Abstract:

[Objective] To determine the effects of feeding frequency on daily behaviors of multiparous and primiparous lactating Holstein cows. [Method] A total of 28 healthy Holstein cows, 14 multiparous and 14 primiparous, with approximately 100 days in milk （DIM） were randomly selected. They were assigned to 1 of 2 groups with 7 multiparous and 7 primiparous individuals for each group. The group 1 fed thrice a day and the group 2 fed twice a day. The daily behaviors such as feed intake, lying in bedding, lying in playfield, standing in bedding, standing in playfield, standing in passage, drinking at trough, using body brushing, and licking salt brick were observed for 5 consecutive days, and the daily occurring frequency and duration of the behaviors were recorded and statistically compared between the two groups. [Result] For both multiparous and primiparous lactating cows, when the feeding times changed from thrice a day to twice a day, the occurring frequency and duration of daily feed intake was significantly （P<0.05） reduced, while the duration of daily total lying （in bedding and playfield） was significantly （P<0.05） increased. With either feeding thrice a day or twice a day, the duration of daily lying in bedding, lying and standing in bedding and licking salt brick in multiparous lactating cows was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that of the primiparous lactating cows, while no significant （P>0.05） differernces in occurring frequency and duration of daily feed intake, total lying （in bedding and playfield）, total standing （in bedding and playfield） and drinking at trough were observed between multiparous and primiparous lactating cows. [Conclusion] The reduction of feeding times significantly affected the occurring frequency and duration of daily feed intake as well as duration of daily total lying of multiparous and primiparous lactating cows.

Key words: lactating cows, pluriparity, primiparity, feeding frequency, daily behaviors