Application of regulated feeding when growing heifers

The comparative efficiency of the use of regulated feeding in growing heifers in the age period from 6 to 18 months of age is given. The experiment was carried out according to the following scheme: the first group (control) and the second had free access to food during the day, i.e. normal feeding was used in it, but in the first one, 20 % of grain concentrates were fed from the total nutritional value, and in the second, 10 %. In other groups (the third and fourth), regulated feeding was used, and concentrates were also fed - in the third - 20 %, and in the fourth - 10% nutritionally. Regulated feeding had a positive effect on the palatability of feed. So, at 18 months in the fourth group, the live weight of heifers was the highest higher than in other groups by 0.6-27.3 kg. The average daily gain in live weight of heifers was higher when using regulated feeding. Ethological observations of heifers showed the advantages of regulated feeding compared to conventional. They have increased the time of rest and the allotted regulations for eating food were enough for them. In the "regulated" groups, the amount of profit was greater by 10.2-48.8 % than when feeding without regulation (the first and second groups). The level of profitability was also higher in these groups by 2.1-15.2 %.