The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of diets with different concentrate levels on feeding behavior of dairy goats. Eighteen native Brazilian dairy goats were allotted to a completely randomized design with three treatments and six replicates. Three different diets in a total mixed diet were ad libitum feed to the animals, with variation in forage:concentrate ratio of 62:38, 52:48, to 42:58 as fed. The experiment period was of 131 days, with 26 days for adaptation and 105 days for the data collection period. The higher intake of CP and lower intake of NDF, ADF and lignin were obtained as the percent of concentrate in the diet increased. The same pattern was observed for the ort material. Less weight and milk production was obtained, respectively, with higher and lower F:C ratio diets. The quality of the total mixed diet had a direct effect on the ability to choose the feed, increasing the goats performance. The reduction of the particle size of the forage could minimize the selection of the concentrate present in a total mixed diets for goats.
feed intake; milk production; selection
