Detailed genetic analysis of feeding behaviour in Romane lambs and links with residual feed intake

• Published in: Journal of animal breeding and genetics (1986) Vol. 136; no. 3; pp. 174 - 182
• Main Authors: Marie‐Etancelin, Christel, Francois, Dominique, Weisbecker, Jean‐Louis, Marcon, Didier, Moreno‐Romieux, Carole, Bouvier, Frédéric, Tortereau, Flavie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-05-2019; Wiley
• Subjects: Animal behavior; Animal species; Breeding; Correlation; Feed efficiency; Feeders; Feeding; Feeding behavior; feeding behaviour; Genetic analysis; genetic parameter; Heritability; Life Sciences; Other; Physical growth; residual feed intake; sheep; Weaning; feeding behaviour; genetic parameter; sheep; residual feed intake
• ISSN: 0931-2668; 1439-0388
• DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12392

Breeding strategies based on feed efficiency are now implemented in most animal species using residual feed intake (RFI) criteria. Although relevant, the correlated responses of feeding behaviour traits resulting from such selection on RFI are poorly documented. We report the estimated feeding behaviour at three time levels (visit, meal and day) and genetic parameters between the feeding behaviour traits and their links with RFI and its components. Feed intake, feeding duration at three time levels (per visit, meal and day), feeding rate, number of visits and time‐between‐visits were estimated for 951 Romane lambs fed via automatic concentrate feeders. Heritability estimates of feeding behaviour traits ranged from 0.19 to 0.54 with higher estimates for the day level than the visit level. Daily feed intake was not genetically linked to feed intake at the visit level, whereas feeding duration between visit and day levels was moderately correlated (Rg = +0.41 ± 0.12). RFI was not significantly correlated with feeding rate, but was positively linked to feed intake and feeding duration at the day level (+0.73 ± 0.09 and +0.41 ± 0.13, respectively) and negatively at the visit level (−0.33 ± 0.14 and −0.22 ± 0.17, respectively). Selecting animals with lower RFI values might modify their feeding behaviour by increasing feed intake and feeding duration at the visit level but decrease the number of visits per day (+0.51 ± 0.14).