Abstract The feed bunk is a place of high competition for dairy goats, and high variability in feeding behaviour occurs; thus, it is necessary to understand why individuals respond differently when experiencing different feeding conditions. The objective of this study was to determine how personality traits affect competitive feeding behaviours of goats when feeding at a range of heights. Thirteen goats were provided one of three feeder heights (floor-, head-, and elevated-level) daily in a group pen under competitive feeding conditions and behaviours after feed delivery were recorded. Personality traits were assessed from behavioural responses toward two novelty and two fear tests; principal components analysis revealed four personality traits that were consistent over time: bold, fearful, exploratory and active-escape. These personality traits affected competitive behaviours, and often depended on feeder height. ‘Bold’ goats initiated more aggressive interactions, especially behind the floor-level feeder, and had greater feeding times; the opposite was observed in ‘fearful’ goats, which more often waited for access to the feeder. ‘Exploratory’ goats were less involved in aggressive interactions and spent less time feeding at the floor-level feeder, and more time feeding at the elevated-level feeder. While the findings are limited to a single group of goats, our pilot study suggests that personality traits may explain variability in feeding aggression and feeding time of goats under competitive feeding conditions, and that these differences may be promoted by feed offered at different heights. Further work is needed in larger groups of goats to understand why individuals appear to cope with competitive feeding practices in different ways.

中文翻译：

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奶山羊的性格影响不同饲养高度的竞争性饲养行为

摘要 料仓是奶山羊竞争激烈的场所，饲养行为发生高度变异；因此，有必要了解为什么个体在经历不同的喂养条件时会有不同的反应。本研究的目的是确定性格特征如何影响山羊在不同高度喂食时的竞争性喂食行为。13 只山羊在竞争性饲养条件下每天在一组围栏中提供三种饲养高度之一（地板、头部和升高的高度），记录饲料交付后的行为。根据对两个新奇测试和两个恐惧测试的行为反应来评估个性特征；主成分分析揭示了四个长期一致的人格特征：大胆、恐惧、探索和主动逃避。这些个性特征会影响竞争行为，并且通常取决于饲养者的身高。“大胆”山羊发起了更积极的互动，特别是在地板喂食器后面，并且有更多的喂食时间；在“恐惧”山羊中观察到相反的情况，它们更多地等待进入喂食器。“探索性”山羊较少参与攻击性互动，在地板喂食器上花费的时间更少，在高架喂食器上喂食的时间更多。虽然这些发现仅限于一组山羊，但我们的试点研究表明，性格特征可以解释在竞争性喂养条件下山羊的喂养攻击性和喂养时间的变异性，并且这些差异可能会因不同高度的饲料而产生。