Abstract
The main purpose of the present study was to obtain a proper method of recording cattle behaviour by pasturing and by barn-feeding. Recordings were made at 1/2 min. interval and the result was compared with those taken at 5 min. and 10 min. interval from the same data. The time spent in the following activities of cattle were recorded for each animal: (1) Grazing or eating, (2) ruminating, (3) resting and (4) idling (only by pasturing). The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1) Three Japanese black beef cattle were used for pasturing and records were obtained for 15 hours from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. during two days. They received no supplementary feed. The time spent for grazing were 56.8%, 57.3% and 58.3% of total 15×2 hour observation at 1/2 min., 5 min. and 10 min. interval respectively. Ruminating were 21.3%, 21.1% and 20.7% for each observation method. There were no statistically significant difference among three observation methods. 2) In the case of barn-feeding, three Holstein milking cows were tested for 24 hours per day during 2 days. They were milked twice a day and received reasonable amount of corn silage, hay and concentrates. The time spent for eating were 20.1% by 1/2 min. and 5 min. intervals and 20.4% by 10 min. interval respectively. Ruminating time were 38.7%, 38.8% and 38.4%, and resting 41.2%, 41.1% and 41.2% for each observation method. It was found that there were no significant difference among recording methods. 3) As a result, it can be concluded that the 5 min. or 10 min. interval method should be recommended for the observation of main activities of cattle on practical view point.
