Comportamento ingestivo de novilhas leiteiras de três grupos raciais obtidos com dispositivos automáticos

<p>This study aimed to evaluate the feeding behavior of 24 heifers divided into three genetic groups (Holstein, ½ Gyr x ½ Holstein and Gyr), housed in free stall barn fitted with electronic feed bins and water troughs (INTERGADO^®) during 30 days. The diet forage: concentrate ratio was set to 82:18 (DM basis). No difference (p>0.05) was observed among the treatments for metabolic body weight (BW^0.75), DM intake related to BW^0.75, number of feed bins total visits without intake (FBTVWI), number of visited feeders (VF), total time in feeder (TTF), water intake (WaI) and WaI related to BW, BW^0.75 and DM, number of water trough total visits (WTTV), number of water trough total visits with intake (WTTVI), number of water troughs visited (WTV) and effective water intake time (EWIT). Difference was observed (P≤0.05) among the treatments for BW, DMI, number of feed bins total visits (FBTV), number of feed bins visits with intake (FBTVI), effective feed intake time (EFIT) and dry matter intake rate (DMIR). The dry matter and water intakes did not suffer influence from genetic groups when related to BW^0.75. The Gyr breed heifers presented higher numbers of feed bins total visits (FBTV) and feed bins visits with intake (FBTVI) and lower dry matter intake rate (DMIR) compared to the other groups. </p> <p> </p