The ruminating behavior of five Saanen crossbred goats was evaluated for susceptibility to exposure to three feeding treatments per day and four feeding treatments per day. The animals tested were fed at OO : OO, 08 : OO, and 16 : OO o'clock in three feeding treatments, and at OO : OO, 06 : OO, 12 : OO and 18 : OO o'clock in four feeding treatment. The experimental room was artificially lit for 24 hours. Ruminating behavior was significantly more active in the four feeding treatments than in the three feeding treatments (P<0.05-0.01), and decreased during the hour immediately after feeding in the three feeding treatments and the four feeding treatments. Ruminating time per bolus, time required between boli, number of chews required for bolus were significantly higher in the four feeding treatments than in the three feeding treatments (P<0.05-0.01). However, masticating behavior during eating was more active in the three feeding treatments than in the four feeding treatments, and increased during the hour immediately after feeding in the three feeding treatments and in the four feeding treatments. The decrease in ruminating behavior was brought about by the increase in masticating bahavior after feeding. The decrease in ruminating behavior and the increase in masticating behavior were depressed more in the four feeding treatments than in the three feeding treatments. It was concluded that the increased masticating behavior after feeding happened according to the frequency of feeding and tended to decrease ruminating behavior after feeding. Jpn. J. Livest. Management, 31(2) : 33 38. 1995 Received May 18,1995 Accepted August 15,1995.

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