Short communication: Short-term changes in stocking density did not alter meal characteristics of lactating Holstein dairy cattle

The study objectives were to determine the effect of short-term increases in stocking density and milking on meal duration, meal frequency, and time between meals and to determine the bioequivalence of different meal criterions in a competitive environment. Forty-eight Holstein dairy cows were allotted to 1 of 4 groups (n = 12 per group). Stocking density treatments of 100 (one cow per freestall and headlock), 113, 131, and 142% were assigned to groups using a 4 × 4 Latin square with treatments imposed for 14-d periods. On d 11 of each period, feeding time was recorded for 24 h using 10-min scan samples from direct observation. Meals were defined as repeated observations of eating with a maximum of 20, 30, or 40 min of not eating between observations constituting the same meal. A new meal was established when a cow was observed feeding and then not feeding for greater than 2 (20 min), 3 (30 min), or 4 (40 min) observations. To evaluate diurnal effects, the 24-h period of data was divided into 8-h intervals (based on milking time); morning (0400-1200 h), afternoon (1200-2000 h), and night (2000-0400 h). Feed delivery occurred daily at 0430 h, with feed pushed up throughout the day. A mixed linear model was used to determine the effect of stocking density and time of day on meals per day, meals per hour, meal duration, time between meals, and meal duration 2 h before and after milking. Regardless of stocking density, meal duration, meal frequency, meals per hour, and time between meals did not differ. Regardless of stocking density, mean meal duration was longer during the morning and afternoon compared with night. Meal duration was also greater after milking compared with before milking, regardless of stocking density. These results suggest meal length decreased throughout the day, relative to feed delivery, with periodic increases in length due to return from milking. Meals per hour, meal duration before and after milking, and meal frequency established bioequivalence for the 20-, 30-, and 40-min meal criteria. Bioequivalence was not met for meal duration when the meal criterion was increased from 20 to 40 min. Short-term increases in stocking density of 14-d duration did not affect the feeding pattern of lactating dairy cows, indicating that mid-lactation dairy cows can compensate for reduced feed bunk access during short-term overstocking. When calculating feeding behaviors, including meal frequency and time between meals, using a meal criterion of 20, 30, or 40 min resulted in similar outcomes when using 10-min scan samples. Future studies should investigate changes in other behaviors, such as resting, which may be altered to compensate for reduced access to the feed bunk.