OVERCOMING FOOD NEOPHOBIA IN DOMESTIC RUMINANTS THROUGH ADDITION OF AFAMILIAR FLAVOR AND REPEATED EXPOSURE TO NOVEL FOODS

Food neophobia, observed as a decreased intake of novel foods, can cau se significant livestock production losses. For example, in the transi tion from rangeland to feedlot, livestock are usually offered novel di ets that they sample cautiously, gradually increasing intake. This fam iliarization period can slow weight gains and increase time to slaught er. This research examines two ways to overcome food neophobia. First, we determined if the addition of a familiar flavor would increase the acceptance of a novel food. Lambs (n = 30) were fed barley, onion-fla vored barley, or onion-flavored rice twice a day for 4 days. All lambs were then offered onion-flavored rice. The lambs that had previously eaten onion-flavored barley ate more (P < 0.05) onion-flavored rice th an those that had previously eaten unflavored barley. Second, we exami ned if repeated exposure to novel foods increased the acceptance of su bsequent novel foods. Controlling for order of food offered, lambs (n = 72 total) were offered four novel foods (calf manna, corn, rice, and wheat bran) for 3 consecutive days each (12 days total). Lambs ate mo re (P < 0.05) of the fourth novel food than of the first novel food of fered. These results indicate that flavor generalization and repeated exposure to novel foods may increase the acceptance of novel foods. (C ) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.