Consequences of social stress and the influence of flavouring agents on ingestive behaviour of feedlot steers

A first study was carried out to determine the effect of decreasing the access to feeder space on several behavioral and performance parameters. There was no difference in the rate of intake between groups A and C, and total intake between groups A and B. Groups A and B appeared to have established definite feeding orders (p $<$ 0.01). Group C had a less established feeding order than A or B (p $<$ 0.05). A second study was designed to determine the effect of adding flavouring agents to grass silage at feeding time on intake. The flavouring agents chosen were monosodium glutamate (MSG), aspartame (Asp), sodium chloride (NaCl), and hydrochloric acid (HCl). Results suggest that addition of MSG may be of possible practical use as a silage additive to increase silage intake by feedlot steers. It can be concluded that a certain level of competition can increase feed consumption in group feeding situations, and that animals do not benefit from being fed individually. This study also suggests that addition of certain flavouring agents to silage may alter intake of silage by feedlot steers. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).