In addition a control (C) group of 12 heifers received a higher level of feeding (1.2 Mn).
Any small differences in DM or N digestibility (1 to 2 percentile points) are attributed to decreased metabolizability of the diet and increased heat increment of feeding at higher levels of feed intake above maintenance (Ferrell and Jenkins, 1985).
Ruminants attempt to select a diet that promotes high level of feed intake (Cooper et al., 1996).
In conclusion, a high level of feeding during early pregnancy of prolific gilts did not reduce embryo survival and had no beneficial nor detrimental effects on embryo size and variability at 27 days of gestation.
This study was designed to investigate the influence of a high level of feeding during early gestation on embryonic survival and variability of embryonic development in hyperprolific LW gilts.
Higher level of concentrate fed to organic cows in recent years is probably an important factor for higher reproductive efficiency in organic cows than ten years ago.
Low availability of fruit can potentially increase intragroup feeding competition, and, thus, species with fission fusion dynamics are an interesting study system as they might be able to reduce or avoid high levels of feeding competition by adjusting their grouping patterns [Asensio et al., 2009; Basabose, 2004; Chapman, 1990b; Itoh & Nishida, 2007; Shimooka, 2003; Symington, 1988].
This was the case in the sugar-poor oasis where a 100-fold higher level of plant tissue feeding was observed.
The decrease in estrus activity and percentage of dark-cutting carcasses, however, may suggest an economic advantage of feeding a higher level of MGA to finishing heifers.
Second, we tested whether dominant females reduce rates of aggression in response to higher levels of pup feeding by helpers, which was simulated by playing back feeding calls.
