Behavioral activity budget of grower Beetal kids offered total mixed ration under stall-fed system

This study investigates the behavioral activities of grower Beetal kids fed in a conventional method -control group manner or given total mixed ration (TMR) (i.e. hay -based - T-1 and green fodder -based - T-2). Twenty-four weaned Beetal kids were enrolled and randomly distributed into 3 groups based on their body weight, sex, and age. Behavioral observations were recorded 30 min after giving experimental ration to the kids using the scan sampling method for 1 h, which inferred time spent eating normally, eating with forelegs on the cage, and eating with forelegs on the feeders; standing idle and urination were significantly higher in the control group than in the T-1 and T-2 groups (p < 0.01). Agonistic activities like bunting were numerically higher for Beetal kids fed with hay -based TMR, followed by the T-2 and control groups (not significantly affected). Grooming using other inanimate objects in the pen (p < 0.01) and pawing the ground (p < 0.05) were found to be significantly higher in the T-1 group than in the other groups. Animals in the hay -based TMR-fed group also spent significantly (p < 0.01) more time ruminating while standing compared to the control and T-2 groups. During normal sitting activity, the variations were statistically higher (p < 0.05) for the green fodder -based TMR group than the other groups. The haybased TMR-fed group consumed the offered feed with more relish, ate more quickly, and showed agonistic activities among mates in their cages or pens.