Holstein heifers’ behavior fed with pre-dried silage from Tifton 85 grass (Cynodon spp.)

Abstract

The use of pre-dried silage from Tifton 85 grass can be a good option of quality forage for animal feeding. The main objective was to evaluate the behavior of the Holstein heifers fed with pre-dried silage, the grass Tifton 85, replacing the corn silage (0, 33, 66 and 100%). Sixteen animals were distributed in four treatments and remained in feedlot system for 21 days. Behavioral assessments were carried out in the last four days of the trial period during 24 hours, through the instant collection route, with sampling intervals of 10 minutes and type scan sampling route. The frequency of urination, defecation and water intake were also recorded. A completely randomized design with four treatments (0, 33, 66 e 100% of corn silage replacement for pre-dried grass silage of Tifton 85), and four repetitions (number of animals per treatments).The rumination time was influenced by diet, being the highest values (39.76%) observed for animals fed with corn silage. Sleeping behavior influenced food, ranging from 5.81 to 9.28%, to levels of 0 and 66% corn silage replacement for pre-dried grass silage of Tifton 85, respectively. The frequency that the animals drank water, defecated and urinated showed no difference among the treatments. The replacement of corn silage by the pre-dried silage of Tifton 85 grass did not cause changes in the behavior of the animals during the studied period.