[Effect of feeding rhythm on digestive activities and diurnal variation in rumen content in sheep].

Three feeding frequencies of late-cut grass hay (two times per day at 8 h interval, once a day, two times per day at 12 h interval) were compared in sheep fitted or not with a rumen fistula. The following parameters were recorded: daily dry matter intake, ingestive activities, reticulorumen load before and after the large meal following each feeding. The daily dry matter intake was not significantly affected by the treatments although it tended to be lower with one only feeding per day. The animals consumed a larger meal after a single feeding in the morning than after two feedings and they thereafter had more small meals during the day. The total time spent eating and ruminating was similar for the three treatments, always with more time spent ruminating in the night than in the day. Whatever the feeding interval (8 or 12 h), the weight of the reticulorumen content was higher after the evening meal.