HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Welch, J. G. Articles by Smith, A. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Welch, J. G. Articles by Smith, A. M.

Influence of Fasting on Rumination Activity in Sheep¹

University of Vermont, Burlington²

Abstract

In two experiments, using a total of eight rams,24-hr, recordings of jaw movements were made during normal roughage feeding periods and during fasts of 56 and 72 hours. Marked diurnal patterns in rumination time were observed; the peak of rumination activity occurred during the night. Fasting produced a rapid decline in normal rumination activity which ceased after 36 hr. of fast. Normal rumination was partially replaced by intermittent regurgitation patterns, which showed the same diurnal variation as normal rumination but was independent of feed ingestion. Upon refeeding, rumination was initiated soon after the end of the first meal, and increased to normal levels within 24 hours. During normal feeding periods the average time spent ruminating per 24 hr. was 8 hr. 57 min. in experiment 1, and 8 hr. 35 min. in experiment 2. In experiments 1 and 2, respectively, average eating time was 5 hr. 37 min. and 6 hr. 15 min.; average idling time was 9 hr. 26 min. and 9 hr. 10 minutes.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director as Paper No.202 Journal series, Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Department of Animal and Dairy Science.