gradually. Eating behavior and rumination were observed at from 8 am to 5 pm. After a month of dietary fiber sources feeding, observation on diurnal eating and rumination behavior showed changes on duration of eating time, percentage of eating time as well as eating frequency ( P<0.05). A Pennisetum purpureum cv. Taiwan fed group spent longertime eating than that of combination of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Taiwan 30 percents + Gliricidia sepium 30 percents treatment group (246,35 minutes vs 239,31 minutes). Of the 9 hours observation, 45,62 percents time was alocated for eating Pennisetum purpureum cv. Taiwan. A less percentage of time was spent for eating a combination of dietary fibers (44, 31 percents). A more frequent eating was observed in T1 group (20,88 times) than the T2 group (20,02 times). The treatments didi not affect the drinking time (P>0.05). The calves demonstrated similar amount of time in standing (427,20 minutes and 426,21 minutes, P >0.05). Feeding different fiber sources did not alter the amount of time of diurnal laying (135,27 minutes vs 136,06 minutes). A provision of higher fiber diet in T1 group increased rumination frequency (P<0.05). However, it did not affect duration and percentage of time of rumination during s diurnal observation (P>0.05). In conclusion, feeding Pennisetum purpureum cv Taiwan as a dietary fiber during weaning transition improve eating behavior and rumination activity of calves during weaning transition.

Keywords: legume, young calves, eating behavior, rumination

Topic: Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology