Forage intake by black-tailed deer in a natural environment: bout dynamics

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 1118-1128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Gillingham ◽  
Katherine L. Parker ◽  
Thomas A. Hanley
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Leaf Size ◽  
Odocoileus Hemionus ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Active Time ◽  
Skunk Cabbage ◽  
Forage Intake ◽  
Odocoileus Hemionus Sitkensis ◽  
Free Ranging

We examined the within-bout and seasonal dynamics of intake rate for free-ranging tractable black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) throughout a 2-year period. Based on log frequency analyses of 487 complete active bouts, we concluded that active bouts consisted of a series of foraging bouts separated by ~2 min of nonforaging activity. Black-tailed deer spent ~92% of their active time foraging, independent of sex or season. Dry matter intake rates varied significantly with season, from ~0.5 g/min active in winter up to 1.5 g/min in summer, but few differences were attributable to sex. The large leaf size of skunk-cabbage (Lysichiton americanum) enabled deer to attain and sustain intake rates that approached predicted theoretical Rmax values of 10–12 g dry matter/min (L.A. Shipley and D.E. Spalinger. 1992. Can. J. Zool. 70: 1743–1752). Daily dry matter intake varied from 300 g/day in winter to > 1300 g/day in summer. Deer maintained a constant intake rate throughout only one-third of all active periods; intake was reduced at the end of ~40% of-all bouts, while intake rates increased towards the end of 30% of bouts. We discuss the implications of these dynamics for sampling of incomplete bouts, which is frequently employed by observers. Finally, we discuss the importance of selected, not available, biomass in understanding the foraging intake of ungulates.

Animal-unit equivalence of bison, wapiti, and mule deer in the aspen parkland of Alberta

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (7) ◽  
pp. 767-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.W. Kuzyk ◽  
R.J. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Slow Release ◽  
Mule Deer ◽  
Odocoileus Hemionus ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
East Central ◽  
Aspen Parkland ◽  
Forage Intake

Animal-unit equivalences needed for joint-stocking calculations of ungulates are rarely studied because of difficulties deriving accurate estimates of forage intake. We used indigestible internal and external markers (double n-alkane ratio) to determine animal-unit equivalence of bison ( Bison bison (L., 1758)), wapiti ( Cervus elaphus canadensis L., 1758), and mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus (Rafinesque, 1817)) in the aspen parkland of east-central Alberta. We hypothesized that dry matter intake would differ among species in absolute terms (kg·day–1) but not when expressed as percent body mass (%BM) or when related to metabolic mass (g·kg–1·day–1 BM0.75). We administered slow-release n-alkane capsules to 12 bison, 3 wapiti, and 11 mule deer and released them into separate 3–7 ha paddocks during summer and fall. Intake of dry matter by bison, wapiti, and mule deer differed significantly among species when expressed as total intake (p = 0.009) and %BM (p = 0.014) but not when related to metabolic mass (p = 0.237). Dry matter intake related to metabolic mass did not differ between bison and mule deer in any comparison despite a 6.8-fold difference in body size, suggesting that intake scales to metabolic mass, and is the preferred expression of animal-unit equivalents.

scholarly journals Influence of Residual Feed Intake and Cow Age on Dry Matter Intake Post-Weaning and Peak Lactation of Black Angus Cows

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1822
Author(s):  
Cory T. Parsons ◽  
Julia M. Dafoe ◽  
Samuel A. Wyffels ◽  
Timothy DelCurto ◽  
Darrin L. Boss
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Free Choice ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Two Stages

We evaluated heifer post-weaning residual feed intake (RFI) classification and cow age on dry matter intake (DMI) at two stages of production. Fifty-nine non-lactating, pregnant, (Study 1) and fifty-four lactating, non-pregnant (Study 2) commercial black Angus beef cows were grouped by age and RFI. Free-choice, hay pellets were fed in a GrowSafe feeding system. In Study 1, cow DMI (kg/d) and intake rate (g/min) displayed a cow age effect (p < 0.01) with an increase in DMI and intake rate with increasing cow age. In Study 2, cow DMI (kg/d) and intake rate (g/min) displayed a cow age effect (p < 0.02) with an increase in DMI and intake rate with increasing cow age. Milk production displayed a cow age × RFI interaction (p < 0.01) where both 5–6-year-old and 8–9-year-old low RFI cows produced more milk than high RFI cows. For both studies, intake and intake behavior were not influenced by RFI (p ≥ 0.16) or cow age × RFI interaction (p ≥ 0.21). In summary, heifer’s post-weaning RFI had minimal effects on beef cattle DMI or intake behavior, however, some differences were observed in milk production.

The effects of ruminal and duodenal casein infusion on intake of red clover silage, milk production and microbial protein synthesis

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 ◽  
pp. 123-123
Author(s):  
H. Khalili ◽  
P. Huhtanen ◽  
S. Jaakkola ◽  
T. Varvikko
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Cellulolytic Activity ◽  
Microbial Protein ◽  
Protein Supplements ◽  
High Quality Protein ◽  
Forage Intake

Enhanced cellulolytic activity in the rumen and improved balance between amino acids and energy have been suggested to increase silage dry matter intake in cows given high quality protein supplements. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of casein infused continuously into the rumen, duodenum or both on forage intake, milk yield, milk composition and microbial protein production.

scholarly journals THE EFFECT OF MOISTURE CONTENT OF FORAGE STORED IN POLYVINYL SILOS ON INTAKE AND PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY COWS

1964 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. S. Logan ◽  
P. S. Haydon
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Forage Intake ◽  
Silage Quality ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Gas Tight

Legume–grass forage was ensiled two seasons in 25-ton polyvinyl-encased stacks at dry matter (D.M.) levels of 22 to 37% or stored as field-cured hay. The polyvinyl sleeve coverings provided initial gas-tight conditions. High losses occurred in the high D.M. (32 to 37%) silage during the feeding-out period. Silage quality, as indicated by volatile fatty acid ratios, proximate principles, and digestibility coefficients, was not significantly influenced by D.M. content. When cows were fed the lower D.M. (22 to 29%) silages and hay, forage intake was inversely related to its dry matter content. Intake of high D.M. silage appeared abnormally low. Milk yields appeared to be more consistently influenced by small variations in grain intake than forage dry matter intake through both trials. Milk yields from silages were greater than from hay per unit of D.M. intake. Moisture content of forage had no significant effect on milk composition as indicated by percentage of butterfat, solids-not-fat, or protein.

Seasonal patterns in body mass, body composition, and water transfer rates of free-ranging and captive black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) in Alaska

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 1397-1404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine L. Parker ◽  
Michael P. Gillingham ◽  
Thomas A. Hanley ◽  
Charles T. Robbins
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Odocoileus Hemionus ◽  
Water Transfer ◽  
Transfer Rates ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Odocoileus Hemionus Sitkensis ◽  
Free Ranging

Body mass, body composition, and water transfer rates were determined over a continuous 2-year period in nine free-ranging Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis). Body masses showed a cyclical pattern, declined 14 – 31% between October and March, and were best described by a five-parameter, biologically based regression model. The amount of mass lost by black-tailed deer over winter depended on the peak body mass attained during fall. During winter, animals used 70 – 82% of their body fat and 10 – 15% of their protein reserves. Body fat was preferentially mobilized at rates 2.3 – 11.6 times higher than protein. Because of the higher energy content of fat, fat accounted for 83 – 92% of the catabolized energy. Water transfer rates varied seasonally with average summer values approximately four times those of winter; lactating deer had significantly higher rates of water transfer than nonlactating animals. Seasonal changes in all of the above parameters for wild deer were greater than those for eight deer of the same age in captivity.

scholarly journals Effect of Post-grazing Sward Height on Ingestive Behavior, Dry Matter Intake, and Milk Production of Holstein Dairy Cows

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Menegazzi ◽  
Pamela Yanina Giles ◽  
Matías Oborsky ◽  
Oliver Fast ◽  
Diego Antonio Mattiauda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Ingestive Behavior ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Evaluation Period ◽  
Sward Height

Sward height is strongly related to the daily dry matter intake of grazing dairy cows, which consequently determines animal performance. Despite that, few studies have explored the potential to increase milk production by managing post-grazing sward height. An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of three defoliation intensities on a Lolium arundinaceum-based pasture on frequency and length of grazing meals and ruminating bouts, daily grazing and ruminating time, feeding stations and patches exploration, and dry matter intake and milk production of dairy cows. The treatments imposed were three different post-grazing sward heights: control (TC), medium (TM), and lax (TL), which were managed with 6, 9, and 12 cm of post-grazing sward heights during autumn and winter, and 9, 12, and 15 cm of post-grazing sward heights during spring, respectively. Thirty-six autumn-calving Holstein cows were grouped by parity (2.6 ± 0.8), body weight (618 ± 48) kg, and body condition score (2.8 ± 0.2) and randomized to the treatments. The pasture was accessed from 08:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 03:00 during spring and no supplement was involved during the evaluation period. Daily grazing time averaged 508 ± 15 min and was not affected by treatment. The reduction of post-grazing sward height increased the length of the first grazing session in the morning and the afternoon. The number of grazing sessions was greater on TL than on TM, with no difference in TC. The number of feeding stations (the hypothetical semi-circle in front of an animal from which the bites were taken without moving the front forefeet) visited was less on TC than on TL, and neither of them differed from TM. Dry matter (DM) intake was lesser on TC than on TM and TL (14.7 vs. 17.8 kg DM). Milk production during the evaluation period was 13.1, 16.2, and 18.7 kg/day for TC, TM, and TL, respectively. The milk fat, protein, and lactose content did not differ between treatments. The cows on TC exhibited a lower intake rate, although they were less selective, probably as a consequence of the sward structure of TC treatment. The cows on TM adopted a compensation mechanism which allowed them to achieve the same dry matter intake as cows on TL, but lower milk production. The cows on TL were more selective than TC and TM resulting in higher digestible dry matter intake and consequently higher milk production. The intensity of defoliation impacts on the animal-plant interaction, and constitutes a valuable management tool that can be used to boost forage intake and milk production. The new developments on information technology would allow researchers to link behavioral data with response variables (e.g., milk production, health, welfare, etc.) at different spatio-temporal scales and support short and long-term management decisions.

