Effects of feeding frequency and adding plant oil to diet on performance and feeding behavior of lactating Holstein dairy cows

The objectives of this experiment were to investigate the effect of feeding frequency and oil supplementation to the diet on performance and feeding behavior of lactating dairy cows. Twenty four lactating Holstein cows، 12 primiparous، (BW = 626 ± 58 Kg and DIM = 195 ± 44 day) and 12 multiparous، (BW = 617 ± 25 Kg and DIM = 207 ± 39 day) were randomly assigned to the four diets contained 2. 5 percent supplemental oil or no oil and feeding frequency of 3 or 1 time per day in a randomized complete block design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement. Frequency of feed delivery and oil supplementation had no effect on dry matter intake. Oil supplementation reduced slug feeding especially with feeding once per day (P < 0. 05). Feeding frequency and oil supplementation interaction tended to significant for milk yield (P = 0. 09)، as there was a numerical increase in milk yield in oil 3 time feeding with oil diet. The cows fed oil diet in 3 time feed delivery had lower milk protein (P < 0. 05)، but milk fat increased with 1 time feeding and oil supplementation (P < 0. 05). The results showed that oil supplementation to mid lactating cows diet can decreased compromised effects of decreasing feeding frequency.