| Influence of free-choice vs mixed-ration diets on food intake and performance of fattening calves. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 11811457 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Research findings and management recommendations typically emphasize responses of the "average" individual, yet more than half of the animals in a group may differ significantly from the mean regarding food preference and intake. The productivity of a herd may be adversely affected if animals differing from the mean are fed a uniform diet formulated to meet the needs of the "average" individual. We compared the intake and performance of beef calves offered a choice or no choice among foods. Diets consisted of ad libitum access to either a chopped, mixed ration of rolled barley (31.3%), rolled corn (31.3%), corn silage (15.5%), and alfalfa hay (18.9%) (n = 16 calves) or a choice among those foods offered individually (n = 15 calves). Averaged across the 63-d trial, the two groups did not differ in ratios of protein to energy ingested (43 vs 43 g CP/Mcal ME; P = 0.50), but preference for foods high in energy or protein varied markedly for animals fed free-choice: on d 21 they had protein:energy ratios higher than those of animals fed the mixed ration, on d 2 the ratios were equal, and on d 40 they had protein:energy ratios lower than those of animals fed the mixed ration. Throughout the trial, no two animals consistently chose the same ingredients, and none selected a diet similar to the nutritionally balanced mixed ration, yet each animal ate a diet adequate to meet its needs. Animals offered the mixed ration tended to eat more than animals offered a choice (109 vs 102 g/kg MBW/d; P = 0.10), but they did not gain at a faster rate (0.89 vs 0.92 kg/d; P = 0.65). Gain/unit of food consumed also was similar for both groups (0.09 vs 0.10 kg/kg; P = 0.38). However, food cost/day was higher for animals fed the mixed ration than for those offered a choice ($1.58 vs $1.36; P = 0.03). Consequently, cost/kilograms of gain was higher for the mixed ration than for the choice group ($1.84 vs $1.49/kg; P = 0.045). These findings suggest that 1) animals can more efficiently meet their individual needs for macronutrients when offered a choice among dietary ingredients than when constrained to a single diet, even if it is nutritionally balanced; 2) transient food aversions compound the inefficiency of a single mixed diet by depressing intake even among animals suited to that nutritional profile; and 3) alternative feeding practices may allow producers to efficiently capitalize on the agency of animals, thus reducing illness and improving performance. |
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Authors:
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S B Atwood; F D Provenza; R D Wiedmeier; R E Banner |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of animal science Volume: 79 ISSN: 0021-8812 ISO Abbreviation: J. Anim. Sci. Publication Date: 2001 Dec |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2002-01-28 Completed Date: 2002-05-14 Revised Date: 2006-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8003002 Medline TA: J Anim Sci Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 3034-40 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Rangeland Resources, Utah State University, Logan 84322, USA. Stan@cc.usu.edu |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animal Feed
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economics* Animals Cattle / physiology* Choice Behavior / physiology* Diet / veterinary* Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage Eating / physiology* Energy Intake / physiology Female Food Preferences Male Time Factors |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Dietary Proteins |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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