Abstract: The objectives of this study were to characterize the feeding,rumination and idleness behavior and nutrient apparent digestibility at different lactation stages in dairy cows.Eight lactating cows with similar body weight and parity were selected in this experiment.Four cows were in the high lactation stage and four cows were in the late lactation stage.All cows were fed for 20 days in preliminary trial period and 15 days in the formal trial period.The results showed that the daily intake of dairy cows in the high lactation period was 21.2 kg DM,which was significantly higher than that in the late lactation period (14.1 kg DM,P<0.01).While there was no significant difference in the intake time and frequency between the two groups (P>0.05),the intake time per kilogram of DM of dairy cows in the high lactation period was significantly lower than that in the late lactation period (P<0.01).The total daily rumination time was significantly lower in high lactation group than in late lactation group (P<0.01),and the rumination time per kilogram of DMI was significantly lower in high lactation group than in late lactation group (P<0.01).There was no significant difference in lying,walking and standing duration between the two groups (P>0.05).The apparent digestibility of dietary NDF and ADF of dairy cows in high lactation period was significantly lower than in the late lactation period (P<0.01).The apparent digestibility of NDF for the dairy cows in high and late lactation period was 55.8% and 67.8%,respectively,and the apparent digestibility of ADF for the dairy cows in high and late lactation period was 44.2% and 60.7%,respectively.