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The objective of this dissertation was to determine the effects of different feed delivery methods on the behaviour, rumen health, and growth, as well as on the learning of behaviour of pre-pubertal dairy heifers. Thirty-two Holstein dairy heifers were fed, for 13 weeks, a ration of haylage and concentrate presented either as a total mixed ration (TMR) or top-dressed ration (TDR). All heifers were then switched to an unfamiliar TMR for 7 weeks. Heifers fed the TMR were able to more evenly distribute their feeding activity throughout the day and competed less for feed. These behaviours persisted across the ration change, suggesting that the animals had been conditioned to their feeding experience. Heifers fed the TMR also maintained more solid fecal consistency across the experiment, indicating that the effects on rumen health were persisting, as a direct result of the continuation and persistence of desirable feeding patterns and habits.

The objective of this study was to examine the behavioural and growth responses of dairy heifers when a low-nutritive feedstuff was provided with a limit-fed ration. Twenty-four Holstein dairy heifers, divided in groups of 4, were exposed to each of 3 treatments in a replicated Latin square design with 28-d periods. The treatments included: limit-fed total mixed ration (TMR) and limit-fed TMR with straw as choice or mixed in. There were no differences in growth with limit feeding versus limit feeding with the provision of straw. However, the provision of straw alongside the limit-fed ration, feeding time was increased, inactive standing and unrewarded feeding time was reduced and rumination behaviour tended to increase, but did reduce feed efficiency. The results suggest that provision of straw, alongside a limit-fed ration, will allow heifer growth rates to be met, as well allow heifers to satisfy their natural feeding behaviour patterns.