Using n-alkane markers to estimate forage intake of mule deer

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (11) ◽  
pp. 1576-1583 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.W. Kuzyk ◽  
R.J. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Mule Deer ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Odocoileus Hemionus ◽  
East Central ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
Carbon Chains ◽  
Aspen Parkland ◽  
Consumption Rates ◽  
Forage Intake ◽  
Free Ranging

Dry matter intake (DMI) of free-ranging mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus (Rafinesque, 1817)) in the aspen parkland of east-central Alberta was estimated using the double n-alkane ratio and bite count methods. Eleven female mule deer were given an intraruminal capsule containing synthetic n-alkanes and released into 4–8 ha paddocks. Known concentration of even-chained carbon (C32) was released from the capsules and recovered 7–10 days later from freshly voided faeces. Odd carbon chains of adjacent length (C31:C33) were extracted from vegetation samples gathered during behavioural observations of four tame deer. Calculations from the pairings (C31:C32; C33:C32) provided estimates of DMI that ranged from 1.29 to 2.73 kg/day. DMI was highest during autumn, possibly to prepare for increased energy demands for the upcoming winter. No differences were found in seasonal or annual comparisons of bite rates, but bite sizes differed in all comparisons, suggesting bite size was a critical factor affecting consumption rates for mule deer on northern ranges. Maximum bite sizes rose from 49 ± 5 mg/bite in July to 213 ± 58 mg/bite in October. Maximum consumption rates were in October of both years (3.6–4.4 g/min) and occasionally approached theoretical maxima (14.3–15.6 g/min).

Adaptive rumen function in elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus)

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 601-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Spalinger ◽  
C. T. Robbins ◽  
T. A. Hanley
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Mule Deer ◽  
Odocoileus Hemionus ◽  
Liquid Volume ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Passage Rate ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
And Function

We tested the hypothesis that rumen function is adaptive to diet quality and intake rate using ruminally fistulated elk and mule deer. In experiment 1 we measured rumen particle-size distribution, rumen fill, and particle and liquid passage rates of animals fed three diets varying in quality (chopped pea, alfalfa, and wheat hays). In experiment 2, similar measurements were obtained on elk fed alfalfa hay ad libitum or at restricted intake levels. Rumen characteristics and passage rates of particles and liquids were similar for animals consuming alfalfa and pea hays. Intake, rumen dry-matter concentration and fill, and liquid passage rate were significantly lower when animals consumed wheat hay. Few significant differences in rumen characteristics or passage rates were found between animals fed alfalfa ad libitum or at restricted levels. Rumen liquid volume and dry-matter fill were related linearly to intake (r2 = 0.98 for both) in deer and elk fed alfalfa and pea hays. However, liquid volume and dry-matter fill of elk fed wheat hay and alfalfa at restricted levels were higher than the deer–elk interspecific regression, indicating an adaptive ruminal response. We concluded that rumen function was adaptive to both diet quality and availability, but that the response likely was subject to the limitations imposed by food characteristics and the inherent limitations of rumen structure and function.

Temporal aspects of feeding events in tammar (Macropus eugenii) and parma (Macropus parma) wallabies. I. Food acquisition and oral processing

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Lentle ◽  
I. D. Hume ◽  
K. J. Stafford ◽  
M. Kennedy ◽  
B. P. Springett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Food Acquisition ◽  
Macropus Eugenii ◽  
Temporal Aspects ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Oral Processing ◽  
Free Ranging

We studied parameters that influence the efficiency of food acquisition and oral processing in the tammar wallaby (a grazer) and the parma wallaby (a grazer/browser), both in captivity and under free range on Kawau Island, New Zealand.In captivity, both species spent less time feeding per gram of dry matter intake when browsing than when grazing, and there were no significant differences between the species with respect to the rates of feeding per gram of dry matter intake of a given food. However, under free-ranging conditions, tammar wallabies spent longer feeding than did parma wallabies, so it was likely that tammar wallabies spent more time grazing than browsing. Differences in the relationships between feeding event and inter-feed interval duration in captive and free-ranging wallabies indicated that feeding behaviour was influenced by different factors in the two situations.Microtemporal analysis of the chewing sounds of free-ranging tammar and parma wallabies showed that the interval between the first and second sounds in a 'run' of chewing sounds was longer than that between subsequent intervals, indicating that there was a time cost associated with food aquisition. However, as there were no significant differences between the two wallaby species, either in the mean duration of 'runs' of chewing sounds within feeding events or in the mean duration of whole feeding events, this cost was similar for grazing and browsing. Chewing characteristics differed from those of larger (eutherian) herbivores in that the numbers of chews in a run were not randomly distributed, both species having a preponderance of runs with seven chews. Whilst, the intervals between the second and subsequent chewing sounds in a run did not vary in a periodic manner, such as would occur in batch processing of food, they were more prolonged in runs with more chewing sounds and were significantly longer in tammar wallabies than in parma wallabies. Thus, the slower rate of oral processing of grass was likely due to a generally slower rate of chewing when grazing than when browsing.

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