An automatic system to record and analyse chewing behaviour

In order to be able to optimally evaluate the measurement data obtained, the department developed its own evaluation software. The result of the evaluation is a file containing the duration of the individual periods, the total duration  and the number of chewing strokes for each behavioral category (eating, rumination and non-feeding mouth activities). This is followed by an evaluation using standard statistical programs.

With the aim of recording chewing movements better than before, a new measurement method was developed in the department. A sensor-logger unit integrated into an adjustable halter is used to record jaw movements, which enables the discrete temporal recording of jaw movements with a high resolution. The sensor records changes in tension, which can be directly assigned to the degree of jaw opening. The quasi-analogue recording makes it possible to record intermediate stages and to optimize model approaches with which the individual activities can be distinguished from one another.

When feeding dairy cows, the structural supply is often very limited due to the limited feed intake capacity and a high concentrate intake to cover the energy requirement. This contradicts the goal of "ruminant-friendly" feeding.
In the past, measurements of eating and rumination activity were used as an indirect instrument for assessing the structural effectiveness of feed.

Due to the large number of factors influencing feeding and ruminant activity and their interactions, the demands on comprehensive measurement technology are very high. In order to achieve the most precise recording possible, continuous parallel measurements must be carried out on several animals over a longer period of time. Previous measurement methods have shown considerable inaccuracies and limitations with regard to the exact differentiation of individual chewing bouts and practicable data acquisition over several days.

Biologist Uwe Richter