Physical Stimulation of Rumination Activity

Five experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of feeding polypropylene ribbon on rumination of sheep and cattle. In each experiment, rumination time was greatly reduced by feeding either alfalfa meal pellets, a 16% protein pelleted concentrate mixture or both. In experiments 1 and 2, feeding of 50 g/day 5 cm length polypropylene ribbon produced normal rumination while controls continued at minimal levels. In experiment 3, a fistulated steer was similarly fed alfalfa meal pellets and pelleted concentrate and was given 1,500 g of 5 cm polypropylene ribbon through the rumen fistula. Rumination activity was reestablished following the polypropylene administration and the rumination patterns were normal. Particle size reduction was gradual and 713 g of the original dose was recovered from the rumen at the end of 14 days. Introducing 30 cm polypropylene ribbon into the rumens of sheep by stomach tube in experiments 4 and 5 did not produce normal rumination patterns but stimulated intermittent regurgitation. In experiment 4, 77% of the administered polypropylene was recovered from the rumens of the treated rams after 83 days. These studies indicate that ( 1 ) physical form is a major stimulating factor in the rumination process, and (2) to be effective in promoting normal rumination, fibrous material must be in a form that can be regurgitated.