The objective of this trial was to study the effects of different dietary levels of forage neutral detergent fiber (FNDF) on feeding behavior of lactating goats. Fifty Alpine goats were randomly assigned to five treatments (ten replicates) in a completely randomized design. Animals had free access to diets containing: 20, 27, 34, 41 or 48% of FNDF. The total mixed ration was constituted of Tifton-85 (Cynodon sp.) hay and concentrate composed of ground corn (Zea mays L.), soybean meal (Glycine max L.), and minerals. Diets were fed twice a day at 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM. Feeding behavior was determined by individual appraisal of animals every 10 minutes during 24 hours to measure eating, ruminating, and resting times. Eating, ruminating, and total chewing times increased linearly whereas the opposite was observed for resting time when FNDF levels ranged from 20 to 48% of the diet. Linear decreases on feeding and rumination efficiencies both expressed as g DM/h, and a linear increase in the number of daily meals were observed with the increment of dietary FNDF.
feed intake; goats; fiber; resting time; rumination
