[Quantitative analysis of the rythm of feeding and merycismal activities].

The nycterohemeral eating and ruminating patients were studied in 6 heifers given ad libitum access to grass or corn silage in a 2 period cross-over design. Rhythm components (no of cycles/24 h) were characterized by the finite Fourier transform of hourly means of the 24 h mastication activities. Rhythm components 1, 3 and 4 contributed considerably to explaining the total dispersion of 24 h eating and ruminating mastication series.