Fecal Consistency as Related to Dietary Composition in Lactating Holstein Cows

• Published in: Journal of dairy science Vol. 76; no. 4; pp. 1074 - 1082
• Main Authors: Ireland-Perry, R.L., Stallings, C.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Savoy, IL Elsevier Inc 01.04.1993; Am Dairy Sci Assoc; American Dairy Science Association
• Subjects: ADDITIF; ADITIVOS; ALFALFA; ALIMENT POUR ANIMAUX; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; CARBOHIDRATOS; Cattle; CONTENIDO DE MATERIA SECA; Diet; diet composition; DIETA; Dietary Fiber - administration & dosage; Dietary Proteins - administration & dosage; ENSILADO; ENSILAGE (PRODUIT); fecal consistency; fecal starch; FECES; Feces - chemistry; Female; FIBRA DE LA DIETA; FIBRE ALIMENTAIRE; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; GLUCIDE; HECES; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lactation; LUZERNE; MAIS; MAIZ; Medicago sativa; Milk and cheese industries. Ice creams; Milk Proteins - analysis; PIENSOS; PROTEINAS; PROTEINE; REGIME ALIMENTAIRE; Silage; Starch - analysis; TENEUR EN MATIERE SECHE; VACAS LECHERAS; VACHE LAITIERE; Zea mays; diet composition; AC; S22; fecal starch; C; G22; S15; fecal consistency; LF; HF; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Lactation; Diet; Consistency; Ox; Chemical composition; Cow; Artiodactyla; Feces; Ungulata
• ISSN: 0022-0302; 1525-3198
• DOI: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(93)77436-6

A trial was designed to study the relationships of dietary fiber and protein percentage and source to fecal consistency in lactating cattle. Thirty Holstein cows were assigned randomly to one of six TMR through four 21-d periods. The TMR were formulated to contain 17 or 25% ADF and CP of 15 or 22% with soybean meal supplementation or 22% with a combination of corn gluten and soybean meals. Two forage combinations were corn silage with or without alfalfa. Fecal consistency was evaluated using a four-point visual observation scale. Lower dietary fiber reduced fecal pH, score, NDF, and ADF but increased fecal DM and starch. A higher percentage of soybean meal lowered fecal DM and fecal score. Forage source affected fecal DM, NDF, ADF, and starch, but not pH or score. Prediction of fecal score from dietary components and cow parameters resulted in dietary DM percentage and 4% FCM as the most related variables. Accurate prediction of fecal consistency score from dietary and cow parameters was not possible.