Vol. 9, Issue 3, Part F (2025)

The effect of different feeding systems (cafeteria and total mixed ration/TMR feeding) on the voluntary intake and intake behavior of Black Bengal kids was evaluated in this study. Twelve Black Bengal growing kids were housed indoors and were allocated to two age groups (six kids each): 3-6 months (AGE 1) and 9-12 months (AGE 2) and were fed on four treatments/diets such as T₁(Free choice Paddy straw, Berseem, Oats, Jackfruit leaves, Guinea grass), T₂ (Free choice Paddy straw, Berseem, Oats, Jackfruit leaves, Guinea grass and Concentrate mixture (@ 1.25% of BW)), T₃ (Five fodders offered in T₁ mixed together as TMR) and T₄ (Five fodders and concentrate mixture offered in T₂ were mixed together as TMR). Feeds were offered for two hours during the morning (9 am to 11 am) and during the evening (5 pm to 7 pm). The study lasted 41 days and was conducted in 3 cycles/batches when a representative sample of feeds and residue was collected every day throughout the experimental period. Observations of each animal under each treatment/diet were recorded using CCTV cameras for further analysis of recorded data. The total number of bouts per day taken by kids and total time spent (in minutes) per day was significantly (p<0.01) higher in T₄ (TMR with concentrate mixture) than in other treatments. There was a significant (p<0.01) increase in total number of bouts per day in AGE 2 (older kids). Kids under T₄ (p<0.001) and in AGE 2 (p<0.01) had significantly higher voluntary intake in terms of total DMI (g/day/kid). Average DMI/bout, OMI/bout, and CPI/bout of kids of different age groups were significantly (p<0.01) higher in T₄. However, NDFI/bout of kids was significantly (p<0.01) higher in T₁ and T₄. The average DMI rate, OMI rate, and NDFI rate (g/minute) of kids of different age groups were significantly (p<0.01) higher in T₁. However, the average CPI rate (g/minute) of kids under different age groups was significantly highest in T₂. The majority of the macro and micro mineral intake/bout and intake rate (per minute) was higher from concentrate-incorporated diets T₄ and T₂.