Effects of an acidogenic diet on nycthemeral kinetics of feed intake, feeding behaviour and ruminal pH in dairy goats
Résumé
Sub-clinical acidosis (ruminal pH below 6.0) mainly concerns dairy ruminants and is associated with high levels of concentrate in the diet. It is frequently studied from digestive and metabolic points of view and feeding behaviour is seldom taken into account. The aim of this study was to compare, in the same eight mid-lactation goats, the kinetics of dry matter intake, feeding behaviour and rumen pH using two diets differing in their concentrate percentage: control (30 % DM basis) vs acidogenic (60 %). When the goats received the acidogenic diet, their dry matter intake was increased, they spent less time eating and ruminating, made more idling meals, and spent more time resting. Their minimum ruminal pH was on average lower. Feeding behaviour and level of intake can explain variations in pH. The originality of this work lies in the fact that data have been integrated from different research areas, which is seldom performed with goats.
Domaines
Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]
Origine : Accord explicite pour ce dépôt
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